This morning the other young Osprey was in the same place, but also on the Oak were two adults who flew as soon as I came into view. On my second circuit, even this little guy had moved down to Copsey Creek. The Spirit Wild people will call me when they are ready to release the other one, so hopefully I will be able to get more shots in this continuing saga!
Beside this Osprey and his parents, right under the same tree was a doe with twins! They scampered out and ran down by the creek so some hiding place. Just by going an hour earlier I saw an abundance of life.
Other sightings, pair of Egrets, pair, at least of Great Blue Herons, at least two Green Herons, and all the usual woodpeckers. Sandie at Spirit Wild mentioned that she had a little woodpecker to release...it hangs on her...time to go.
Hopefully she will be able to release a lot of animals over there before she has to shut down.
Now to call the possible dog owner...nicely!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Family of three
This is the family of Canada Geese that have moved to Cache Creek year round apparently. They mostly seem to live across the creek from my house, in my neighbor's yard,, but have been coming up stream to the land to a spot overlooking the creek that we mowed.
I have spotted their scat but this is the first time I saw them up so close and personal. The alpha male is very watchful, and up close, very large and intimidating, but didn't make any aggressive moves. So, in order, we have Dad, Ma, and the kid, who is almost as big as Ma.
I think the huge German Shepard who swam the creek was coming after these guys because when I encountered the dog, and herded him with a go home command, he headed back where they had been and they were all swimming around in Cache Creek.
I was mainly concerned with keeping the damn dog away from the downed Osprey at that point.
I have spotted their scat but this is the first time I saw them up so close and personal. The alpha male is very watchful, and up close, very large and intimidating, but didn't make any aggressive moves. So, in order, we have Dad, Ma, and the kid, who is almost as big as Ma.
I think the huge German Shepard who swam the creek was coming after these guys because when I encountered the dog, and herded him with a go home command, he headed back where they had been and they were all swimming around in Cache Creek.
I was mainly concerned with keeping the damn dog away from the downed Osprey at that point.
Let Me Pet You!
Trying to avoid the beak and have a gentle touch before he leaves for a few days. Hard to do with camera in hand.
Thinking back on the morning, it is a miracle that this bird survived what with the really intense heat building up and the giant german shepard that had swum across the creek. This is one lucky Osprey.
According to Sandie, and as my two falconer acquaintances also said...Ospreys are not the sharpest birds...they all actually called them dumb. But they are so beautiful, and they certainly know how to fish...when they can fly.
Thinking back on the morning, it is a miracle that this bird survived what with the really intense heat building up and the giant german shepard that had swum across the creek. This is one lucky Osprey.
According to Sandie, and as my two falconer acquaintances also said...Ospreys are not the sharpest birds...they all actually called them dumb. But they are so beautiful, and they certainly know how to fish...when they can fly.
Gotcha!
Osprey captured...notice that beak! Sandie was able, making little osprey sounds to walk right up to him and grab him by the claws...notice the thick gauntlets she had on! The feather on the juvenile are tipped with white...that is how she could tell that the other one in the tree was also a fledgling.
OSPREY DOWN, OSPREY DOWN!!!
This morning, I thought I spotted something out of place as I looked back up toward the kill from the creek side of the land. On my circuit back up, I became convinced that it was an Osprey and sure enough, in all the tall grass, there was the bird. Spreading it's wings and crying out. I did another circuit trying to decide what to do and noticed another on high up in an oak tree.
I assumed it was the adult and this was the fledging and all would work out. But it all nagged at me, so as soon as I got home, I called Spirit Wild, Lake County's Wildlife Center. Sandie Elliott must have flown down from Cobb as I only beat her over there by about five minutes.
She feels that this bird is just not ready to fly by a couple of days, so she caged him up and took him off until he is ready to fly and then she will release him back to the land. The osprey up in the tree is also a baby! Yikes. What an adventure. More photos to come.
I assumed it was the adult and this was the fledging and all would work out. But it all nagged at me, so as soon as I got home, I called Spirit Wild, Lake County's Wildlife Center. Sandie Elliott must have flown down from Cobb as I only beat her over there by about five minutes.
She feels that this bird is just not ready to fly by a couple of days, so she caged him up and took him off until he is ready to fly and then she will release him back to the land. The osprey up in the tree is also a baby! Yikes. What an adventure. More photos to come.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Very colorful Algae on Cache Creek
The algae on the Creek is growing ever more colorful with this magenta appearing recently. I sure hope that it all goes away soon, as with the weather heating up, the smell will only intensify. Ugh! There is still a warning not to swim etc., in the infested areas. There are apparently several different kinds of algae this year beside the usual suspect. It can't last forever, can it?
Very colorful Algae on Cache Creek
The algae on the Creek is growing ever more colorful with this magenta appearing recently. I sure hope that it all goes away soon, as with the weather heating up, the smell will only intensify. Ugh! There is still a warning not to swim etc., in the infested areas. There are apparently several different kinds of algae this year beside the usual suspect. It can't last forever, can it?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Narrow-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)
Margot is the first one to point out that these plants were a variety of Milkweed. I also think I have found a different variety with more wooly leaves. I have found these out in the open field as well as very close to the pond in a shaded area. In the shade, I found one that had it's main stock covered in small orange bugs similar to aphids in size. At first I thought they were eggs, but they were moving.
Male Quail
I had just commented to a friend with very keen eyes that I hadn't seen any baby quail chicks when a family of two adults, and three chicks appeared on a path just ahead of us. They stayed just in sight as they scurried along with the male as lookout and the female as leader. The chicks mostly stayed in tall grass on either side of the path, but at one point, one tiny item flew to catch up with the rest of the family. It was pretty cool.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Triple Threat Star Thistle Bindweed Medusa Head
Today I realized that the star thistle is starting to do it's bloom, and at the same time I spotted this one, I saw the other evil plants, Medusa Head, and Bindweed. If only the Bindweed could strangle the star thistle or the Medusa Head, but they seem to be co-existing well. I am going to a lecture about the possibility of controlling Star Thistle with native Tar Weed. I seem to have that so maybe there is hope.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Leaping & Bounding
After pausing by the small oak to check me out, the fawn turned and headed across the meadow...he was so fast that I was so unprepared, but this does capture the essence of the fawn!
Spotted fawn
Walking around the very dense brushy perimeter of the land on the Copsey Creek side, I heard a massive rustling in the coyote bush, and out bounded the most darling little fawn...I was slow with the camera, but he finally stopped so I could get this shot. The next shots of him bounding off again are a little blurry but darling none the less. He hid under the giant oak by the pond until I made my way to the opposite side of where I had flushed him. Then he ran back to my trail and disappeared back into his hidey hole. I am sure glad his mother didn't appear during this event. She is pretty scary.
I do feel badly about startling the deer, but what to do? They are never in exactly the same place!
I do feel badly about startling the deer, but what to do? They are never in exactly the same place!
Fearless Doe
This is the fearless doe who just walks up and starts grazing. I think she is just one or two years old and is usually in the company of an older doe. The two wandered up while the weedeating was going on and then the leader took off and this one went to work eating.
Last Saturday when we took the dogs over we had a confrontation with a doe. We must have been between her and the fawn...she was very menacing, and the same thing happened on Thursday without the dogs. The Doe kept her eye on us the whole time we were near the suspect area. I have to be very careful. I have seen two fawn...maybe it is the same one. Impossible to tell.
The other wild life encounter while mowing was the most bizarre. I was following Stuart as he was weedeating a path thru dense vetch and shrubby vines and berries when I finally was able to look over the bank. There below me was a beautiful pink wild rose in bloom. I took a few photos though it was some distance down and there was no way I could get closer. When I walked about 10 feet farther down the new path, I felt something on my ankle, and I stopped to look down.
My god!...I couldn't even see my sock for all the huge red ants that were swarming my foot. I screamed and started whacking at them with my (thank god) gloved hands, and jumped around until I got rid of them all. It was really gross compared to the little ant swarms I have in my garden. Stuart must have hit a huge ant hill.
He is used to it and got a good laugh out of my distress!
We still haven't seen any big snakes since the little rosy boa when we were tearing down the old shack, but I am sure they are over there and that path seems like one of the likelier spots to encounter one.
I am keeping my eyes peeled.
To add insult to injury I also managed to get stabbed by a huge sack of star thistle that I was filling while Stuart worked. Forgetting what was in the sack, I hoisted it onto my back with a strong flinging motion, and YIKES!
That job of pulling star thistle is really a back breaker, and now that I have spent so much time blogging this am, I won't have to work on it today. best done in the early morning.
Last Saturday when we took the dogs over we had a confrontation with a doe. We must have been between her and the fawn...she was very menacing, and the same thing happened on Thursday without the dogs. The Doe kept her eye on us the whole time we were near the suspect area. I have to be very careful. I have seen two fawn...maybe it is the same one. Impossible to tell.
The other wild life encounter while mowing was the most bizarre. I was following Stuart as he was weedeating a path thru dense vetch and shrubby vines and berries when I finally was able to look over the bank. There below me was a beautiful pink wild rose in bloom. I took a few photos though it was some distance down and there was no way I could get closer. When I walked about 10 feet farther down the new path, I felt something on my ankle, and I stopped to look down.
My god!...I couldn't even see my sock for all the huge red ants that were swarming my foot. I screamed and started whacking at them with my (thank god) gloved hands, and jumped around until I got rid of them all. It was really gross compared to the little ant swarms I have in my garden. Stuart must have hit a huge ant hill.
He is used to it and got a good laugh out of my distress!
We still haven't seen any big snakes since the little rosy boa when we were tearing down the old shack, but I am sure they are over there and that path seems like one of the likelier spots to encounter one.
I am keeping my eyes peeled.
To add insult to injury I also managed to get stabbed by a huge sack of star thistle that I was filling while Stuart worked. Forgetting what was in the sack, I hoisted it onto my back with a strong flinging motion, and YIKES!
That job of pulling star thistle is really a back breaker, and now that I have spent so much time blogging this am, I won't have to work on it today. best done in the early morning.
Another small path.
With all the new paths that we cut in on Thursday afternoon, I will be able to walk about in much more shade. With care, I will be able to avoid most of the bigger paths and the road and stay undercover of the oaks.
Right now with the deer on the defense and sometimes on the offense, I don't always want to walk too close to the dense undergrowth. They hide those fawns well, but sometimes the fawns will venture out and then the doe becomes quite agressive.
I think I have identified four different does over there. There is one that limps, two that are a mother/daughter team, and the Big Bruiser Mama and her fawn. I have one photo of the spotted fawn, not too clear, but I might post it anyway. I might never get another chance at it.
Right now with the deer on the defense and sometimes on the offense, I don't always want to walk too close to the dense undergrowth. They hide those fawns well, but sometimes the fawns will venture out and then the doe becomes quite agressive.
I think I have identified four different does over there. There is one that limps, two that are a mother/daughter team, and the Big Bruiser Mama and her fawn. I have one photo of the spotted fawn, not too clear, but I might post it anyway. I might never get another chance at it.
Barbed Wire Scars
On the Copsey Creek side of the property, it is very densely overgrown with poison oak, berry brambles, willows, poplars, walnut trees, and oaks. There are remnants of old wire panels and bits and pieces of barbed wire. This tree is a perfect example of what happens when a tree is used as a fence post. The scarring on this tree shows that it probably came close at one time or another to girdling the tree.
Now that we have completed the small system of trails, I have noticed so much more than before...
Now that we have completed the small system of trails, I have noticed so much more than before...
Branta Canadensis Scat
Stuart mowed a circular area on a bluff above the creek, and when I went back the next day and walked out there, it appeared that the Canada Geese who are now living in the creek had already discovered it.
Shit all over! Mow and they will come apparently!
I have never seen them on this piece of property. I just assumed they spent most of their time at my neighbor's green grassy area and boat ramp. It is amazing that a family of three can leave such a mess. I wonder what Paul's yard looks like up close as he also has a doe with twin fawns, and a herd of about seven deer total.
Shit all over! Mow and they will come apparently!
I have never seen them on this piece of property. I just assumed they spent most of their time at my neighbor's green grassy area and boat ramp. It is amazing that a family of three can leave such a mess. I wonder what Paul's yard looks like up close as he also has a doe with twin fawns, and a herd of about seven deer total.
The Osprey came BACK!
Walking back down the road to meet up with Stuart who had started weed eating, I was quite startled to look up and see the Osprey on the nest! First time in 10 days, and the other Osprey was in a tree very close to the nest. I think they were quite startled to see me, and I barely was able to snap off this shot and then they were gone again. It is still unknown if there are eggs or chicks in the nest. We saw an Osprey fly over the nest last Saturday, so maybe my timing has been off.
In any case, I was happy to see them again even if they were unhappy with the little bit of mowing we did.
In any case, I was happy to see them again even if they were unhappy with the little bit of mowing we did.
St. John's Wort 1
While hiking around on the land, a friend and I climbed down a deer path to the shore of Copsey Creek. And there was St. John's Wort. Now I realize that I will have to go back to check to see if the flower has black spots on the pedals to determine if it is the native or the nonnative species called Klamath Weed.
As we clear more paths, there is more opportunity to find new plants that I couldn't see or, in some cases get close to. I think I will have to brave the thick soupy green water and tour the perimeter by kayak again.
As we clear more paths, there is more opportunity to find new plants that I couldn't see or, in some cases get close to. I think I will have to brave the thick soupy green water and tour the perimeter by kayak again.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Margot on the Job
Yesterday, clipboard in hand my sister and I walked the land looking at the different soils and all the different plants. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. Now to locate the soil profiles for that area.
I will have to post some of the plants that she identified for me that I had been wondering about. She also introduced me to a really interesting plant id site, called calflora. That was helpful in showing me the difference between two grasses that I though were something else.
Now I have a bug in my ear and am hoping it goes away.
I will have to post some of the plants that she identified for me that I had been wondering about. She also introduced me to a really interesting plant id site, called calflora. That was helpful in showing me the difference between two grasses that I though were something else.
Now I have a bug in my ear and am hoping it goes away.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Follow Me, Please
While walking, I again surprised a doe on the eastern edge of the land. She was so slow to move away, as if she wanted to make sure that I was not stopping. She led me all the way to the pond walking very slowly. I assume there was a fawn in the thick brush, but she is pretty plump, so maybe not.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Clouds over path
Ok, I admit it, I am besotted with paths, but with this huge cloud formation moving in, I couldn't help another photo. After I left and went home, I was treated to a audio show...thunder thunder thunder off to the east, Morgan Valley direction. Thankfully, there have not been any reports of lightening strike and fire.
Red Poppy...wildflower mix
Stopped me dead in my tracks...two of these were blooming in my test plot of wildflower mix. There were also two California poppies blooming.
Broken Blue Egg
Today I was able to only take a short circuit of the land for a lot of reasons. But it was sad to see that the Osprey nest was still vacant, and then at the end of the loop, I found two little blue eggs on the path. I had also seen one on my walk this morning. Maybe these spring winds are knocking these out of the nest, or perhaps some marauder is pecking them as appeared on at least one of them.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Salsify Puff Ball
How one day can be so much better than another. It was sheer bliss over on the land, even if I had to take plastic bags to pick up and remove yesterdays detritus.
I found my elderberry blooming in dense shade, saw a tiny fawn, and two does widely separated. And I found this! Exquisite.
The one thing I didn't see was an osprey, either on the nest or flying around. The last time I saw one was on Sunday morning, and as it started to land on the nest, a crow or raven took up the chase. Hard to tell from the ground what is going on up there if anything.
I found my elderberry blooming in dense shade, saw a tiny fawn, and two does widely separated. And I found this! Exquisite.
The one thing I didn't see was an osprey, either on the nest or flying around. The last time I saw one was on Sunday morning, and as it started to land on the nest, a crow or raven took up the chase. Hard to tell from the ground what is going on up there if anything.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Buckeye in bloom
While I had my eye peeled for a blooming elderberry today, the only ones I saw were on the other side of Copsey Creek. But on my side, the California Buckeye was in full bloom. Very beautiful and some solace for the appearance of the buckeye when their leaves turn brown in the middle of summer and fall away.
There is something about a path....
This afternoon, Stuart came over for two hours to cut in some more paths, and I realized that there is just something so compelling about paths.
I love to follow deer trails, and so some of the paths that we have been mowing are very close to some of the existing trails, if not right on them.
Poor Stuart, he put in 7.5 hours of weed eating all today today and just couldn't do more on my place. I surely understood. This is a very hard time of year in his line of work.
The unfortunate thing that upset my pleasure in the day and walking the paths as so gross that I didn't even consider photographing it. I probably should have but so disgusting compared to animal scat which I photo graph all the time.
This was at the base of a beautiful Oak tree where Stuart had decided to wait before weedeating. There was a pile of soiled toilet paper and a mound of human feces. Shit! No attempt to bury it, or cover it up, or even secure the toilet paper.
I did that, and tomorrow I will take a bag over and dispose of it. I don't want to make any fisherman upset, but I do think that since it was so close to the water, and the boat ramp, that is was probably a boater, if not a fisherman. Who else was likely to carry around a large amount of toilet paper?
People people people...
I love to follow deer trails, and so some of the paths that we have been mowing are very close to some of the existing trails, if not right on them.
Poor Stuart, he put in 7.5 hours of weed eating all today today and just couldn't do more on my place. I surely understood. This is a very hard time of year in his line of work.
The unfortunate thing that upset my pleasure in the day and walking the paths as so gross that I didn't even consider photographing it. I probably should have but so disgusting compared to animal scat which I photo graph all the time.
This was at the base of a beautiful Oak tree where Stuart had decided to wait before weedeating. There was a pile of soiled toilet paper and a mound of human feces. Shit! No attempt to bury it, or cover it up, or even secure the toilet paper.
I did that, and tomorrow I will take a bag over and dispose of it. I don't want to make any fisherman upset, but I do think that since it was so close to the water, and the boat ramp, that is was probably a boater, if not a fisherman. Who else was likely to carry around a large amount of toilet paper?
People people people...
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