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Traveler Readers Invited to "Test Drive" Prototype Website For Birding in the National Park System

Aug 24th - 06:59am | Maggies.mom

If you want an immediate comment - the page I am looking at right now (www.nationalparkstraveler.com plus the invitation) has a problem with readability - both the announcement text and the reader comments are showing up so wide that they protrude into the green band at right. I am sure this is not your intent.

Aug 23rd - 23:56pm | Cornell

It gives both too much and not enough. (a) too much: The scientific name and the order are not necessary. Most birders carry one or more bird guides which give the scientific names.

Aug 23rd - 19:25pm | Kat

Looking forward to getting a look at it when the website is cooperating. One question from the get go...will it be available in mobile web format? I'd probably be a lot more inclined to use it in the field if I can access it from my iPhone, like I can with field guides and other bird related websites.

Aug 23rd - 15:33pm | tomp

Folks-- The science.nature.nps.gov server is back up. I'd appreciate suggestions on the prototype. When we make a production version of this (available for all NPS units), it will be hosted on a different, allegedly more reliable server.

Aug 23rd - 09:52am | tomp

Yup; Welcome to my life. All of science.nature.nps.gov (the I&M website) is not responding. I'll politely ping the IT folks. I apologize, folks.

Aug 23rd - 08:47am | Kurt Repanshek

Yep, the system certainly seems to be off to a bad Monday morning start. Hopefully it'll come back to life soon (7:46 a.m MDT).

Aug 23rd - 06:54am | Danny Bernstein

The NPS website must not be awake yet, this Monday morning (7:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight time). I can't seem to get to the websites sited inthe article. Sounds very interesting. I'll try them again later. Danny http://www.hikertohiker.com

National Parks Road Trip 2010: Across Wyoming

Aug 24th - 05:57am | Mercedes

I'm sure you had such a wonderful trip. Road trip is also one of my plans for my kids this summer but I was not able to get long vacation from work. Hopefully, next year we will be able to pursue that plan. My kids are already excited about it.

Updated: Searchers Looking for Missing Plane With Park Service Employees Aboard at Katmai National Park and Preserve

Aug 24th - 01:30am | Ben Jones

I have a lot of faith in Neal, as he is one of my best friends in the world, to have survived anything that may have happened and to be able to handle any situation that has arisen. He is as outdoorsman as they come and fortunately there was a weeks worth of supplies on board that are there for them while waiting for rescue. I wait anxiously for the good news that they have been found safe.

Aug 24th - 00:18am | akfisheagle

what's his name? I can find out for you. I live here and work for search and rescue on a volunteer basis. I know the people here and will get you the info you need. Scott

Aug 23rd - 16:24pm | tomp

N9313Z from: http://www.adn.com/2010/08/22/1419913/plane-with-4-on-board-missing.html As is everyone else, I'm hoping for the best.

Aug 23rd - 14:43pm | Anonymous

Is the tail number of the plane known?

Aug 23rd - 08:39am | pkrnger

I wonder over time how many NPS'ers have lost their lives in small aircraft accidents, and how many of these have been in air travel in Alaska?

Aug 23rd - 01:23am | Martin in San Diego

Heard back from Alaska NPS. My son was not onboard, which is a personal relief. Our prayers are with the those still missing and their families. Even if they are waiting out weather, this will be two uncomfortable nights. Thanks again for the contact information.

Aug 22nd - 23:41pm | Anonymous

The search is still on. The names of the NPS employees involved have been provided - Mason McLeod, Neal Spradlin and Seth Spradlin. They work in the park maintenance division. Pilot's name was not available.

Aug 22nd - 22:32pm | Anonymous

God bless all families, friends, coworkers, and search teams! All in my prayers and thoughts! I flew confidently in that plane last month on vacation and really enjoyed the excellent service and reputation of the company and pilots!!

Aug 22nd - 21:22pm | Anonymous

Don't worry just yet. There's no information of a confirmed crash and no confirmation of any deaths. Also, chances are your son was NOT on board. Good luck.

Aug 22nd - 20:54pm | Martin in San Diego

Many thanks for the contact information. I have left messages at both numbers. Prayers for all concerned.

Aug 22nd - 20:39pm | Kurt Repanshek

So far they haven't released the names of those involved. Here are two numbers you might try calling: Katmai National Park (907) 246-3305 Alaska Regional Office for the Park Service 907-644-3510 Good luck.

Aug 22nd - 20:34pm | Martin in San Diego

My son is working at Brooks Camp as a Ranger this summer. How can I find out if he was or was not onboard the missing plane?

Reader Participation Day: Acadia National Park, or Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Aug 23rd - 22:48pm | toothdoctor

My two cents is for Acadia. While I have been to both, and enjoyed them each immensely, there was just something beyond words about my experience in Acadia that makes me want to return on a more regular basis.

Ask A Ranger. Violence Is Nothing New To The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Aug 23rd - 22:29pm | David Fifer

Mr. Codrea, from your comment I'm not sure if you're aware that there exists two general types of National Park Service Rangers: law enforcement (known as Protection Rangers), and non law enforcement rangers (interpreters, guides, maintenance personnel, etc).

RV Accident in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Injures 6

Aug 23rd - 21:36pm | Anonymous

I'm glad that people didn't get life threatening injuries and they were cleared from the accident side. But removing that RV in the middle of the day and totally blocking the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway was very annoying.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Turning to 240 Volunteers To Help Reduce Elk Herd

Aug 23rd - 18:10pm | Anonymous

I am also a female hunter and, although justified, I consider this a rather unjustified spending of National Park funds...yes they could have rounded them up and moved them elsewhere, like the areas around Yellowstone that have suffered decimation to benefit a wolf population out of control (another animal that needs to be hunted and now is listed again), or other areas but in the end, the only

Aug 23rd - 11:12am | rks_nd

Well, Priscilla, there is a regular hunting season for elk in and around the park, but not many people are successful, mostly because of the tough terrain. And with the worry of chronic wasting disease, which is transmissable to other animals such as livestock, the only options is to have a mass hunt to decrease the numbers.

Aug 23rd - 09:05am | Priscilla Feral

What a wrong-headed, mean-spirited massacre of animals who should benefit from a natural system in all National Parks. That's the least we can offer elk, deer, coyotes, wolves and others when federal and state wildlife agencies act like apologists for hunters whose license fees are channeled into those departments.

Democrats Introduce "Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act" To Help Wildlife Cope With Climate Change

Aug 23rd - 17:14pm | Anonymous

If this is for illustrative purposes only, where is a factual map, or do they even know yet which lands to grab?

Civil War Battlefields To Share $1 Million For Land Acquisition

Aug 23rd - 11:29am | Catherine

Could you add a link to the American Battlefield Protection Program, the NPS department that administers this part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund? http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/index.htm

August 20-21 Marks 100th Anniversary of the "Big Blowup"

Aug 23rd - 10:11am | tahoma

For the outline of the heroic story of fire crew leader Ed Pulaski's desperate retreat to a mine tunnel refuge: http://www.oregonlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2010/08/idaho_trail_honors_...

Judge Tosses Personal Watercraft Rules at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Aug 23rd - 10:01am | Dave

> Dave, to say you left less of a trace than the sea kayaks is a bit of a stretch Maybe :-). But there were 40 of them milling around and beaching them on the sensitive shoreline.

District Court Upholds Designation of Critical Winter Habitat for Piping Plovers Along Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Aug 23rd - 09:20am | Ron Saunders

This is for Anon and anyone else that may be interested. With reference to my prior statement about Mr. Rylander, concerning the desire to "see him get his bell rung", I have posted a clearification on the Frank & Fran Fishing Forum where the statement was originally made.

Aug 22nd - 18:42pm | Floyd

Just got back from OBX. Drove on beach at Salvo and down by the lighthouse at the Cape . Went fishing with my daughter. Took everything I brought when I left. Didn' t run over any of the 10 breeding pairs of Plovins or any other wildlife. Went back to Waves for the evening. This is the typical day for ORV'ers at Hatteras Island. I have never seen any ORV'ers abusing the beach or dunes.

Aug 22nd - 11:45am | SS1

“one gets the impression that they truly believe that the shore should be exclusively set aside for the wildlife and those that wish to observe them.”

Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest: The Video

Aug 23rd - 05:30am | Anonymous

Peggy Thompson's work is some of the finest naturalist photography extant. You should definitely check out some of her other pieces on YouTube including the phenomenal book entitled Portraits of the Living Tao that she did with author Stephen Kaufman. She has a profound eye for beauty that is rarely captured by others. She is without doubt one of our better spiritual artists. She knows...

National Park Mystery Plant 11: My Cup Runneth Over

Aug 21st - 20:18pm | Lee Dalton

RangerLady --- Attaboy, girl!

Grand Teton National Park Researchers Keeping an Eye on Pikas

Aug 21st - 17:40pm | Anonymous

Cool

Cherokee Orchard Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Under Construction

Aug 21st - 17:07pm | TnHiker

Kurt is right of course about the actual Rainbow Falls waterfall being another 4 miles down the mountain from the junction of Alum Cave trail and Bullhead/Rainbow Falls trails. I've always tended to focus on all the other non-waterfall features along hiking trails and sometimes forget that for many, the waterfall feature is the main event.

Aug 21st - 08:42am | Kurt Repanshek

TnHiker, Good catches! You're right, of course, about the Alum CAVE Trail. Fingers went in one direction, brain the other. And I had indeed overlooked the Old Sugarlands Trail. Regarding the Alum Cave Trail, however, it runs about 5 miles to its junction with the Bull Head Trail near Mt. LeConte, and then you still would have about a 4-mile hike to reach Rainbow Falls, no?

Aug 21st - 07:38am | TnHiker

A couple of errors in your article might confuse first-time visitors to this Smokies hiking area: 1. There is no Alum Creek trail. I think you were referring to Alum Cave trail (sometimes known as Alum Cave Bluffs trail).

One Best Hike: Grand Canyon

Aug 21st - 15:26pm | Dirk Faegre

It seems to me that if we provide too much info it takes the adventure out it. GPS waypoints for best rest spots ??? !!! Come on now. Let's stick to the things people really need to know -- like how much water is enough and how to know if you're getting dehydrated.

Teach Your Children Well...When it Comes to Hiking in National Parks And Elsewhere Outdoors

Aug 21st - 11:20am | phoebe

I agree with you. Kids will be a good hiker or camper as long as they are taught the basics and how to be safe at campground. I believe that teaching them the proper way of survival will protect them during outdoor activities such as camping.

Here's a Yellowstone Bear Story: Grizzly Sow Has Quads!

Aug 21st - 09:45am | Becci J.

So glad to see positive info about the Yellowstone bears. It has been a sad year so far and these are a big pick-me-up. Thank you for posting them.

Aug 20th - 22:57pm | Lynn

What a blessing that all 4 of these youngsters are surviving. You can definitely see the size difference of each one in these videos. With nature, normally the smallest is the weakest and it doesn't survive. But all four are very active and show no signs of being weaker than other. It is really nice to see that nature, when left alone, takes care of itself.

Aug 20th - 22:13pm | Cheryl Henry

We were lucky enough to see these bears on vacation in late June. Area we saw them looks like same area as in the video.

Aug 20th - 20:07pm | Sandi

If these were taken in June and May, have ther been any recent sightings of them? Is it possible a bear would ever take on anothers cubs?

Rare Motion Pictures Show Civil War Veterans at the 75th Gettysburg Battle Anniversary Reunion

Aug 20th - 23:39pm | gailen oliver

is it not amazing that after all these years that tears still fall over this war

National Park Road Trip 2010: Return to the Beginning

Aug 20th - 17:39pm | David Scott

Our RAV4 actually got over 35 mpg during our trip, so our carbon footprint was substantially below your estimate. Plus, at home we upped the thermostat, cut off the water heater, and turned off all the lights prior to leaving on the trip. This should have helped the environment some.

At the Lincoln Memorial, Marian Anderson Delivered an Easter Sunday Performance for the Ages

Aug 20th - 16:26pm | KSod

I first seen and heard Marian Anderson sing this heart swelling rendition on the Glenn Beck show...when she came to the words "Of The WE Sing"...I immediately had tears in my eyes. I can lost feel how those in attendance felt. God Bless America...he surly had bless this woman.

Glacier National Park Enjoys Bullish July

Aug 20th - 15:07pm | Jim Burnett

Milind - For a short, easy walk and the chance for some great photos of peaks reflected in the lake, try the trail to Sun Point. It's along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, on the east side of the park. For those great "mirror" lake effects, you have to catch a time with calm winds - early in the morning is often a good bet.

Aug 20th - 14:36pm | Milind

@ Kurt Thanks for reply. I definitely follow your suggestions and will go to all the places as you mentioned.

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