Monday January 16, 2012
We experience so many different types of habitats along the coast and in the Central Valley, sometimes it’s easy to overlook these unique formations right in our own backyard in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Thankfully, many of our staff have a keen eye for the rich diversity in these environments and one snapped this photo of a boulder field. Formed 100 million years ago during a period of prolific volcanic activity and mountain uplifting, granite is the most abundant rock in the Sierra Nevada range. Early in California’s settlement, cattle ranchers used the exceptional masonry skills of Chinese workers to construct stone walls to contain their herds. After 150 years many of these stone walls remain standing.