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.
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