Capturing the Western Frontier

 

     My profession as a property manager requires me to travel throughout southern California; scouting foreclosed properties with the intent to aquire them at auction. In the course of a week, I have observed and explored several different types of ecosystems, analyzing the biotic and abiotic factors of each one. These are MY OWN photos, a small glimpse of capturing the western frontier.  

Aguanga, CA
Biotic factors include the shrubs displaying a uniform distribution pattern. It was very quiet the only sound was the wind whispering, and there wasn't even one bird in the sky. Abiotic factors include the rocks, dead tree(bottom right corner), and dirt/sand. Interactions may include competition between plants for resources(water) and space.

                                                                     
                                                              NEXT STOP...
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                            Big Bear Lake, CA

Biotic factors include all the organisms living in the water including: fish, bacteria, and plants. From my observations, the San Bernardino forest is looking quite healthy, with thousands of alive and dead pine trees providing a habitat for many species of birds as seen in the background. The birds and trees display a commensalism relationship, the birds live in the trees and the trees are unaffected.
When I was there I also noticed a slimy green substance lining the banks of the lake, which might include some algae or decaying plant matter(abiotic) as seen in the bottom left corner. The lake itself is also an abiotic factor.

 

I took this photo on Highway 18 near Crestline, biotic factors include all the green vegetation and birds in the sky. Abiotic factors include rocks, dirt and ice (snow) in the winter, and the smog generated by San Bernardino in the distance.

 QUEST THROUGH THE DESERT

 

The Mojave Desert covers a significant portion of southeastern California, it is home to the San Jacinto Mountains and cities like Barstow, Palm Springs, CA and Las Vegas, NV. In this picture I took off Highway 62 going towards Yucca Valley, you can see a perfect example of uniform distribution displayed by the shrubs. As I kneeled quietly, I noticed several lizards and other reptilians, sunbathing. All of which are biotic  factors. Some abiotic factors are the many small rocks and sand covering the landscape, also the hills in the background which affect climate.

 



HAVE YOU REACHED YOUR DESTINATION? 

Chindi Shush - "Ghost Bear"

     In the Navajo language, Chindi Shush means "the bear who has turned ghost."
This statement is the epitome of how to describe what happened to our state animal, the California Grizzly (Ursus arctos californicus).

     Before California was nicknamed the "Golden State" it was actually the "Bear State", infamous for the thousands of monstrous grizzlies that once inhabited the region. As pioneers started migrating west during the 1840's due to the gold rush, these animals were being exterminated by hunters for their pelts and other valuable organs. This went on until in 1922, the last California grizzly was shot and taken in Tulare County. Although being endangered some 40,000 grizzlies still reside in Canada and Alaska. This article gives some information about the history and laws in place to protect these majestic animals. http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/animals/ca_grizzly_bear.htm

Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary

     On the pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada there is a 110,000 acre sanctuary for these creatures where hunting them is strictly prohibited. The Khutzeymateen Valley is Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary and home to one of BC's most important coastal populations of grizzly bears in the world. An estimated 50 grizzlies live in the park along with a vast majority of other critters that include wolves, beavers, otters, porcupine and other black bears.
http://www.spacesfornature.org/greatspaces/khutzey.html

Dude, I think your hair is on fire .. Yeah it is HAHA!

     If you've ever had long hair you know the hassle that comes with this carefree style. When I did have long hair I preferred the "rolled out of bed" look, but most prefer the moussed up, hairspray or overly gelled look. My friend Daniel was one of those people. One day when we were hanging out, he decided to smoke a cigarette. Upon lighting it in his mouth, a small piece of his hair combusted, producing a small glow that I noticed. I then chuckled the words, "Dude, I think your hair is on fire .. Yeah it is HAHA!" He quickly muttered an obscenity and put it out, we got quite the laugh.

     So what is it that makes these commonly used products flammable and how can you trust putting them in your hair? Not just styling products, but also shampoos and conditioners, contain solvents such as alcohol and hydrocarbons which are flammable. Another ingredient in styling products is polyvinylpyrrolidine, which is also used to glue the layers of wood in plywood together. Some hairsprays use natural polymers and solvents like vegetable gums dissolved in alcohol(still flammable). One popular ingredient in these "natural" sprays is gum arabic, it's made from the sap of certain trees that grow in the Sudan. So the answer is: You can't really trust any hair product and have to measure the benefits from the risks for the sake of your hair.
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/hairspray-ingredients.shtml