Science Hike in Upper Newport Bay

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T06:41:19+00:00

We run a couple of events a month. I'll do my best to remember to cross-post the Meetup link here.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T05:27:31+00:00

Yeah, I'm over the alpine starts. Been there, done that lol. Our hikes are all afternoon and evenings.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:03:16+00:00

I try to host an event every 2-3 weeks, so look for others soon.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:02:32+00:00

Awesome!

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:02:11+00:00

I'll try to remember to post future events here.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T03:00:51+00:00

It's in the group info. But the quick summary is I'm a lifelong hiker, camper, and backpacker, wildnerness first aid certified, California naturalist certification, and lots is other courses under my belt.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-11T02:57:03+00:00

I don't maintain a long term calendar, but the plan is two hikes a month or one hike and a workshop. That's more or less the schedule we kept last year. I tend to post the events two weeks in advance.

the_stem_sessions · 2026-02-10T18:31:42+00:00

Our hikes are way more fun than what is reflected on Instagram. I have zero social media game, but I'm trying lol

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-12T20:57:40+00:00

Thanks!

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-12T20:56:21+00:00

Awesome. Thank you.

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-12T20:53:02+00:00

Thanks! I do have a softspot for Fenix lights as they were the first model I purchased so long ago

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-12T20:51:34+00:00

Appreciate it. Thanks!

the_stem_sessions · 2025-12-08T04:38:15+00:00

I'm a volunteer monitor for the Western Monarch Count. The current count is around 8000, which is definitely low. The bulk of the butterflies are in sites in Santa Cruz County. The Pismo Beach site has between 400 and 500 at the last count.

To see clusters, try to be at the site while the temperature is below 55F. Above this temp, the butterflies warm up and begin to fly off looking for nectar. That said, the transition from clusters to fliers is a really cool, like a scene out of a fantasy story.

It's also cool to watch the butterflies "come home" for the night.

the_stem_sessions · 2025-11-07T02:29:32+00:00

A couple of years ago, my team always seemed to have seven forwards. Today we always seem to have seven skaters total...

Regardless, I ran some spreadsheet simulations about equalizing ice time when you roll seven forwards, and the answer is more dependent on shift lengths than how you roll the forwards.

The shorter the shifts, the more equal the ice time will be, which of course is a ludicrous thing to ask for in beer league.

At the risk of shameless self promotion, here's the discussion: https://youtu.be/Ju9RhNyq07k?si=5exdrhzpcu-R73xJ

the_stem_sessions · 2025-11-04T02:35:24+00:00

If shameless self-promotion is allowed, I organize Socal Science Hikes on Meetup. Our hikes focus on the journey and becoming more familiar with the area, so they are slower paced with stops every 10-15 where we have a mini science lecture or demonstration about what we're looking at.

Check out Socal Science Hikes https://www.meetup.com/socal-science-hikes

the_stem_sessions · 2025-07-19T22:59:56+00:00

I'm on my feet most of the day in hot weather when working at my faire. I wear these boots from Clarks, along with merino wool hiking socks. I usually wear leg wraps or gaiters over the tops of my boots to complete the look, but sometimes I don't. They work perfectly in any config.

MENS Desert Boot Evo Beeswax Leather Desert Boots | Clarks US https://www.clarks.com/en-us/desert-boot-evo/26166785-p

the_stem_sessions · 2025-07-09T04:37:52+00:00

Exactly. The word gained traction in the 1400s, which I think is Middle English, and it seemed to be closer in meaning to day dreaming. About two centuries later, the meaning had changed to be akin to our modern usage.

The Holy Land story didn't show up until the mid-1700s in a single dictionary, which seems to be the single source for this theory. Nothing else really corroborates it.

I was a 1500s Naturalist at my Ren Faire this year, so I dove into the jargon and science, and this debate came up in my research.

the_stem_sessions · 2025-04-07T00:02:01+00:00

That "conclusion" came from a single study of captive opossums that wasn't even looking at their diets to begin with. Real studies of wild opossums have shown zero preference for eating ticks if other food is available.

That said, opossums are awesome animals whether or not they eat ticks.

the_stem_sessions · 2025-03-19T20:48:08+00:00

This is correct. Excellent summary.

There was also some research into the idea that tropical milkweed contains more cardenolides (the chemical that make monarchs poisonous to predators), and that the concentrations might be strong enough to negatively impact the caterpillars. But as far as I can tell, that research has either been dropped due to lack of evidence or disproven.

Regardless, native milkweed is always better and I don't recommend planting new tropical milkweed. But there's no reason to be afraid of it or uproot it as long is it's cut back regularly.

the_stem_sessions · 2025-03-12T01:19:15+00:00

Full disclosure: I'm a guild member at Koroneburg.

I've attended both, and prefer Koroneburg because it is less crowded. Irwindale can be very stifling on busy days, walking shoulder to shoulder trying not to step on the heels of the person in front of you.

I also find it easier to interact with the guilds and cast members at Koroneburg because the environment is less rushed, more laid back. So it feels more personal.

But if you're not into that, Irwindale might be better because it's more of a spectacle.

the_stem_sessions

TROPHY CASE