Let Natural Science Awaken You. . .

Photo Credit: Ginny Heringer Michael White, Conservation Science Director for the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, addresses us.

We watched for but didn't see the ranch's most famous resident, the California condor, although they regularly forage on the ranch. Our animal sightings included a wild pig and several wild turkeys, favorite prey for the ranch's hunting program, along with bear, elk, antelope, and deer. Signs of foraging are common; we saw carcasses of cattle and pigs picked very clean by condors, hawks, and turkey vultures. Mike told us that the frequent carcasses make the ranch a favorite spot for condors; state parks and national forests don't have so many large mammals, dead or alive.

The ranch has its share of human history too. With a year-round stream and ample sources of food, this beautiful canyon was an attractive home for Native Americans. Chumash and Yokuts Indians lived in the area and were settled on the Sebastian Reservation nearby. An old very dilapidated school house lies near the entrance to the canyon and a small cemetery of Christian Native Americans a little farther up.

Our hike was one of a series of monthly walks led by the Tejon Ranch Conservancy to introduce the public to different areas of the ranch. A Sierra Club hike with conservancy leaders takes place on Saturday, November 21; to sign up, contact leader Ginny Heringer at 626-793-4727 or ginnyh@ix.netcom.com. For more information, see the Tejon Ranch Conservancy website at www.tejonranchconservancy.org and the Tejon Ranch website at www.tejonranch.com.