First Day out

I had every intention of taking part in the local First Day Hike scheduled for 8 A.M. last Sunday morning. The weather was cooperative; stormy New Year’s Eve gave way to a sunny, if chilly, New Year’s Day. I had managed to beat back a minor head cold, and the Big Guy was up early, heading out to Folsom Lake […]

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One foggy morning

This is the time of year when I tend to start thinking fondly of wintertime’s cold and dreary days. I promise myself that when the seasons change and the temperature begins to drop I’ll more fully appreciate the chance to get out and do something in the outdoors. I enjoy looking back at some of my photos from previous winter […]

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Memory Monday: Hicks Album, Week 1

After last Monday’s teaser, I thought I should jump right in (no pun intended) with photos from early spring 2010 shot along the American River near the Foresthill Bridge. Just browsing through these images is making me impatient for spring to arrive this year — with its (hopefully) high water levels, mosquitos, and poison oak, to say nothing of the […]

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D’oh! in the fog

I was feeling a bit smug as I tramped around Rossmoor Bar with the Big Guy yesterday morning; I’d already come up with a bright idea for a blog post title (see above) based on my lack of confidence at finding any deer, let alone giant bucks, in the fog. But then after walking around for over an hour and […]

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Morning rounds

Here are a few images from my visit to Rossmoor Bar this morning, on the south side of the American River in Rancho Cordova. While the bike and hiking trails that run alongside the river are pleasant enough, sometimes it’s more rewarding to break away from the crowds and follow your own path.

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River of gold

If our current drought conditions continue, fresh water will soon become even more precious as we once again start looking for ways to conserve. Much of my local drinking water comes from the American River via Folsom Lake; and the shrinking water supply is very much on my mind even as I enjoy the beauty of the river’s south fork, […]

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Hide and seek

I’m not sure how long this young Blacktail buck was standing there watching us approach. He was hiding in plain sight just off the dirt trail — but neither of us spotted him until he decided we were close enough, thanks very much, and turned to trot behind the bushes and out of sight.

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