SCV Outdoor report author Wendy Langans considers the development of Rivendale Open Space and the impact it would have on the environment and the community at large.

Santa Clarita Outdoor Report by Wendy Langhans Children learn to communicate with gestures before they learn to communicate with words.  Around the age of 8-10 months, babies begin pointing at objects with their hands, an action known as “deictic gestures”.  Deictic gestures are gestures “that refer to something around the child — pointing, showing an object, or reaching for something.” Don’t miss a ...

In order to get a driver’s license in the state of California, you must have a visual acuity (keenness of vision) of 20/40. By those standards, rats would not be able to drive.

  Last week I led a wildflower hike along Wiley Canyon, part of the Towsley Canyon View Loop Trail.  The Wild California Lilac (Ceanothus) was in full bloom, so much so that at times it seemed as though we were walking through a bluish-purple haze.  And if you looked closely at the blossoms, you could see that the bees were ...

  Last week, we looked at what gives feathers their range of dull and vibrant colors, comparing reality to the LIVING COLOR of 20th century technology.  Fifty years after color TV’s became popular and affordable, our technology has greatly improved.  Now we have iPad’s with “Retina display” and “rich color saturation”.  So how does this newer digital version of “Living ...

 A peaceful Sunday afternoon – the perfect time to sit on the front porch.  From my rocking chair, I can see the hummingbirds as they refuel at our hummingbird feeder.  An agile bird, at times almost twitchy, I watch as one approachs the feeder.  The hummer gives it a brief look, followed by a dart forward, a quick drink, and ...

A red stop sign.  A flashing yellow light.  A sign along the trail displaying a coiled rattlesnake.  These are visual signals that tell us to slow down, back off or avoid the area.  In nature, these visual signs are known as aposematic coloration or markings.  They are used to warn potential predators to stay away.   That’s one reason why ...

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and the stores are full of pink cards and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate.  One of the iconic images of this season is of winged Cupid with his bow and quiver of arrows.  Did you ever wonder where this image came from?  I just assumed it was simply another one of those ancient Greek and Roman ...

How long does an application of nail polish last?  Regular nail polish begins to chip after few days.  Gel polish supposedly can last up two to three weeks.  But imagine a polish that can last for hundreds or even thousands of years?  There is such a polish and it is found on rocks in deserts throughout the world, including the ...