NASA's Cassini spacecraft is back in contact with Earth after its successful first-ever dive through the narrow gap between the planet Saturn and its rings on Wednesday.

The spacecraft is in the process of beaming back science and engineering data collected during its passage, via NASA's Deep Space Network Goldstone Complex in California's Mojave Desert.

The DSN acquired Cassini's signal at 11:56 p.m. PDT on April 26 and data began flowing at 12:01 a.m. PDT on April 27.

"In the grandest tradition of exploration, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has once again blazed a trail, showing us new wonders and demonstrating where our curiosity can take us if we dare," said Jim Green, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

As it dove through the gap, Cassini came within about 1,900 miles of Saturn's cloud tops (where the air pressure is 1 bar – comparable to the atmospheric pressure of Earth at sea level) and within about 200 miles of the innermost visible edge of the rings.

While mission managers were confident Cassini would pass through the gap successfully, they took extra precautions with this first dive, as the region had never been explored.

"No spacecraft has ever been this close to Saturn before. We could only rely on predictions, based on our experience with Saturn's other rings, of what we thought this gap between the rings and Saturn would be like," said Cassini Project Manager Earl Maize of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. "I am delighted to report that Cassini shot through the gap just as we planned and has come out the other side in excellent shape."

The gap between the rings and the top of Saturn's atmosphere is about 1,500 miles (2,000 kilometers) wide.

The best models for the region suggested that if there were ring particles in the area where Cassini crossed the ring plane, they would be tiny, on the scale of smoke particles.

The spacecraft zipped through this region at speeds of about 77,000 miles per hour relative to the planet, so small particles hitting a sensitive area could potentially have disabled the spacecraft.

As a protective measure, the spacecraft used its large, dish-shaped high-gain antenna (13 feet or 4 meters across) as a shield, orienting it in the direction of oncoming ring particles. This meant that the spacecraft was out of contact with Earth during the ring-plane crossing, which took place at 2 a.m. PDT on April 26. Cassini was programmed to collect science data while close to the planet and turn toward Earth to make contact about 20 hours after the crossing.

Cassini's next dive through the gap is scheduled for May 2.

Launched in 1997, Cassini arrived at Saturn in 2004. Following its last close flyby of the large moon Titan on April 21 PDT, Cassini began what mission planners are calling its "Grand Finale."

During this final chapter, Cassini loops Saturn approximately once per week, making a total of 22 dives between the rings and the planet.

Data from this first dive will help engineers understand if and how they will need to protect the spacecraft on its future ring-plane crossings.

The spacecraft is on a trajectory that will eventually plunge into Saturn's atmosphere – and end Cassini's mission – on Sept. 15.

More information about Cassini's Grand Finale, including images and video, is available at https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/grandfinale and https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/why-cassini-matters/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that the county’s annual burn ban will begin on Monday, May 1.

The burn restriction, which is intended to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality, applies to all areas in Lake County.

All burn permits expire on Sunday, April 30.

An annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.

A managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years, the district reported.

The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 onward, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.

The district said this successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.

The ban also helps prevent smoke impacts to the general public and large planned outdoor events from unrestricted vegetative waste burns.

The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exceptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.

To obtain an exemption permit for a necessary burn after May 1, first contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then your local fire protection agency so that your burn site can be inspected and evaluated for fire safety.

Only after the fire agency has notified the Lake County Air Quality Management District that the proposed burn is fire safe, can you obtain a written exemption permit.

Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without a valid written exemption permit may be subject to a citation, fines and the cost of the fire agency response to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season late this year.

The Lake County Air Quality Management District asks that the community help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect the county’s clean air resources by observing the ban.

The district said public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for everyone.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – It’s hard to believe that the pretty little wood ducks (Aix sponsa) were brought to the brink of extinction in the late 1800s.

Deforestation, wetland loss and hunting of the birds for meat production were the main culprits, but like the egrets of the same time, wood duck feathers were also prized for ladies’ hats.

Conservation efforts including the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) preserved the species. Even though they are still hunted (with a limited take of two birds in California) their numbers are currently on rise thanks to continued protection and the establishment of human-made nesting boxes.

At only about three-quarters of the size of a common mallard, the male wood ducks are distinctly patterned with an iridescent green head (decorated with white lines and curves), a glossy chestnut colored chest and buff sides.

Although the females’ coloring isn’t as striking, they still cut a lovely gray-brown figure with their speckled breasts, and their white rimmed eyes with yellow eyeliner.

Besides their coloring, what makes these ducks unique is that they have no close ancestral relatives other than the brightly colored Mandarin ducks. 

Unlike most other ducks, too, wood ducks have some special adaptations that make them able to climb, perch, nest and freely fly around trees.

Their somewhat stocky body and short broad wings make them very maneuverable in flight, and their feet are equipped with claws that allow the ducks to climb trees and perch on branches.

Even the newly hatched ducklings have use for their claws. When they are just one day old, they leap from the nest onto the ground (which may be up to 50 feet below), using their claws and tail to brace themselves just before the jump.

Unless they land on something especially hard, the long fall doesn’t injure the ducklings. Their tiny bodies are so light that they literally just bounce when they hit ground.

Wood ducks prefer to nest in tree cavities but since they are unable to excavate cavities on their own and have to rely on natural openings in trees, they have also adapted well to using nest boxes. (Northern Flicker nesting cavities are sometimes used, but that is something of a rarity.)

Usually, the nest which is lined with feathers and little else is between 10 and 50 feet off the ground somewhere near a water source, like a lake, wetlands area or even an urban pond.

Females may lay eggs in several different nests before they pick one to brood in, so it’s not unusual for there to be a broad mix of eggs in each nest.

Some nests, called “dump nests,” don’t live up to the females’ instinctive standards and the eggs in them never get incubated at all.

Normally, the females will lay between six and fifteen eggs. But in areas where the nests are close together and the females are all laying in one another’s nests around the same time, there can be up to 30 or 40 eggs in one nest.

Although such broods can be large, most of the ducklings don’t make it to maturity. Their tiny “snack” size make them easy prey to a wide variety of predators including other birds, snakes, and predatory fish like Northern Pike.

About 80 percent of a wood duck’s diet is made up of the seeds of aquatic plants, but the ducks will supplement that diet with insects, snails, berries, acorns and other plant matter like water primrose, duckweed and smartweed.

Ducklings eat the same diet as their parents, and although their mom may stay with them for about six weeks after they hatch to protect them and help them find things to eat, she will generally leave the ducklings to their own devices by the time they fledge.

If you would like to try your hand at building a wood duck box keep in mind that the kind of habitat available around the box is as important as the construction of the box itself.

The ducks need foraging sources and access to water. Building nest boxes, though, allows you to help preserve the species and affords you some insights into their unique behavior.

Mary K. Hanson is a Certified California Naturalist, author and nature photographer. She will be co-teaching a naturalist course for the public through Tuleyome in early 2018. Tuleyome is a501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland, CA. For more information visit www.tuleyome.org .

The California Department of Public Health announced the first confirmed illness in California due to West Nile virus.

The illness occurred in Kings County, officials said.

“West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so I urge Californians to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

This year to date, West Nile virus activity has been detected in three dead birds, one each from San Mateo, Orange, and San Diego counties.

Heavy rains this winter in California have contributed to an increase in mosquito breeding sites. It is not known what impact the wet weather may have on the actual virus transmission risk in humans.

So far this season, West Nile activity is within expected levels, the state reported.

West Nile virus is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area and the level of West Nile immunity in birds.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older, and individuals with diabetes or hypertension, have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.

CDPH recommends that individuals protect against mosquito bites and WNV by practicing the “Three Ds”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. Insect repellents should not be used on children under two months of age.

2. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes usually bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

3. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus Web site includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

Title means ownership and control. How title is conveyed varies with the asset type.

With real property title involves the chain of title from the original owner to each subsequent owner.

Title is typically conveyed by either a quitclaim deed or a warranty deed signed by the grantor(s).

Title “vests” (transfers) in the name of the grantee(s) upon delivery to the grantee, or upon recordation with the county. In California, a grantee may take title in various ways.

If the grantee is married title should say that the grantee is married and whether or not the property is the grantee's separate property or community property.

For example consider, "John Doe, a Married Man, as his Sole and Separate Property," and, "John Doe and Jane Doe, husband and wife, as Community Property."

With a married person, title is not necessarily conclusive of whether the property is the sole and separate property of the spouse on title or is community property belonging equally to both spouses.

What rights each spouse has in the assets titled in either spouse’s name may depend on whether the property is being transferred due to the couple’s divorce or due to the death of either spouse.

Thus, for example, if a married person purchases real property in his or her own name alone, but uses community property (such as earnings while married) to make the purchase (and/or uses a loan secured by marital earnings), then even though title is recorded in one spouse's name alone the couple's community property estate may acquire an equity interest in the property.

If title to property is held in joint tenancy then when the first joint tenant dies, the surviving joint tenant(s) acquire title to the entire the property, including what was the deceased joint tenant's equal share, without probate.

If the last surviving joint tenant, however, still holds title to the property in his or her name (outside of any trust) then a probate may become necessary when the surviving joint tenant dies, depending on the gross value of the last joint tenant's probate estate and whether the real property goes to a surviving spouse.

Probate only applies when more than $150,000 in gross value is left to person(s) other than a surviving spouse (or registered domestic partner). Probate can be avoided by holding title in a trust or by recording a revoable transfer on death ("TOD") deed.

When title is held in a Revocable Living Trust, beneficial ownership remains with the settlor who established the trust. But, at the settlor's death probate is avoided because title transfers to the living successor trustee by means of an affidavit of successor trustee.

In a probate title to real property is conveyed pursuant to a deed signed by the court appointed personal representative.

If the deed is pursuant to a probate sale then the personal representative, if granted full independent powers of administration, may proceed without prior court authorization. Otherwise, a court order authorizing the sale or the distribution to a beneficiary is required.

Sometimes title to real property is transferred by just recording a court order alone. For example, a surviving spouse can petition the court to confirm the spouse's ownership of the deceased spouse's real property. 

Title to financial accounts, like brokerages and bank accounts, is maintained by the financial institution based on documents signed by the account holder(s).

At the account holder’s death there are a number of possible ways that the account assets may be transferred.

Joint accounts pass to the surviving joint tenant(s). “Pay on death” and “transfer on death” accounts usually pass according to designation of death beneficiary forms. Accounts held in a trust go to the trust beneficiaries. Sometimes part or all of a financial account may still pass according to the deceased owner’s will or, if no will, to the surviving heirs.

Anyone with a legal question regarding the titling or transfer of an asset should consult an attorney.

Dennis A. Fordham, Attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235. His Web site is www.DennisFordhamLaw.com .