Exactly a year ago today according to my notes, I was investigating how to take title and how to frame my name when I made my offer on the Land. At that time I had been over at least once, and there was still a small puddle of water in the bottom of the pond.
When I took this photo on 8/8, 10 days ago, there was no water at all. And I am not sure how long it had been dry as I didn't walk down to the very bottom until the 8th.
Makes me wonder if I should just go ahead and fix up the pump house, put in a new pump and solar panels, ditch witch across and plumb to the pond. Those thirsty animals might really appreciate well water, rather than some of the water from the creeks.
The Algae is much better the past week, but now on Copsey Creek there is a real problem with mosquitos. I ran into Mosquito Abatement folks in a row boat on my land when they couldn't go further up Copsey due to low water. They wanted to spray. I mentioned that while I had seen the mosquitoes, I had not been bitten at all. They explained that these mosquitoes only fed on avians, and the threat was to the diseases spread by bird to bird contact.
I left them to that job, and thanked them for the mosquito fish which have been so helpful in the doggie wading pool.
I haven't been getting over to walk more than once a week, but will make a concerted effort this week to put in two days. There is some weedeating to be done on a couple of paths and while Stuart swears it is save as long as he uses the string it still worries me.
I want the lush wildflower area mowed down of this years stalks and star thistle. I have recently learned that even though the thistle will rebloom low to the ground, that the seed production is much reduced. If we keep after it...If if if.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Rampant Rabbit
This large fellow would be perfect copied and flipped to form a pair of Rampant Rabbits for a shield. Wish I were techie enough to design a shield on the computer with RR surrounding an Arching Oak, with a resting fox on top surmounted with a spread winged Osprey with fish in it's claws.
With the weather cooling off into the low 90s, I should be getting over to the land more these days, but again, the familiar plaint...only so much cool time and so much to cram into those hours.
And tomorrow I have errands that take me out of county again, so maybe early Tuesday morning will be the time. The Creeks are clearing out a bit since the dam has been opened, and that should effect some of the birds, hopefully in a positive way.
The little pond still has water in it, but I wouldn't mind this tiny bit of rain that might just come our way.
With the weather cooling off into the low 90s, I should be getting over to the land more these days, but again, the familiar plaint...only so much cool time and so much to cram into those hours.
And tomorrow I have errands that take me out of county again, so maybe early Tuesday morning will be the time. The Creeks are clearing out a bit since the dam has been opened, and that should effect some of the birds, hopefully in a positive way.
The little pond still has water in it, but I wouldn't mind this tiny bit of rain that might just come our way.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Fox on path
I drove up to the gate this morning and realized that I had been holding my breath. I hadn't been able to walk since last Monday, almost a week. My old dog Quiz had been down and things didn't look good so distractions kept me away.
It felt so good to get back and I started just to walk and walk on a very hot morning, around 8:30. I really didn't have great expectations, but it just was blissful to breath in that clean air, scent of tar weed, listen to bird songs...no one was up and using power tools yet, so it was perfect.
On my first foray down a narrow path I ran right into a Doe who bolted...saw three more deer in quick succession. Then onto the creek where the blue-green algae was not as severe, and on around on my loop. Egrets, swallows, wood ducks, all very peaceful and quiet.
On my last loop around, I decided to walk down a small path which deadends at the creek and a huge Manzanita. I only took a few steps when I saw something come toward me on the path. At first I thought it was a cat, then I realized there were two, and they were foxes! Talk about excited. Luckily I was wearing a dress with big pockets, and my camera was very accessible. I grabbed it and started shooting just before they spotted me.
I will post most of the shots on flicker...for once my excitement didn't get the better of me, and these two,( I am guessing mother and kit, as the second one was much smaller,) were very curious about me too.
It is days like this that make me feel a bit selfish for keeping most people out, and doing a lot of walking by myself. If I had had company, I doubt we would have been quiet enough to have this encounter.
On the way back to the car, I ran into the doe and her twins, the lame deer, a giant jack rabbit, and a beer bottle. All in a day's walk. Wonderful!
It felt so good to get back and I started just to walk and walk on a very hot morning, around 8:30. I really didn't have great expectations, but it just was blissful to breath in that clean air, scent of tar weed, listen to bird songs...no one was up and using power tools yet, so it was perfect.
On my first foray down a narrow path I ran right into a Doe who bolted...saw three more deer in quick succession. Then onto the creek where the blue-green algae was not as severe, and on around on my loop. Egrets, swallows, wood ducks, all very peaceful and quiet.
On my last loop around, I decided to walk down a small path which deadends at the creek and a huge Manzanita. I only took a few steps when I saw something come toward me on the path. At first I thought it was a cat, then I realized there were two, and they were foxes! Talk about excited. Luckily I was wearing a dress with big pockets, and my camera was very accessible. I grabbed it and started shooting just before they spotted me.
I will post most of the shots on flicker...for once my excitement didn't get the better of me, and these two,( I am guessing mother and kit, as the second one was much smaller,) were very curious about me too.
It is days like this that make me feel a bit selfish for keeping most people out, and doing a lot of walking by myself. If I had had company, I doubt we would have been quiet enough to have this encounter.
On the way back to the car, I ran into the doe and her twins, the lame deer, a giant jack rabbit, and a beer bottle. All in a day's walk. Wonderful!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Poised to Flee
This morning I went over to haul the rest of the brush that we cut on Thursday over to the big brush pile. I deliberately did not go near any of the know fawn haunts as I was earlier than usual and didn't want to disturb them. I was also in a hurry to get to work to avoid this beastly heat.
After I hauled the brush and almost got mowed down by a huge Great Blue Heron, I decided to finish the circuit in the opposite direction before heading home. It wasn't even 9am, but already hot as hell in the sunshine. I was trudging up my little hill, avoiding the narrow path by the deer spot, when suddenly I glanced to my left, and there they were, a darling tableau, posing just for me.
It was amazed how long they stayed, I was sure that when I reached into my pocket for my camera they would bolt, but no...then I realized that I could get better light if I climbed a little past them, they still stayed until I was done. They were starting to move a bit as I left. I sure don't want them to become too habituated to me. Of course they live right in the midst of a pretty large area of housing, since I see them or a trio just like them feeding on my neighbor's lawn.
Anyway, I loved the light on their ears, added a rather rosy glow to the morning.
After I hauled the brush and almost got mowed down by a huge Great Blue Heron, I decided to finish the circuit in the opposite direction before heading home. It wasn't even 9am, but already hot as hell in the sunshine. I was trudging up my little hill, avoiding the narrow path by the deer spot, when suddenly I glanced to my left, and there they were, a darling tableau, posing just for me.
It was amazed how long they stayed, I was sure that when I reached into my pocket for my camera they would bolt, but no...then I realized that I could get better light if I climbed a little past them, they still stayed until I was done. They were starting to move a bit as I left. I sure don't want them to become too habituated to me. Of course they live right in the midst of a pretty large area of housing, since I see them or a trio just like them feeding on my neighbor's lawn.
Anyway, I loved the light on their ears, added a rather rosy glow to the morning.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hunting Egret Cache Creek
I have never seen so many egrets right across the creek from my house. But then I have never seen Cache Creek almost bank to bank with thick thick mats of blue green algae. It is really becoming unbelieveable but one can get used to anything, even if it smells like this.
If there are this many opportunistic birds of all kinds down here, I wonder what in the world it must be like down at the dam! A few minutes ago, I counted at least five egrets, three great blue herons, many small birds all enjoying whatever bounty they can capture in these mats.
I will be going near the state park tonight, and I bet the water there is clear compared to this end of the lake. Location, location,location as they say!
Even though I took this from my garden, it could belong equally to the land at Cache and Copsey. We startled a lot of big hunting birds when we went over to clear brush. 104o, not a great idea.
If there are this many opportunistic birds of all kinds down here, I wonder what in the world it must be like down at the dam! A few minutes ago, I counted at least five egrets, three great blue herons, many small birds all enjoying whatever bounty they can capture in these mats.
I will be going near the state park tonight, and I bet the water there is clear compared to this end of the lake. Location, location,location as they say!
Even though I took this from my garden, it could belong equally to the land at Cache and Copsey. We startled a lot of big hunting birds when we went over to clear brush. 104o, not a great idea.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Purple ring on Teasel
I have never seen the Teasel at this particular stage...some were blooming and then there was this one with the purple buds just showing color in one area. In WEEDS OF THE WEST, I just learned that in the second year of the growth cycle, these little spiny heads and purple flower show up. The first year, this biennial plant is only a flat rosette.
I always have been fascinated by the tall dried out thistles, it is really neat to see them in their green state along the banks of Cache Creek.
I always have been fascinated by the tall dried out thistles, it is really neat to see them in their green state along the banks of Cache Creek.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Lookout!
This morning I got to the land about 8:45 am, much later than I had hoped. But I was still rewarded.
After I closed the gate, I spotted the first Turkey of the season. Amazingly, she was alone and walking down the paths that we had mowed, hunting and pecking. Too far away for a good shot. Then I realized that between us standing stock still was a doe and her fawn, blending in with the brush along Copsey Creek.
As I climbed the little hill, thru the oaks I could make out a large bird on what I think of as the vulture tree or osprey tree depending on who is there. Today they both were...one vulture and two Osprey. One stayed with the Vulture and the other flew on down to the creek.
Next up was the doe and her twin fawns. Really on a roll, I found a small flock of Green Herons but they are always just out of range. Tomorrow I will take the camera with the stronger telephoto and see what I can get.
Forgetting all about the turkey, I was suddenly reminded when she appeared on the bank of the pond, practically under my feet. Of course by the time I regrouped, all I got was a blurry shot of her board back.
Next up was another, or the same, doe and fawn, and this quail warning everyone of my walk along the edge of the field.
All in all a lovely morning.
Tomorrow a friend and I are meeting at 7am to see what we might be able to see...extra batteries, two cameras and luck!
After I closed the gate, I spotted the first Turkey of the season. Amazingly, she was alone and walking down the paths that we had mowed, hunting and pecking. Too far away for a good shot. Then I realized that between us standing stock still was a doe and her fawn, blending in with the brush along Copsey Creek.
As I climbed the little hill, thru the oaks I could make out a large bird on what I think of as the vulture tree or osprey tree depending on who is there. Today they both were...one vulture and two Osprey. One stayed with the Vulture and the other flew on down to the creek.
Next up was the doe and her twin fawns. Really on a roll, I found a small flock of Green Herons but they are always just out of range. Tomorrow I will take the camera with the stronger telephoto and see what I can get.
Forgetting all about the turkey, I was suddenly reminded when she appeared on the bank of the pond, practically under my feet. Of course by the time I regrouped, all I got was a blurry shot of her board back.
Next up was another, or the same, doe and fawn, and this quail warning everyone of my walk along the edge of the field.
All in all a lovely morning.
Tomorrow a friend and I are meeting at 7am to see what we might be able to see...extra batteries, two cameras and luck!
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