The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced this week that the California/Nevada population of the Greater Sage-Grouse has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In California, the birds are found in Inyo, Alpine and Mono counties. According to the Service, the protections would apply to about 5,000 birds that exist in six distinct groups, four of which are at risk of disappearing in coming years. More in the Los Angeles Times. (photo by Ting/USFWS)