This morning I met Stuart at 7 am so he could start weedeating a few paths and areas he couldn't get with the tractor.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that there was very little evidence of the early mowing we did with the tractor., But as it turned out, the mowing was pretty easy, he said...the easiest he will probably get to do this year.,
But then he doesn't know yet what else I have in store for him over here. He used up six tanks of fuel and finished around 2, with very few breaks. An awesome worker.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
White Mariposa Lily
According to the Audubon Wildflowers, this is a Sego Lily, but it doesn't show a range in California. Calochortus Nuttallii.
I will have to do more research on this one.
While I was walking on the land on Memorial Day, I was happy to see that there was no garbage, so perhaps people are staying off. It was pretty early and there weren't even any fishing boats tucked into the bank. Very peaceful.
The Osprey was busy doing something in the nest...hopefully tending to chicks. I better check my new bird program on the iPhone and see what baby Osprey are called.
I will have to do more research on this one.
While I was walking on the land on Memorial Day, I was happy to see that there was no garbage, so perhaps people are staying off. It was pretty early and there weren't even any fishing boats tucked into the bank. Very peaceful.
The Osprey was busy doing something in the nest...hopefully tending to chicks. I better check my new bird program on the iPhone and see what baby Osprey are called.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Common Buckeye in field of Mariposa Lilies
It seemed like the wrong time to walk, between 11-12 on a warm day, but I was rewarded with many glimpses of Buckeye on the Butterfly Mariposa Lilies.
The Osprey was hunkered down, the Egret was too far down the creek for a shot and the Heron was just not giving me the right profile. But these guys were great!
The Osprey was hunkered down, the Egret was too far down the creek for a shot and the Heron was just not giving me the right profile. But these guys were great!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Whitestem Hedgenettle
Found this little member of the mint family way on the eastern edge of the property in pretty deep shade. Took me a while to ID it, but I am confident that I did the job. Every day I am over there new flowers are still coming up. More and more of the Brodeaia are blooming as well. It is interesting that over here, they are winding down and just getting started over there, so close and so similar, but I think the difference is this side might be higher, just slightly.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Arching Oaks Reserve
I am testing names for my land...I guess I better find out what the difference is in a reserve or a preserve, or maybe it should be a ranch?
Other suggested names have been:
Cache Copsey Confluence and lots of variations on that theme. Osprey something for obvious reasons. Anyway ideas?
One of the reasons I like this name, is that so many of the oaks there are on the banks of the creeks and arch out over the water or the land. The most beautiful one of all is reflected in the small pond. I am thinking of installing a small creek pump to pump water into the pond to continue the lush green habitat. If I built a house there, I could let the water from the roof be another source of water to keep the pond going during the hot, dry summer.
Other suggested names have been:
Cache Copsey Confluence and lots of variations on that theme. Osprey something for obvious reasons. Anyway ideas?
One of the reasons I like this name, is that so many of the oaks there are on the banks of the creeks and arch out over the water or the land. The most beautiful one of all is reflected in the small pond. I am thinking of installing a small creek pump to pump water into the pond to continue the lush green habitat. If I built a house there, I could let the water from the roof be another source of water to keep the pond going during the hot, dry summer.
Reflectiions
On a very hot day like today when I should have walked much earlier, it was so refreshing to come upon the pond in all it's green beauty. Unfortunately for me, I was also somewhat oblivious and missed the opportunity to capture a green heron who had been feeding on the shore. Dang it. I will have to be much more careful in the future.
After all the Bee adventure and Valley oak adventure in my garden, it was great to get over and walk, even in the heat. I think a little kayaking over might be in order this weekend...I can lounge around like all the fishermen that were lurking in the shade of my oaks this morning. Of course, their boats are slightly more comfortable than the kayak, but I could take a folding chair over when I go.
After all the Bee adventure and Valley oak adventure in my garden, it was great to get over and walk, even in the heat. I think a little kayaking over might be in order this weekend...I can lounge around like all the fishermen that were lurking in the shade of my oaks this morning. Of course, their boats are slightly more comfortable than the kayak, but I could take a folding chair over when I go.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lizard on a hot rock
Hopefully this is just one of many encounters I can capture this spring and summer.
Mariposa Lily
Just when I reluctantly grab the camera, figuring what could be new now, I get a wonderful surprise like this Butterfly Mariposa Lily, Calochortus venustus.
I spotted the first one up in the cemetary as I was getting out of the car, and from then on I was on the lookout as I trekked around the land. Both sightings were eastern exposure. It was really thrilling to find them. I haven't seen any in my local haunts since I moved from Morgan Valley to town...which will actually be seven years tomorrow.
I also found some different larkspur type flowers in the cemetary, but not on my land.
The osprey is so low in the nest that at first I didn't think there was any one home. But sure enough, the closer I got, the higher he got. Later I caught a glimpse of the other returning but didn't actually see if he had fish or what. Now that all the trees are leafed out, it is harder to see them from other vantage points.
It is a bit frustrating not to know the status of the eggs, if any, and when they might hatch (if at all).
The small companion birds are very busy under the nest, building their own small nests I suppose. I don't linger too long close by.
I spotted the first one up in the cemetary as I was getting out of the car, and from then on I was on the lookout as I trekked around the land. Both sightings were eastern exposure. It was really thrilling to find them. I haven't seen any in my local haunts since I moved from Morgan Valley to town...which will actually be seven years tomorrow.
I also found some different larkspur type flowers in the cemetary, but not on my land.
The osprey is so low in the nest that at first I didn't think there was any one home. But sure enough, the closer I got, the higher he got. Later I caught a glimpse of the other returning but didn't actually see if he had fish or what. Now that all the trees are leafed out, it is harder to see them from other vantage points.
It is a bit frustrating not to know the status of the eggs, if any, and when they might hatch (if at all).
The small companion birds are very busy under the nest, building their own small nests I suppose. I don't linger too long close by.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Just surfacing Carp
Large school of Carp surfacing just beneath the tree where the Osprey like to fish (I wonder why). It is the beginning of spawning when the carp leap very high out of the water and land with a huge smacking splash.
This photo of what I think are Mandarin Carp is very impressionistic...perhaps my friend Judy the eminent pastel artist might try a painting of carp!
This photo of what I think are Mandarin Carp is very impressionistic...perhaps my friend Judy the eminent pastel artist might try a painting of carp!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
flicker in the vetch
One of the benefits of mowing the grass down last week, is the arrival of a lot of birds to hunt and peck their way around the newly shorn areas. This little fellow was pretty bold though he did stay on the edge of taller grasses. I took a little movie footage of him as well, hoping he would fly and give me a good shot at all his colors. Of course, he flew when I got tired of holding the camera still and turned off the movie function. Still it was a neat little demo of pecking.
Finally got it.
Been trying to capture this since Friday in the rain. Now the question is what is it?
Is it Chinese Houses Collinsia heterophylla, Scrophulariaceae, or some sort of Penstemon, as in Scrophulariaceae. I am voting for Chinese Houses.
Is it Chinese Houses Collinsia heterophylla, Scrophulariaceae, or some sort of Penstemon, as in Scrophulariaceae. I am voting for Chinese Houses.
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