This morning I went to the lake again. Most of you know how much I love walking at the lake and that I usually avoid the paved path as much as possible and prefer the dirt trails. About ten days ago I inhured my left leg while riding my bike; at the same time the sciatica (that I have had since I was a teenager) became more painful on my right side so that walking actually did hurt and I felt limited in my outdoor activities (I still walked but it wasn't quite that enjoyable).
Today was the first day that everything felt much better and of course I was off to the lake with the intention to hit the dirt trails again. I started out on the Fisherman's Trail which is an easy trail.
However, pretty soon I left it and ventured into rougher terrain - my prefered choice. After a couple minutes I spotted this California Quail (Callipepla californica) sitting on a tree stump. To my suprise he didn't fly away when I stopped and started to take pictures of him. Usually they're quite skittish and disappear in the bushes.
Next I discovered two deer relaxing away from the trail. Can you see them? They're not easy to spot. Look for those ears!
I was glad to see this sign:
For several years the park has "hired" sheep and goats for their vegetation management. Especially the goats are highly effective, they eat practically almost everything to the ground. I love this kind of natural wildfire prevention. Unfortunately there will be new rules that will probably make it more difficult for the businesses who offer this kind of environmentally friendly solutions. I quite don't understand why these new rules will be enforced, they make absolutely no sense to me and will only result in less "sheep and goat" businesses and higher prices. As far as I understand, these rules concern the shepherds (payment, benefits etc) which is a step in the right direction, but unfortunately the way it is done will not bring the desired results. In my opinion (that no one wants to hear anyway) we need more of these businesses and they should be financially supported (what about if all the big corporations would start paying their taxes? Then there would be money for these small businesses that actually do something good for our planet). But I digress...
I loved this tree with its big hole in front of the huge water tanks (our emergency water).
Purple and Yellow Star-thistles lined my way (Centaurea calcitrapa and Centaurea solstitialis) as well as old tree stumps.
And then I discovered a new trail! I couldn't believe it - I thought that after more than 20 years I know every trail by and near the lake, but I was obviously mistaken. New adventures are awaiting!
I love this landscape so much - it is engraved in my heart and soul. It might look bare and very dry, even a bit hostile, but it is full of life. Our planet is so incredibly beautiful - and we have done such a lousy job taking care of it.
Yesterday was the first supermoon in August - yes, there are two supermoons this month, it will be a super blue moon on August 30 (or a blue supermoon, take your pick). Yesterday's moon was a sturgeon supermoon. Did you see it? We had a rather cloudy sky thanks to the coastal fog a.k.a. marine layer. It made a dramatic photo.
What about dinner for Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date? A few weeks ago I found a recipe for sheet-pan chicken with zucchini and basil. It was easy and turned out very delicious. It was such a lovely evening that we had dinner in the garden. Of course, it was accompanied by a glass of cool rosé.
.jpg)
14 comments:
I am so glad that you felt well enough to resume walking - and so grateful that you took us along.
Such an original landscape and nature you have uncovered. I should do similar in my area
Such a great walk, Carola. There are so many beneficial ways to achieve biologically sound management of our wild spaces (it almost sounds like a contradiction in terms) and with the global risks of wildfires becoming greater every year, it is vital that we adopt these practices. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure, but we seem slow to recognize that simple fact. Great dinner too. I think you deserved a second glass of rosé. Best wishes - David
That quail looks like he was just waiting for someone to come along and take his photo. And boy, deer are perfectly adapted with some great camo too. These are more lovely photos Carola. And I have right leg sciatica too. It can be such a pain to deal with-quite literally also. And your chicken looks yummy. That's a great moon shot. When we went out in our boat this past Sunday you could tell it was going to be a supermoon because the high tide was so high and the low tide was incredibly low. I hope you're having a great week. hugs-Erika
Darum bin ich so ängstlich mit dem Rad. Gut, dass nichts Schlimmes passiert ist...
Gute Idee mit den Tieren und toller Mond!
Sieht tatsächlich sehr trocken aus bei euch.
You have been walking through a beautiful trail, lovely to see deer and beautiful birds, too. I miss my long walks just now, but hope I can get back to them soon. We didn't see the moon here, it was rainy and very cloudy, such a pity! Your dinner looks good, too! Hugs, Valerie
Beautiful photos and the food looks delicious!
Thanks for sharing the beauties of your walk.
Happy Thursday
Much💖love
That is quite a shot you got of the quail! I have tried many times to photograph them, and once one sat on a fence for a minute... but he was kind of far away.
I couldn't see that moon because it was too overcast already, or something, when the moon came up. But I hope the sky will be clearer at the end of the month, for the Blue Moon. I need to tie a string around my finger to remember! Or maybe just establish a nightly habit of going outside for a last look before bedtime.
...Carola, the summer is turning your landscape brown and crisp. Stay cool and well and enjoy your summer weekend.
Interesting collection of photos. I like that sign, and your commentary about it.
I'm glad that your walking difficulties became less, Carola! Thank you for sharing this wonderful walk. I believe that you can find beautify and life just about anywhere on our planet. I saw the superman in Nova Scotia. It was glorious. Enjoy your remaining time at your lake!
The tours you do are beautiful. I also love to explore the area on impassable paths. You were able to spot and above all photograph a large selection of animals. Thank you... it's wonderful to look at.
We couldn't see the super moon because of a cloudy sky... so I booked the night of 30./31. August on the calendar!
Lots of joy for you out in nature. Enjoy... it's heaven on earth :-))
The chicken with the vegetables looks delicious and eating in the garden with a glass of wine is just lovely.
I made roulades and already the first plum cake with yeast dough and butter crumble on top... I covered some leftover dough with quark cream eggs and raisins... Coffee and cake also are - wonderful :-)))
Happy week to you. Good tours.
Hug of Viola
Liebe Carola, zum Glück scheint es dir mit dem Bein und den Ischiasbeschwerden wieder besser zu gehen - dein Ausflug kommt mir jedenfalls recht ausgedehnt vor. Ich finde die Landschaft, durch die du uns mitgenommen hast, übrigens keineswegs feindselig, sondern auf karge Weise poetisch. (So, wie ein wortkarger Mensch nicht zwangsläufig ablehnend ist, sondern sich vielleicht nur an die "Schweigen ist Gold"-Weisheit hält.) Mir kommt vor, dass auch du dich still und behutsam durch die Landschaft bewegst, ein Teil von ihr bist und dass deshalb die Tiere nicht die Flucht vor dir ergriffen haben. Schön war der Spaziergang mit dir! Und ich mag auch deine Gedanken, die du dir unterwegs gemacht hast...
Alles Liebe
Traude
🌼🪴🍀🌻❤️🌼🪴🍀🌻
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/08/ruckblick-auf-den-rostrosen-sommer-2023.html
PS: Wir hatten heute Hühnerflügel aus dem Rohr (mein Mann nur mit scharfer Sauce, ich mit Zucchini) :-D
Post a Comment