Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

#WildlifeWednesday brings us an American Bald Eagle stretching its wings during golden hour! Chosen for its majestic appearance and symbol of freedom & strength, the bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782. During the 1970's bald eagles were seriously endangered. They've since made a remarkable comeback and in 2007, they were removed from the Federal Endangered Species list - although they are still protected under multiple federal laws and r...egulations. The bald eagle is one of the largest birds in North America, with a wingspan typically longer than a Great Blue Heron. It dwarfs other raptors, including Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks. Adult bald eagles have white heads and tails, with dark brown bodies and wings. Their legs and bills are bright yellow. Juvenile bald eagles have mostly dark heads and tails; their brown wings and bodies are spotted with white in varying amounts. Young bald eagles attain adult plumage in about 5 years. Bald eagles can most commonly be found near lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes, and coasts. Around 4-5 years old, bald eagles will choose a mating partner through a courtship procedure including numerous calls and aerial displays. Once coupled, the two birds will mate for life. Only in the case where one eagle dies or disappears will the other find a new mate. The bird is not actually bald; its name derives from the conspicuous appearance of its white-feathered head. Swipe right to see a juvenile enjoying breakfast! [p] cred: @j.rod.photo #baldeagle #notactuallybald #mateforlife #castateparkstahoe

Let it snow, let it snow, let itburn! The small amount of snow on the ground at Sugar Pine Point State Park contributed to the necessary conditions for pile burning. Prescribed burning requires many factors to align including air temperature, wind speed, and vegetation moisture. On Monday, State Park Forester Rich Adams and his team burned 42 wood piles near the campground, which will result in a healthier forest ecosystem and open areas for snow play and winter recreation.... #firefriday #prescribedburns #landmanagement #stateparksforestry #healthyfire #sugarpinepointstatepark #laketahoebasin #goodfire Tahoe Living With Fire Tahoe Resource Conservation District

Watch a LIVE prescribed burn in Sugar Pine Point State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe! Learn about fire ecology and prescribed burning with California State Parks Forester, Rich Adams. Video taken today, 12/14/20 at 10:00 am. https://www.facebook.com/100019985019073/videos/660872401255588/

#WildlifeWednesday brings us a precariously perched Douglas squirrel! The Douglas Squirrel is sometimes known as the chickaree or pine squirrel, and lives in coniferous forest habitats along the Pacific Coast, from the Sierra Nevada (mountains) of California, northwards to the southwestern coast of British Columbia. They are territorial. In winter each squirrel occupies a territory of about 10,000 square meters, but during the breeding season a mated pair will defend a singl...e territory together. Douglas squirrels are active by day, throughout the year, often chattering noisily at intruders. In summer nights, they sleep in ball-shaped nests they make in the trees. During the winter they use holes in trees as nests. Groups of squirrels seen together during the summer are likely to be juveniles from a single litter. John Muir described them as by far the most interesting and influential of the California Sciuridae. #wildlifewednesday #sciuridae #castateparkstahoe #douglassquirrel Great capture! cred: @jaredmanninen Tag us in your posts for a chance to be featured!

Peaceful, quiet, glassy. And did we mention cold? Emerald Bay this morning . Did you know... In 1969 Emerald Bay was recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the federal Department of the Interior? Then in 1994 California State Parks included the surrounding water of the bay as part of the park, making Emerald Bay one of the first underwater parks of its type in the state. ... The area is the resting place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm. www.parks.ca.gov #emeraldbaystatepark #glassy #castateparkstahoe #history [p]: CSP / 12.8.20 / 8:15 am

Prescribed Fires in Tahoe Have you been seeing smoke in the Lake Tahoe area recently? Small prescribed fires may lessen future catastrophic infernos.... California State Parks land managers are using weather data and fine-tuned planning to use prescribed fire to mimic the natural process of fire in the ecosystem. #firefridays #firefightersafety #defensiblespace #landmanagement #prescribedfires #californiastateparks #sugarpinepointstatepark #burtoncreekstatepark PC: Rich Adams