On a more positive note

[JamR]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Hello all,[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I just wanted to follow up with some more positive photos that are being captured by the wildlife cameras since some of you asked to see what we're seeing out there.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]It is just a very small sampling of the amount of wildlife out there in the areas we use for recreation, and it demonstrates the importance of properly managing these areas, and a major reason why proper use of these areas is so important.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Our presence in these areas does have an impact on the wildlife and it is the responsibility of the managing agencies to try and keep a balance between access and protection.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The reasons that unauthorized access is so important to control have to do with wildlife impacts and also its direct impact on the ability to increase legitimate access.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Wildlife does not recognize the difference between authorized or non-authorized access, and every land manager has to find a balance between access and impacts. Every area has a certain carrying-capacity before the impacts become too detrimental to the habitat, and it is different for each area. Some areas are more conducive to heavy activity while others require a more managed approach.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Where the non-authorized use directly impacts legitimate use and creates problems like in our local NCCP areas is when the non-authorized access out numbers the legitimate access.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]A simple example would be an area where say 100 people per week was a fairly acceptable number of users and the managers were allowing 25 people per week to use the area and wanted to increase it to 100. However if there were already 80 people per week trespassing the area; the manager could not reasonably increase legitimate access to 100 until the non-authorized access was managed. To do so would now subject the area to potentially twice the amount of access that the area could handle.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]This is a very simple example, but the basic philosophy is what land managers are required to work with. We would like to see better managed access in these areas but currently cannot justify the additional impact because of the amount of non-authorized access. Also the unfortunate part that comes along with the unauthorized access is that in many cases it takes place during times when even legitimate access would not be appropriate, and in many cases takes place in areas that cannot support such use (ie…traversing off-trail, or using non-sanctioned trails).[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bottom line is that the fewer amount of people who abuse these areas will make it easier for the managers to justify better access. These areas are still rich in wildlife, but they are striving to survive in relatively small pockets of wildlands, and need our help to stay healthy. The managers need the help of all user groups to protect these areas, but still have access to enjoy them for recreation in a balanced approach.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Here is a small sampling of some recent photos that show the diversity of wildlife in the same areas where we recreate.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Enjoy![/SIZE][/FONT]

Note....the Golden Eagle in the third pic spend close to 40 minutes bathing in the trough.

[elab]

Those are awesome pictures.

Thank you, JamR.

[sdyeti]

Wow...makes all the kitty stories seem very real!

[Sweetpea]

Thank you so much. Post more if you have any.

Of those critters, I've yet to see an eagle (is that an eagle?), mountain lion or bobcat in the wild around here.

[allison]

Adam - thanks SO much for sharing those photos! That is awesome!

[Shannon]

Thank you!!! The pics are beautiful. Specially the one's with the mountain lion and her cubs.

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]Wow, great stuff. Stuff you only wish you can see with the human eye...or maybe not!

[/SIZE][SIZE=3]For the record, I'm not opposed to you posting pictures of poachers. Do what you gotta do to maintain access.

[/SIZE][SIZE=3]Thanks for posting this and the previous. all good work!

Wow, look at size of the lone kitty's paws. They're Ginormous!...
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...3&d=1196371272



[/SIZE]

[Fired Yo Momma]

cool pics! those cats give me chills and make my hair on the back of my neck standup.

[TURNERob]

Very cool pics Adam, thanks for sharing!

Question about the cameras, are they just motion activated? How does the flash at night affect the animals?

[ghixon]

JamR's Wild Kingdom right here So Cal!!!

[GOGrannyGO]

Thanks!

[foofighter]

is this over in the burn area of whiting? or where?

[jcbikeski]

Are samples like these (and more) available online anywhere. Having them online would be very good for education and general interest in the parks.

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Thank you so much. Post more if you have any.

Of those critters, I've yet to see an eagle (is that an eagle?), mountain lion or bobcat in the wild around here.

I saw a Golden eagle along Skully ridge in Chino just last week.

Great pics! Esp. Mom and the kids.

[guero]

thanks so much adam! i've always wanted to see the wildlife captured by those cameras! i am bookmarking this thread and am forwarding it to many people.

[mtnbikerfred]

What!? No Badgers?

I really did see (almost caught) one banding owls on RMV one night. "She" was after our lures inside the bal chatri we set out with a transmitter on it.

I can think of at lease one trick you could install on the tie-up posts to catch and band that Golden

[OTHRIDER]

Question about the cameras, are they just motion activated? How does the flash at night affect the animals?

90% have a motion detection system just like your outdoor motion lights. A few allow you to also choose/set a specific time frame between photos. No reason to get 10 shots of a deer's rear end.

Older units had simple 35mm or early digital cameras that you could buy anywhere. Those older units used the simple flash we're all used to. It doesn't seem to send the animals off (you can another flash picture of them within minutes) but you often get the glowing eye effect. Newer, dedicated units offer infrared flash, remote viewing options via cable and even wireless transfer.

It's another whole industry you never knew existed....
here's one source:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/co...+cam&noImage=0

[Red Ryder]

You got me wondering how the golden eagles are doing that were in the Mojeska area

Cool photos, I see a lot of wildlife on the trails, but I know there is a lot more I don't see