BIRTHDAY HIKE – Sometime in February ☺ ☺ ☺

Went on a wonderful hike in Cuyamaca State Park with by hiking buddies, Myrna and Chris. The weather was perfect: after about 15 minutes of hiking we took off jackets and hiked in our shirtsleeves, and I in my shorts.

Chris had picked out the hike as it is one of her favorites. This was the Dyar Springs/Juaquapin Loop. It started at the Sweetwater River Parking area just North of Green Valley Falls C.G.

The first half mile the trail was quite rough due to an earlier muddy season, but then it leveled out a bit and got to be what one usually experiences. The wildflowers have started to bloom and we enjoyed the sweet smell of ceanothus perplexans, desert ceanothus; Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Eastwood Manzanita, Encelia californica, California sunflower; Lamium amplexiaule, Henbit; Paeonia californica, California peony; and Sidalcea sparsifolia, Checkerbloom.

 

DESERT CEANOTHUS/CEANOTHUS PERPLEXANS

Eastwood Manzanita/ Arctostaphylos glandulosa

Wild Peony/ Paeonia californica

Checkerbloom/Sidalcea sparsifolia

 

Henbit/Lamium amplexicaule

Here is a plant I have not yet been able to identify. Your help would be much appreciated.

There were several large meadows to walk by and we were rewarded with seeing 18 mule deer in the distance. 

Mule Deer Herd

Then we saw evidence of the cycle of life with the rib cage skeleton of a deer as well as it’s lower jaw.

At Dyar Spring we saw evidence of the harvesting of acorns by the Kumyaay with deep morteros in the nearby rocks. 

Granite Formation

Peaceful Scene

Grinding Rock

Many grinding holes

A distant view made me think of the Smoky Mountains -

To celebrate the occasion we had a dessert treat at the Descanso Junction Restaurant on our way home. They have done some remodeling since I was last there as well as upgraded the menu. We enjoyed apple dumpling (Chris), cherry pie (Myrna), and Chocolate volcano cake (NKV). They were all delicious. Sorry no pictures but they were beautiful and delicious.

DUNES AND BIRDS - FEBRUARY 2015

DUNES AND BIRDS

Over the President's Day Weekend I joined two fellow photographers on a venture to the Imperial Dunes near Glamis, CA; and onto the Salton Sea.

The Imperial Dunes are mostly a destination for those who like to ride dune buggies and motorcycles. It is located in Imperial County and is bisected by State route 78. Motorized vehicles are allowed on the South side of State Route 78. However on the North side the only access is by foot or horseback. This makes for some pristine dunes. We were looking to photograph in the North Section.

We scouted the area, took pictures of the motorized fun, 

 and then retreated to the Glamis Beach Store for a cold drink and a couple of pieces of pizza. We then headed out to find a place for capturing the late afternoon and sunset light on the dunes. After walking from the Overlook and crossing the Highway, we quickly found a couple of spots. As there has not been any rain lately the dunes were quite soft and we were glad that we did not have to stagger up a very steep dune. It was a fun evening and the sunset was good. 

 

Dry Grasses and Ripples

Dunes and Grasses

Dune Detail

Dunes Sunset 1

Dunes Sunset 2

Dunes Sunset 3

After a good night’s sleep at the Brawley Inn we were off early to the Salton Sea which is to the North for sunrise and bird photography. Sunrise was not particularly noteworthy, but we did enjoy seeing the Sea in soft light .   

Cormorants and Moon

Tree Skeletons

Salton Sea Morning

We went in search of the burrowing owl, but were not successful in seeing any. I was able to spot a couple of burrows though. Then it was onto Unit 1 where we did succeed in capturing some birds –

Black-Necked Stilts —

White Pelicans – 

 

and high overhead some Sandhill Cranes --

The drive home was through the Southern part of Anza-Borrego State Park, Julian, and Ramona via the Old Julian Highway and Wildcat Canyon Road which my passengers were not really familiar with and they enjoyed the back roads tour.

LA JOLLA BIRDS - 8 FEB

Decided last night to go do some photography this morning. Was planning on Santee Lakes, but the morning dawned clear and sunny. So I changed course and headed for La Jolla Cove to photograph the brown pelicans in their beautiful colors.

They did not disappoint me. They are close to their peak breeding plumage which consists of a black neck, a very red pouch, and a gold colored cap. As there was little wind in the morning, the birds just stood around on the bluff. Occasionally one would fly off to do some fishing.

Staring You Down

The cormorants were lined up on a lower ledge just enjoying the sunshine. They too were not ready to go flying or fishing.

After a while I moved over to the coast walk, met up with my friend Debbie, and waited for the birds to fly by. One had to be patient as they were not very active. While there I was also able to photograph a couple of shore birds:  
The Black Turnstone---

Sanderling ---

and the Royal Tern ---

  

While returning to my car I passed a few seals resting on the rocks. This was my favorite – waiting for Mom/breakfast. 

 

It was a great day even without a lot of flight shots. I really enjoyed being out there and seeing these beautiful creatures.

 

SYCAMORE CANYON, SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Friday I met with a hiking partner, Myrna, for a stroll up Sycamore Canyon here in San Diego. I did not know how much we were going to hike and assumed it would be  out to Gooden Ranch and return.

Myrna is also known as the “Fearless Leader” and suggested we add to the hike by going North to the Goodan Staging Area before turning back South. So off we went with a stop at the memorial to Ranger Martha lived a full and adventuresome life as a leader in outdoor education, etc.

After that loop we enjoyed a short break back at the Ranger Station and site of the Goodan Ranch and restocked on some water. We then proceeded South to the “Sidewinder” trail which led us up to the ridge on the East side of the canyon. It was a great view once we were there and along the way we saw California poppies, California sun cup,

California Sun Cup

ground pink, winecup, and popcorn flower. The whole vista was open country with Sycamore Canyon to the West, and I believe Slaugterhouse Canyon to the East. 

Sycamore Canyon

Goodan Ranch Site/Now a Visitor Center

It was wonderful to see and realize some the wilderness that still exists close to metropolitan San Diego.

Out in the middle of Sycamore Canyon there was a large rock which had been painted white. It also had a large millipede painted on it. 

Painted Rock

Though the canyon is named Sycamore Canyon, there were lots of old coastal live oak trees with their large branches and shade which is much welcomed in the summer. These oaks are a signature tree of the area

We were both quite glad to return to our cars, tired but happy and filled with a feeling of accomplishment.