The heron stood still for me, and then first one deer, and then this one. This deer seemed very conflicted caught as he was between the camera and the heron. He finally wandered off to join the first deer to cross this path.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Western Pond Turtle escaping the flood?
Last year I had reports of pond turtles making nests on my land near the pond, but I never saw the nests. Today I spotted this Western Pond Turtle moving away from the creek, on a mission. I think it might be too early to make a nest and lay eggs, and I don't even know if this is a male or female turtle. Guess I better read up on Western Pond Turtles .
There are several more photos of today's storm and turtles on my flickr site:
There are several more photos of today's storm and turtles on my flickr site:
Washout, Copsey Creek
The strong rains led to a washout in an totally unexpected place on the bank of Copsey Creek. I think it is a spot where the deer had made a substantial trail down to the willows, and the repeated traffic had made quite a path. So much rain after so long without, did the trick. It is impossible to do anything about it now without aggravating the whole hillside there, and I have no desire to end up in the swiftly flowing Copsey.
But it is a lesson learned...not all erosion is man made by a long shot.
But it is a lesson learned...not all erosion is man made by a long shot.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Underside of golden mushroom
I delayed going back to check the underneath of the golden mushroom and this is what I found. Something had kicked it over...I am guessing a deer perhaps browsing and didn't like it?
In any event, I am not any farther along for knowing that it had gills and was growing out of soil, not rotting wood.
In any event, I am not any farther along for knowing that it had gills and was growing out of soil, not rotting wood.
Merganser Cache Creek
I walked over yesterday just to take a photo of the golden mushroom from a different angle and was thinking that I hadn't seem much new so far this winter. True all the egrets were in the field and that was new and different, but something exciting was missing.
Today I startled this Common Merganser and was able to get a few good shots.
My first photo of a common Merganser. She was very slow and I got a lot of good shots as she swam around the point. When I came back later, she took off leaving the male behind but he was out of range.
This made me so happy I might have to post several photos on flickr.
Today I startled this Common Merganser and was able to get a few good shots.
My first photo of a common Merganser. She was very slow and I got a lot of good shots as she swam around the point. When I came back later, she took off leaving the male behind but he was out of range.
This made me so happy I might have to post several photos on flickr.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Egrets in field
When I first arrived this morning, there were five egrets and one great blue heron in the middle of the field, in the area where the vernal pools will be if it ever really begins to rain enough for run off.
I don't remember egrets feeding in the fields before, maybe they got the idea from the heron.
While some flew off, these three stayed the whole time I was walking around, so there must have been good hunting.
I love this winter scene with the different colored grasses, all dun and dry, the small blue oak with all the leaves gone.
I don't remember egrets feeding in the fields before, maybe they got the idea from the heron.
While some flew off, these three stayed the whole time I was walking around, so there must have been good hunting.
I love this winter scene with the different colored grasses, all dun and dry, the small blue oak with all the leaves gone.
Golden Mushroom
This single mushroom stood out in the field...if the field hadn't been so wet, I might have gotten down to look underneath to see what the gill situation was.
I have never seen anything quite like this and while there were lots of other fungi around, there was nothing like this anywhere else to be seen. It was sprouting from the soil.
I will go back tomorrow for a closer look. AS near as I can tell, it might be some sort of Amanita.
I have never seen anything quite like this and while there were lots of other fungi around, there was nothing like this anywhere else to be seen. It was sprouting from the soil.
I will go back tomorrow for a closer look. AS near as I can tell, it might be some sort of Amanita.
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