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Setting out on our Safari West adventure, we left civilization behind. Photo by Alex Coburn.

September 7, 2018

On Safari

Everyone was excited as we left civilization behind and set out on our Safari West adventure. Photo by Alex Coburn.

With camera in hand, Kathy and I have spent much of the last thirty years enjoying nature and searching for wildlife wherever we could find it. We’ve meandered through mountains, marshes, and meadows in seven states; we’ve trekked across deserts in California, Arizona, and Nevada; we’ve kayaked with great whales in Monterey Bay; and we’ve dived to the depths of the ocean in California, Hawaii, Key Largo, and the Caribbean. One place we’ve never gone in search of wildlife is Africa.

During the winter months, Kathy and I can count on seeing magnificent bald eagles at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This mature female was about to swoop down on a flock of unsuspecting coots. Photo by Steven T. Callan.

March 8, 2018

in Conservation Issues, Fish and Wildlife

by Steve

Saving a Place for Wildlife

During the winter months, Kathy and I can count on seeing magnificent bald eagles at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This mature female was about to swoop down on a flock of unsuspecting coots. Photo by author.

Late in November 1959, I was an eleven-year-old boy riding in the back seat of our family car as my father drove us north of Sacramento for the first time. I remember looking out the window and marveling at flocks of flying waterfowl and a vast landscape of wetlands, rice fields, grain fields, and open space—all the way to what was to be our new home in the tiny farming community of Orland. Today, as I drive north from Sacramento, I see miles and miles of orchards where not so much as a blade of grass is allowed to grow.

In six months, our tiny spotted fawn grew into a magnificent pre-adult buck, almost as large as his mother.

December 1, 2017

in Fish and Wildlife

by Steve

Our Deer Friends

Fawn looking up at doe. During the spotted-fawn stage, doe and fawn were almost inseparable, except when the fawn was hidden in the high grass. All photos by Steve and Kathy Callan.

During the thirty-plus years Kathy and I have lived in the foothills east of Redding, we’ve been treated to occasional visits from black-tailed deer. They generally don’t stay long—a day or two—then they move on. Sometimes they’ll pay us a visit at night while we’re sleeping. The next morning, a trail of partially eaten plants tells the tale.

Author Steven T. Callan and his wife, Kathy

October 27, 2017

in Personal Stuff

by Steve

Thank You

Hi, Everyone,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for supporting my writing adventure. Kathy and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with so many of you during our book tours throughout Northern and Central California. Thanks to you, Badges, Bears, and Eagles and The Game Warden’s Son have done extremely well. It’s because of your support, kind words, and encouragement that I’m now working on Book Number 3.

September 8, 2017

in Outdoor Adventures

by Steve

Tiny Fish and Gentle Giants

Kathy pointing at a pod of passing humpbacks in Monterey Bay out of Moss Landing. Photo by Steven T. Callan

Kathy pointing at a pod of passing humpbacks. Photo by author

It was early September when Kathy and I arrived in Pacific Grove to find the whole town buzzing with excitement. Something strange was going on, the likes of which no one had ever seen. Water temperatures in Monterey Bay were reportedly five degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Baitfish numbers were off the charts, and wherever anchovies, sardines, and other prey species swam, congregations of larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals followed. Among the marine mammals in relentless pursuit of these tiny, silver-sided fish were sea lions, dolphins, and the largest creatures on earth—the whales.

July 7, 2017

in Outdoor Adventures

by Steve

Revisiting the Eastern Sierra

Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower forty-eight states, is the peak in the background with the jagged spires. Photo by author.

My first opportunity to visit California’s magnificent Eastern Sierra came in late April 1975, while I was a young Fish and Game warden stationed on the Colorado River. During the next three and a half years, I was sent to the Eastern Sierra six more times. My assignments included working the opening weekend of trout season at Crowley Lake, the opening weekend of deer season near Walker, and covering the June Lake Loop while district warden “Bigfoot” Johnson was on vacation. Regardless the duty, I couldn’t wait to go.

Upper Yosemite Fall at Yosemite National Park, one of the crown jewels of America’s national park system. Photo by Steven T. Callan.

May 19, 2017

in Conservation Issues

by Steve

America’s National Parks Need Our Help Now More Than Ever

Upper Yosemite Fall at Yosemite National Park, one of the crown jewels of America’s national park system. Photo by author.

I’ve always believed that our national parks and our national monuments were as secure as Yosemite’s Half Dome: solid as a rock, inviolate, and well-protected from those who would try to diminish or exploit them. Sadly, that’s not the case.

Blog

On Safari

Saving a Place for Wildlife

Our Deer Friends

Thank You

Tiny Fish and Gentle Giants

Revisiting the Eastern Sierra

America’s National Parks Need Our Help Now More Than Ever

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