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Trail cameras belonging to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured evidence that the grey wolves are back in California. It has been almost 100 years since grey wolves have lived in this state even though some had temporarily wandered down from Oregon.

Who knows what the weather this winter will bring? It's not that unusual for our area to get 8" of rainfall during a storm and the havoc it can create to an unprotected hillside. We are talking major erosion of your precious land. Fortunately, September and October are a good months to do something about it.

Each time I prepare salmon for dinner I am reminded of my home town and the years spent enjoying the ‘fruits de mer’ from the ice-cold waters of NeahBay in Washington. In 1940, this small town was surrounded by forests on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It was there that I learned my first ‘swear words’ from my Uncle Louie, a tough and hard-working logger who I stayed with one summer. My Aunt Ardis was a gentle soul, always busying herself with her garden and cooking some of the best fish from the ocean that I still remember fondly.

The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf may be the most over looked fishing opportunity we have. It has easy access, parking, bait tackle restaurants and you are not required to have a fishing License.In 1914 this 3,000 feet Pier was constructed and is the sixth pier that has been built in Santa Cruz. It is referred to as our Wharf although its true definition is “Pier.” A wharf is referred to as a platform that parallels the shore a Pier heads out from shore. The original City bond was written as “Wharf” and has remained the term to use.The Wharf may not have the best ocean fishing our Bay has to offer but does host chances at fish and at times can be very good for small game fish. Perch can be caught here year around. The winter months are bets for barred surf perch. The current usually runs towards the River mouth from the Wharf so most people cast for perch just outside the breaking waves on the Boardwalk side. Pile, black and rubber lip perch, can be caught along the pilings all around the Wharf. These perch like shrimp, mussels, and pile worms for bait. During the summer months small shiner perch are more common and may work for live bait while pursuing larger game like halibut or striped bass.Jack smelt and mackerel are common during the summer months and at times are very easy to catch. Mackerel are one of my favorite fish as they are speedy, and have beautiful colors. The most common are pacific mackerel with a blue striped back, and they are a real crowd pleaser because they resemble small tunas! They are all edible with jack smelt at the bottom of my list for table fair. Jack smelt and mackerel can be caught with a small “sabiki” or bait catching jig set-up. They are rigged with a weight at the bottom and sometimes tipped with squid for bait. Some anglers prefer this rig fished under a large float or bobber casted away from the Wharf.The chance at larger game is always a possibility while fishing from the Wharf. When I was younger we would catch coho or silver salmon from the Wharf during the fall months as they would stage looking for the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Lately there have been a few legal sized halibut caught. Halibut are caught using live bait like anchovies, sardines or small mackerel and jack smelt. While catching larger fish like halibut is less common, it can happen. If so, you will need a landing net. The landing net is a crab hoop net and you have to lower it to the water and get your prized catch to swim into it to hoist it to the Wharf.You never know what you may catch from the Wharf but I guarantee it will be fun and easy. You may also have a chance at a chowder bowl or some fried calamari while you fish. You will see Sea Lions; you can even rent a boat or Kayak from the Wharf if you are more adventurous. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is a fun place and easy access to fishing in the ocean.

His famous cousin would probably have arrived in Ben Lomond on a water-smooth silvery stallion, but Frederick A. Cody rode in on the train. Admittedly, Buffalo Bill was a distant cousin, but F. A. Cody probably profited from the connection. A traveling sales specialist for an electric light company, he provided systems for small cities, and also promoted stock companies to fund them. During an extended stay in Mexico, Cody carefully built up his capital nest egg, waiting for an opportunity like that offered by D. W. Johnston, who was ready to unload his property in Ben Lomond.

You never know where new gardening ideas and inspiration can come from. The other day I stopped by to help my friend to water a garden that is located by the river in South Felton. We both enjoyed the unique combination of plants and garden art placed strategically though out the garden. It was clear that this soothing garden was created with love. If gardening keeps you sane, don’t stop because of the drought.Covered with huge white, heavily ruffled flowers, a Rose of Sharon ‘Helene’ anchored the entry to a small deck overlooking the San Lorenzo River. With a reddish-purple eye and handsome, leathery dark green leaves, this attractive shrub will bloom nearly continuously over the summer and fall without setting seeds.Other gems in this garden that caught my eye included a Japanese painted fern paired with purple leaved coral bells. A foxtail fern and variegated hosta looked great nearby. Japanese forest grass, oakleaf hydrangea, liriope, helleborus and winter daphne grew among the ferns.These are shade plants and most like a regular drink of water. They are combined with plants with similar water requirements in this garden but if your garden is in more sun remember that it doesn’t take a lot of water to make a garden beautiful. A garden that is un-thirsty can fill you with joy.Gardening makes us learn new things. If you water less frequently, some plants may decline or even die eventually. Remove those that do and replace them with plants that will thrive with less water.Some plants to try as replacements are agastache or Hummingbird mint. Plant them near your organic edible garden to provide nectar for pollinators as well as for the hummingbirds. The flowers are edible as a salad garnish, in baked goods and in cocktails while their foliage can be added to herb salads or in a cup of tea.Other perennials that bloom now and into fall include asters, gaillardia and all the salvias. The California fuchsia is just starting its long fall bloom cycle, too.I like the bright flowers of gloriosa daisy, especially the longer lived Goldsturm variety. These perennials make good cut flowers and are tough and easy to grow. They are descended from wild plants native to the eastern U.S. but require only moderate water once established.Need more late summer perennials to extend your season? Coneflowers will continue to bloom until frost then go dormant for the winter. Now days there are many colors to choose from in addition to the traditional rosy purple daisies. They are lightly fragrant and make good cut flowers for bouquets. The clumps spread slowly and can be carefully divided after three or four years. If faded flowers are left in place, the bristly seed heads provide food for finches in winter.The herb, Echinacea, is derived from varieties of this flower. Echinacea purpurea and other varieties are used as a fortifier of the immune system, mainly to prevent flu and minor respiratory diseases by increasing the body's production of interferon. The roots are the part of this plant used for medicinal purposes.Echinacea was used by Native Americans more than any other plant in the plains states. It was used to treat snake and insect bites because of its antiseptic properties and to bathe burns. They chewed the plant’s roots to ease toothaches. It was also used for purification. The leaves and the flowers can be used in teas as well.Enjoy un-thirsty color in your garden this fall.-Jan Nelson, a landscape designer and California certified nursery professional, will answer questions about gardening in the Santa Cruz Mountains. E-mail her [email protected], or visitwww.jannelsonlandscapedesign.comto view past columns and pictures.