Found Turtle

From the 4300 block of Canyon Crest, neighbors found a turtle, hard shell, green/brown in their back yard, They took it to the Pasadena Humane Society. 

Cougar in the Canyon

From a Meadows neighbor:


A few days ago, a German shephard-sized cougar was spotted nosing around at the picnic tables in El Prieto canyon. Despite the hiker having 3 large dogs and blowing a whistle, the cougar circled around behind the hiker to block the forward path and continued to watch him partially concealed in the brush. The cougar definitely appeared predatory and did not run away. The hiker backed away the way he came in instead of continuing down the path the cougar was blocking.

Reminder About Any Missing Pets

From a Meadows neighbor:

Just saw a reminder from the Pasadena Humane Society. Their officers were very active last night picking up loose dogs that likely escaped from yards during the winds. Friendly reminder that any dogs that officers picked up in Altadena will have been taken to the LA County facility in Baldwin Park, since that is the facility that serves our area. Just in case anyone is looking for a dog that may have gotten out last night.

Bobcats on Aralia

Two neighbors on Aralia reported bobcat sightings.

Thanks to Amish for the pics.

From Amish: "This bobcat got into it with a neighborhood cat this morning 9am. The neighborhood cat is a black and white cat that seems to be running quite freely in our area these days. I'm wondering whose cat this is?  Luckily, our cat was not involved....its pretty beautiful."

From Michael: "Around 10:15 this morning (Sunday), Joanie and I were having coffee when we saw a small bobcat jump over the fence from Amish's yard, wander around our our backyard and then crawl up the chain link fence and jump over to Dale's back yard. About two minutes later a second cat (larger, probably the mom) jumped Amish's fence, walked on our patio, near the BBQ, jump up our Oak tree, onto the roof of our aviary and then jumped into Dale's back yard.  Joanie was able to get a picture of the back half of the cat near the BBQ.  Pretty cool for a Sunday morning."

Great Pyrenees an Option for Critters?

Interesting info on the Great Pyrenees from a Meadows neighbor:


"There is much talk about bears and mountain lions and how to deter them. I thought neighbors should know about the many Great Pyrenees dogs available for adoption which could serve as wonderful pets while deterring the wild predators with which we all choose to live in harmony.

"They are bred to be livestock guardians and as such their instinct is to patrol their property and ward off any threat to their family whether it be human or livestock. My two Pyrs discouraged the young mountain lion from approaching the back of our property on Canyon Dell, so I can personally attest to their ability."


Some resources from GPASC Rescue volunteers.

Many Great Pyrenees available for adoption

Great Pyrenees Association Southern California Rescue has rescued every Great Pyrenees dog that was out-of-time at a shelter, pound or when an owner turned it in for the past 35 years. The dogs come from Southern and Central California and Southern Nevada. The director and volunteers have done a great service caring for them and finding homes for 1000's of gentle giants.

Because of so many people losing their homes and jobs, the rescue is very crowded. We need to find homes for more than 40 dogs in the next 2 weeks.

If you have ever had a Pyr in your family you know the calm love of these gentle giants, their allegiance to the family, their care of children and other animals. Please consider adopting one of our Pyrs.

If you have never had a Pyr, please read about Great Pyrenees to see if this breed is a match for your family:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees

http://www.akc.org/breeds/great_pyrenees/

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/great-pyrenees.html

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-great-pyrenees.html



Pyr rescue has a few puppies, a number of young dogs 1-2 years, mostly adult dogs 2-6 and a few older dogs 7-9. There are photos and descriptions of each available dog on www.petfinder.com. It is easiest to access this information from the rescue's website:

http://www.greatpyrrescue.org/

You will need to have at least a 6-foot fence surrounding your yard since Pyrs jump lower fences and can wander.

They need daily exercise. They eat as much as a retriever, about 3.5 - 4 cups of kibble a day. They don't need washing as their coat protects them during all seasons. However, they do need to be brushed weekly.

If you know a Great Pyrenees is a good match for your family, please fill out an application on the website, www.greatpyrrescue.org. A volunteer will contact you shortly.

Thank you for considering a Great Pyrenees as a companion dog or flock guardian.

If you know someone who you think would enjoy such a calm, loving, and protective dog, please let them know about this opportunity.

Opossum PI

Caught this really cute, young opossum staring into my kitchen window tonight.  I wasn't cooking anything of interest, so have to think he was just checking out the real estate!

Bears in Your Backyard Presentation

Please Join Assemblymember Anthony J. Portantino for a Public Safety Forum

“BEARS IN YOUR BACKYARD”

May 19, 2011

7:30 PM- 9 PM

at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station
4554 N. Briggs Ave. La Crescenta, CA.

A California Fish and Game Representative Will be Present to Answer All of Your Questions
For More Information contact Bill Hacket at 626.577.9944

Beautiful Visitor to El Prieto

This pic sent in today from a neighbor on El Prieto.

Coyote Pic

Great pic from an El Prieto neighbor showing a very healthy coyote in the neighborhood.

Mountain Lion in The Meadows

From a neighbor:

Two of my neighbors on Canyon Dell Dr have had a mountain lion visit in the past week.

One visit occurred on Saturday night and it was standing right out side of their open window growling at their small dog.

The other occurred at a different neighbor's house some time early last week. It was spotted about midnight right out the back sliding glass door also stalking a little dog.

It is reportedly a very large cat. About 30-32" tall at the shoulder and about 4' long not counting the tail.

So, keep your pets close and secure because they could be on the menu. This cat seems to be targeting prey and has identified pets as an easy meal. It is not a surprise that there are so many lost house cat postings.

I heard a pack of coyotes either working on their prey or being preyed on late Sunday night - early Monday morning around 12:30am.

It's for the Birds - Really!

From MaryEllen:

I had to take my birdfeeders down and have lots of birdseed for anyone who wants it. I have one 20-lb bag of sunflower seeds (in shell), unopened, one 20-lb bag of nyjer seed, unopened, one 20-lb bag of mixed seed, unopened, and one 20-lb bag of mixed seed, opened but more than half-full.


They are on the front steps at 4595 Rising Hill.

MaryEllen Schoeman
VP, Animal Advocates
http://www.animaladvocates.us/

Coyote Pics

Two pics of coyote on the west side of Risinghill behind the houses.

Thanks to MaryEllen for the pics.

MaryEllen Schoeman

VP, Animal Advocates
http://www.animaladvocates.us/

Coyote Country

Looks and sounds like we have a new generation of coyotes making their presence known here in The Meadows.

I heard yipping right behind my house on El Prieto two nights this week.  Sounded like a small pack that must have found some other animal.

Also saw a very healthy, large coyote midday last week.  Some other neighbors on Risinghill saw the same one.

So, keep your pets safe.

Rambro Update

A cross-posting from other blogs and emails:

Dear Neighbors & Trail Users,


At the risk of invoking "déjà vu," be aware that Joe Clay (aka "Rambro") the hunter / poacher is back... again.

In addition to Clay being up here in the Chaney Trail Neighborhood this morning in his usual camo fatigues and armed with a bow on his motorbike, residents over on El Prieto report that "Rambro" was seen at ~2:30pm yesterday (21 Sept.), dressed in full camo and military style boots, with a "Castro cap" (military style cap), backpack, bow, arrows and knife. He was entering the Forest at the top of El Prieto via the trail to Owen Brown's Grave and the Lincoln Avenue Water Co. tank, adjacent to Angeles Forest.

As most of you know, El Prieto Canyon and vicinity burned in the Station Fire, as did the north slope and ridges above Millard Canyon, which means that Clay was hunting in the USFS Closure Area... or, too close to residences on the edge of the Forest.

Clay has also been exploring up N. Fair Oaks in recent weeks, trying to access the Forest via private property up there near Summer Kids and Zorthian Ranch.

Rambro seems to be conducting "reconnaissance" in this area on his bike, in an attempt to get around local residences and into the Forest.

Steve L. recently asked if it is illegal for Clay to ride his motorbike on local trails. Perhaps the USFS and County Sheriffs can answer that question for us.

At least one El Prieto resident called the Sheriffs yesterday. The Sheriffs responded to the call with two patrol cars, but those vehicles only cruised slowly around the culdesac at the top of El Prieto, then left, without deputies ever getting out or talking to the resident who called. The Sheriffs are not going to catch Clay in the Closure Area, see him setting illegal traps, or firing weapons too close to homes that way.

Altadena Sheriffs tend to arrive after Clay has driven off, or they decline to look for Clay, however briefly, in order to question him. Obviously, Clay is not going to stand around waiting for deputies. Worse, Sheriffs Dispatch up in La Crescenta may not respond at all because they don't know anything about "Rambro." It would be helpful if the Sheriffs worked closer with USFS law enforcement to intercept Clay. Once detained, the USFS and/or CA Dept. of Fish & Game could be called to issue a citation or to arrest Clay, depending upon circumstances.

For those not familiar with Rambro's history that involves poaching, using arson to evade arrest, and a concealed handgun... read the archived article copied last below. Caution is appropriate, take photos of Joe Clay and his vehicles only if you can do so without confrontation.

All we can do is remain vigilant and keep calling the Sheriffs, USFS Dispatch and the CA Dept. of Fish & Game "Cal Tip" hotline every time we spot "Rambro" in our neighborhood or the Forest. (See phone numbers highlighted in red below.) I have been told that he may be driving a newer SUV instead of the old maroon van with black-out windows (CA license #4AGU605).

If you call and get the La Crescenta Sheriffs Station... and they don't know who "Rambro" is... politely ask to be connected with someone at the Altadena Station. Generally, the Altadena Sheriffs know who Clay and about his illegal and dangerous hunting.

As Robert C. said, letting Clay know he is being watched may encourage him to leave our area. If we are lucky, authorities will catch him "in the act" again and we won't see "Rambro" back... ever. Clay gives responsible hunters a bad name.

Thanks to all those who reported Clay's presence to authorities.

More Bear Info

Neighbors at the top of Risinghill Road confirm that there are 2 bears, possibly a 3rd with the 3rd being a cub.

The biggest bear as well as the cub are black, the other is cinnamon colored and the most active and curious of the bunch.

Bears seem to be living in the canyon between the top of Risinghill Road and La Vina. They are very very active, visiting just after sundown and stay most of the night. They have been nightly visitors all summer long.

One morning, said neighbor awoke to find one bear asleep near the car. Bears had been coming up onto the porch so neighbor installed a 'driveway alarm' which can be bought at Harbor Freight for less than $20. They placed the receiver by the front door and when bears trip alarm, it sends a loud, high pitched screech, which sends the bears running away. It has worked beautifully.

Blog postings are correct, bears are very timid and run away when they see a human. We need to keep it that way. And it's true, bears do s**t in the woods. And on my lawn. And on my landing. And my backyard, frontyard, next to my car....


Also, DO NOT leave food or food wrappings in your car. Bears have amazingly sensitive noses. We learned the hard way!

Bear Alert Poster

A poster was developed from neighbors to the East about the sightings of black bears in the foothills.  Here's the content of the poster:

Altadena Foothills


After the 2009 Station Fire burned much of the Angeles National Forest, surviving wildlife took refuge in remaining canyons and streambeds within the Altadena foothills. Wild animals including deer, bobcats, cougars, and black bears are spending more time at lower elevations seeking water, shelter, forage and prey in the chaparral and oak woodland around our homes.

Black bears in our neighborhood

Black bears in our neighborhood have raided bee hives, stolen food out of garbage cans, slept in our lavender, and cooled off in our ponds. While black bears are generally non-confrontational and unlikely to attack without provocation, they are also large, powerful, and unpredictable. Be aware of your surroundings and assume a bear might be nearby, especially at night. If a bear is observed, do not approach it closely or attempt to block its escape routes. It is essential that bears remain wild and afraid of humans. If a bear appears, make a noisy commotion, blast an air horn or car horn and direct bright car headlights at the bear; or turn a high power water stream on the bear, etc. Some neighbors have “shot” bears with paint ball guns (startling the bear and conveniently marking it with non-toxic, brightly colored paint that tastes bad when licked off by the bear). The intent is not to injure a bear, but to frighten it away from people and property. The objective is to make remaining near people, pets and residences unpleasant for the bear.

! A fed bear is a dead bear! !

The California Dept. of Fish & Game no longer relocates problem bears. If a bear poses a public threat or becomes a chronic, destructive nuisance, it will be killed. Your actions may affect a bear's survival.

! Secure garbage cans indoors (inside your house, garage, or a sturdy shed)

! Do not put trash out until the morning it will be picked up

! Separate food garbage from other trash and double or triple bag it to reduce tantalizing odors

! Freeze leftover poultry, rib bones & any odorous food leftovers until pick up day, then dispose in a sealed bag

! Do not leave food on a window sill or a kitchen counter below an open window, especially at night (such as a cooling pie)

! Keep BBQ grills clean and free of meat residues & do not leave food unattended on outdoor tables

! Keep all pet food away from areas the bear might be able to access, including backyards, decks and under porches

! Safeguard small domestic animals, such as chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and box turtles

! Pick up fallen & ripe fruits & vegetables that might attract a bear (such as berries, figs, avocados, apples & persimmons)

! Close patio doors and large windows on accessible ground floors and decks at night (screens are not secure!)

! Until the bear leaves our area, stop disposing of fresh food scraps, fruits or vegetables on compost piles or in open bins

! Don't encourage your dog(s) to chase a bear; dogs can be injured or killed and might enrage an otherwise peaceful bear

! Never deliberately feed a bear!

" Help keep all of us, including black bears, safe!

March 2010

Bear Sighting on Rising Hill

From MaryEllen Schoeman:

Here's links to some photos and video I got of the bear on Rising Hill. Is there interest in having someone from Fish and Game come talk to us about how we can keep things safe for us, and for the bear (if he gets too used to people, he could get into trouble)? If there is interest, I will set it up.
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryellen/sets/72157623123668718/
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axNAm-Pa4y8

Active Bear in The Meadows

Over the past week, a bear has been very active in our neighborhood. 

Last night, he left some evidence (think about it) after turning over trash cans on the 4200 block of Aralia.

He's been seen eating figs on Rising Hill, sitting in the middle of the street on Rising Hill, at the cul-de-sac on El Prieto and turning over trash cans higher up on El Prieto.

Most of the occurrences have been in the middle of the night, but also as early as 9:00 p.m.

If you're able to keep your trash cans in a garage, that would be helpful.  If not, one tip is to freeze any food you're going to throw in the trash and put it in your trash cans the night before pick-up.  That way, the bear can't smell the food.

Just thought I'd post so that everyone can stay safe.

Bear on Lower Canyon Crest

Be sure to check out the video footage of a bear on Lower Canyon Crest on Tim's www.altadenblog.com

Bear Sighting

A Meadows neighbor reported a mid-sized bear galloping across lower Canyon Crest, just south of the hairpin turn on Monday morning.  Seems the bear was enjoying the trash can buffet! It then took off into the brush below Canyon Ridge.

She tried to get a picture, but her camera had been stolen from her unlocked car which was on Canyon Ridge.

So watch out for the bear and lock your car doors!