Watching Stuart work was an education in tractor management. He was very precise and methodical in moving the gravel, dumping it and spreading it.
As usual with some of the things we have worked on over there, nothing was as simple as it seemed. The gravel pile turned out to be on a rotten piece of plywood which in turn was on a huge rotting old tarp. We finally had to tug and pull and push and haul to get the tarp out from under the last bits of gravel so it could go to the dump. The rest of the gravel was spread out so no more piles.
The only section of filling that we couldn't do were the small trenches. Those will have to be done by hand as I just couldn't have the tractor by the Ospreys again. There were so upset last night and then this morning when the tractor started up...not worth it.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
On the Tractor
I did the walking while Stuart did the driving...I bet I walked at least seven or eight miles while he rode around on the tractor mowing, filling in the septic hole, and finally spreading gravel at the entrance. A great job all in all.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Contouring the land
This shot shows the spot where the huge deep hole and the high mound of dirt had been. Some day that scar will grow over. In fact, I might order a few pounds of native grass seed to spread in the fall. In the meantime I will have to watch for star thistle which just loves disturbed land. Hated to make such a mess, but a least it is more in line with the contours of the land. The pond that I often photograph and post, is in the little stand of trees to the right of the tractor.
Approaching the Septic Hole
Actually, this is the final step in filling in the huge excavation which the previous owner made of the area around the septic tank. When I bought the land, there was a very deep hole which exposed the top of the vault. One day I noticed that one of the lids in the top had been moved and Stuart and I took quick measures to cover it up.
TOday, we took final measures to try to resculpt the mound into the landscape.
During the work, we realized that a pile of soil nearby which had no obvious hole near it, was in fact excavated soil from this hole. So both huge piles of dirt went in and filled up the hole.
It left a scar on the land, but it will heal.
The Osprey just went nuts during this work and the later mowing. They did a lot of screeching and flyovers. We are done with the area near them. Hopefully they will settle down. I really hate to bother them during nesting time, but there is such a small window in which to run equipment before the fire danger is too great.
After we finish up tomorrow, then in mid-May we will have to come back into certain areas and use a weedeater.
Stuart did a great job of avoiding oak trees (tiny ones), larkspur, mule's ears, and blue eyed grass. He also found big patches of bunch grass and hopefully we will have a lot of reseeding.
TOday, we took final measures to try to resculpt the mound into the landscape.
During the work, we realized that a pile of soil nearby which had no obvious hole near it, was in fact excavated soil from this hole. So both huge piles of dirt went in and filled up the hole.
It left a scar on the land, but it will heal.
The Osprey just went nuts during this work and the later mowing. They did a lot of screeching and flyovers. We are done with the area near them. Hopefully they will settle down. I really hate to bother them during nesting time, but there is such a small window in which to run equipment before the fire danger is too great.
After we finish up tomorrow, then in mid-May we will have to come back into certain areas and use a weedeater.
Stuart did a great job of avoiding oak trees (tiny ones), larkspur, mule's ears, and blue eyed grass. He also found big patches of bunch grass and hopefully we will have a lot of reseeding.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Larkspur
It remains very windy in Lake County...and since there is no rain on this eastern end of the county, everything is drying out very fast.
TOmorrow we mow huge sections of the field especially all the dense vetch...hopefully it will not reseed to such a degree.
Yesterday walking thru some sections, it was as high as my hips, and if there would have been a snake there, it was safe from me. I tried to use my stick to clear the way, or at least get a visual, but the mats were very thick. In some areas, very small oaks were almost completely covered with the vetch. That will require hand work for sure.
Today I meet with a representative of the Fire Department and they will be putting their own locks on the gates in case they have to go onto the property. Much better than knocking down the gate or fence as I have seen at other places.
TOmorrow we mow huge sections of the field especially all the dense vetch...hopefully it will not reseed to such a degree.
Yesterday walking thru some sections, it was as high as my hips, and if there would have been a snake there, it was safe from me. I tried to use my stick to clear the way, or at least get a visual, but the mats were very thick. In some areas, very small oaks were almost completely covered with the vetch. That will require hand work for sure.
Today I meet with a representative of the Fire Department and they will be putting their own locks on the gates in case they have to go onto the property. Much better than knocking down the gate or fence as I have seen at other places.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Common Buckeye
After a quick trip to San Francisco, no matter how pleasant, it is always so great to get back to Lake County. Right now with all the flowers blooming it is especially great, and as an extra bonus, I was finally able to get a relatively good photo of the Common Buckeye on the path ahead of me.
The Osprey were home and active as well...flying from the fish tree to the nest with fish in claws. Not really a welcome home to me, but I choose to think it was. Silly human.
I have been keeping my eyes peeled for snakes, but so far I have not spotted one. I tramped around in some pretty thick vetch this morning, but had my stick with me so I could poke suspicious clumps. I didn't even see any lizards. There are a lot of hawks over there, so maybe that is the explanation.
The Osprey were home and active as well...flying from the fish tree to the nest with fish in claws. Not really a welcome home to me, but I choose to think it was. Silly human.
I have been keeping my eyes peeled for snakes, but so far I have not spotted one. I tramped around in some pretty thick vetch this morning, but had my stick with me so I could poke suspicious clumps. I didn't even see any lizards. There are a lot of hawks over there, so maybe that is the explanation.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Carpet of Lupine
A great wildflower year so far. Tomorrow I am going up in the hills east of Clearlake for a wildflower tour...It may rival mine, but then again, maybe not.
Osprey & Fish
Yesterday was another wonderful day of bird watching, and wild flower reveling over on the land. I tried out the new benches...both are placed really well...I am thinking we might need one more, but will ponder on that.
Speaking of pondering...I am having the worst time coming up for a name for the property. I met a fellow at the Pub last night who also owns property on Cache Creek, plus has a large stocked pond, and he named his place Fish Eagle Ranch for the Osprey so that is sort of out. He also has Bald Eagles...he is only about two miles east of me as the Osprey flies. I will go out there next week and see the place for myself. It is supposed to be pretty spectacular. But then my piece is pretty dang nice as well.
Confluence...that might work...a little long. Cache & Copsey?
Speaking of pondering...I am having the worst time coming up for a name for the property. I met a fellow at the Pub last night who also owns property on Cache Creek, plus has a large stocked pond, and he named his place Fish Eagle Ranch for the Osprey so that is sort of out. He also has Bald Eagles...he is only about two miles east of me as the Osprey flies. I will go out there next week and see the place for myself. It is supposed to be pretty spectacular. But then my piece is pretty dang nice as well.
Confluence...that might work...a little long. Cache & Copsey?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Home of the tomatoes to be...stay tuned.
Even though it is still not time to plant my tomatoes in the ground...a month out by Lake County Standards...May 15th is the last freeze day.
But after buying those lovely tomato plants at Brown Forni last weekend, I just had to get ready.
Part of getting ready included emptying 9 sacks of EB Stone potting soil in the tub...and I did it all in a timely fashion today. Whew! Good thing I have a hand truck and a lot of sweat.
Anyway, at this point the three tomatoes will go in here along with the Padron peppers and the japanese eggplant. The squash and other peppers, cilantro and random items will go in the former tomato bed.
Today for the first time, I picked up an order from the Lake County Coop...wow! WAs I impressed with the contents of my box. Really beautiful stuff. Yummm.
THere is so much that I will be sharing, but probably, if I weren't going to SF next week, I could eat it all myself.
But after buying those lovely tomato plants at Brown Forni last weekend, I just had to get ready.
Part of getting ready included emptying 9 sacks of EB Stone potting soil in the tub...and I did it all in a timely fashion today. Whew! Good thing I have a hand truck and a lot of sweat.
Anyway, at this point the three tomatoes will go in here along with the Padron peppers and the japanese eggplant. The squash and other peppers, cilantro and random items will go in the former tomato bed.
Today for the first time, I picked up an order from the Lake County Coop...wow! WAs I impressed with the contents of my box. Really beautiful stuff. Yummm.
THere is so much that I will be sharing, but probably, if I weren't going to SF next week, I could eat it all myself.
Moss added to nest
This morning Stuart and I went very early over to the land to work on the cleanup and install benches.
The osprey flew off the nest when Stuart's pick up got near, but came back with a branch. When I walk there, the first thing I noticed was that the nest was now enhanced with lots of moss which is usually hanging on our oak trees.
The other interesting thing is that the small birds which have been hanging out around the nest are still there, darting in and our and around and about even when the Osprey is in the nest.
I think they are serious this time...sure hope so.
The osprey flew off the nest when Stuart's pick up got near, but came back with a branch. When I walk there, the first thing I noticed was that the nest was now enhanced with lots of moss which is usually hanging on our oak trees.
The other interesting thing is that the small birds which have been hanging out around the nest are still there, darting in and our and around and about even when the Osprey is in the nest.
I think they are serious this time...sure hope so.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Fly Over
This is part of the great defense of the nest...and let me tell you, who ever was sitting on the nest was very very vocal!
A Wonderous Day
As I keep mentioning as I post photos today, it was so amazing over on the land. First there were the great carpets of wildflowers: huge swaths of yellow, then blue that just dazzled me and made me laugh out loud, and even white, glimmering where all the vernal pools had been.
After I stopped gawking at the beautiful floral display, I finally checked out the Osprey nest but it didn't seem occupied.
Finally I was under what I have taken to thinking of the Fish tree, and looked up and right over my head was this beauty. I knew someone was about as I could hear the call when I first started walking.
On my second circuit, I walked over near Copsey Creek where I startled up a pair of woodducks who in turn caused a Great Blue Heron to fly up, so finally I was back on alert.
Amazingly enough, suddenly, there were at least three Osprey flying all around the area where I was standing in pretty thick oaks and brush. They were landing on a huge Oak on the east side of Copsey...two at a time with the third one circling and calling and calling. Then the birds in the tree would call and rise up and fall back. It was really an amazing display. It is possible that it was an extended family as I had been told that the male offspring nest close to the parents. So perhaps.
By the time I circled around to the nest again, the calling was really loud and one Osprey was in the nest and the other was flying around and landing and flying and landing again in the nest. It all looked pretty defensive and protective of the nest.
One issue might have been the pair of Herons who suddenly descended into the field, flying pretty close to the nest. They started hunting around the vernal pools and stayed until I got a bit too visible.
It really was a remarkable day.
Now I will post a couple more Osprey photos...
After I stopped gawking at the beautiful floral display, I finally checked out the Osprey nest but it didn't seem occupied.
Finally I was under what I have taken to thinking of the Fish tree, and looked up and right over my head was this beauty. I knew someone was about as I could hear the call when I first started walking.
On my second circuit, I walked over near Copsey Creek where I startled up a pair of woodducks who in turn caused a Great Blue Heron to fly up, so finally I was back on alert.
Amazingly enough, suddenly, there were at least three Osprey flying all around the area where I was standing in pretty thick oaks and brush. They were landing on a huge Oak on the east side of Copsey...two at a time with the third one circling and calling and calling. Then the birds in the tree would call and rise up and fall back. It was really an amazing display. It is possible that it was an extended family as I had been told that the male offspring nest close to the parents. So perhaps.
By the time I circled around to the nest again, the calling was really loud and one Osprey was in the nest and the other was flying around and landing and flying and landing again in the nest. It all looked pretty defensive and protective of the nest.
One issue might have been the pair of Herons who suddenly descended into the field, flying pretty close to the nest. They started hunting around the vernal pools and stayed until I got a bit too visible.
It really was a remarkable day.
Now I will post a couple more Osprey photos...
Grebe Cache Creek
Today really was spectacular and getting this shot of the grebe was really lucky.
Still deciding which Osprey photo to post and write on today.
Still deciding which Osprey photo to post and write on today.
Larkspur
I had such a rewarding prowl on the land today...finally capturing this flower was just the beginning.
Osprey Silhoutte
Walking over on the land on Easter Sunday my intention was to take some wildflower photos which I did do. (for some reason, flickr uploader is not letting me upload them)
I was also happy to see that while not on the nest, the Osprey were hanging out. This fellow was in what I think of as the fishing tree, or at least the oak where they seem to eat fish. It is half way between the nest and the Cache Creek. As I was taking photos, the other Osprey was flying overhead.
I am not at all sure that they won't lay eggs at this point, but I will have to be patient.
I was also happy to see that while not on the nest, the Osprey were hanging out. This fellow was in what I think of as the fishing tree, or at least the oak where they seem to eat fish. It is half way between the nest and the Cache Creek. As I was taking photos, the other Osprey was flying overhead.
I am not at all sure that they won't lay eggs at this point, but I will have to be patient.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Mallards & Butter & Eggs
A small flock of Mallards were in the drive way of the land when I pulled up last week...first time I had seen them on the property itself. usually they are in the creek and here they were way up by the cemetary.
The Osprey were not at the nest, but I received a phone call yesterday morning from a friend who said they were back. They also passed on some information about Osprey behavior after their nests are destroyed. Apparently they sometimes build a "frustration nest" but won't necessarily lay eggs.
I checked the other two nests nearby, one is being built, and the other has an osprey sitting on it.
Today I will take an Easter walk and see what I see.
The Osprey were not at the nest, but I received a phone call yesterday morning from a friend who said they were back. They also passed on some information about Osprey behavior after their nests are destroyed. Apparently they sometimes build a "frustration nest" but won't necessarily lay eggs.
I checked the other two nests nearby, one is being built, and the other has an osprey sitting on it.
Today I will take an Easter walk and see what I see.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Old Shack gone
Stuart did a great job hauling away most of the remnets of the old collapsed shack...We have cancelled tomorrow's work day due to the weather, but really we should be able to get it all done next week. That whole bare area needs to be raked to get all the tiny debris out and the piers have to be removed...they were never cemented in.
The wildflowers are really starting to pop, butter&eggs, and buttercups being most dominate right now, but the blues are starting to show up with the tiny lupines leading the way.
A whole new phase is starting up.
I have a meeting with some people who want to buy one of the adjoining lots...I am not sure how I feel about selling right now, but at least I will go listen.
The wildflowers are really starting to pop, butter&eggs, and buttercups being most dominate right now, but the blues are starting to show up with the tiny lupines leading the way.
A whole new phase is starting up.
I have a meeting with some people who want to buy one of the adjoining lots...I am not sure how I feel about selling right now, but at least I will go listen.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sand Hill Crane
This is why I haven't been posting...went to Nebraska to see the Sand Hill Cranes. When I got back today, I didn't see my osprey...hope everything is ok with them. The building is down and there won't be anymore work until Tuesday, just a final clean up. I hope they were scared off by the demolition work.
Monday, April 6, 2009
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