The California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) was especially popular with developers and landscapers in my area during the 1950s and 1960s, and they can still be spotted thriving in some unexpected places even now. Not too surprising, since they typically live from 80 to 250 years, or even longer. It was hard to miss this lone pair growing along the […]
The waters of Folsom Lake may be at historically low levels this spring, but right now the shoreline that would normally be underwater is covered in something something even more beautiful. We found these purple lupine blanketing the ground at Rattlesnake Bar State Park on the north fork, but it seems to be blooming in profusion elsewhere on the lake […]
The disappointment of seeing ever-lower water levels at Folsom Lake on each successive visit is only just counterbalanced by the abundant wildflowers and the fact that, so far at least, everything looks very green and fresh. Now is the best time to get out hiking, before everything dries up and the temperatures start climbing beyond the magical springtime range into […]
This colorful sparrow is a new discovery for me, although they seem to live in the area year round. Both the male and female have similar markings. I found these while hiking around Peninsula Campground on the east shore of Folsom Lake.
It takes roughly an hour to make the long, winding drive from our house out to Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake, although sometimes it feels more like half the day. The last 11.5 miles take you along a twisting one-lane road full of blind corners; I’ve had more than one close call when someone came rocketing toward me, using the […]
Many times when I’m hiking a dirt trail I have to control a serious impulse to stop every few feet and shoot pictures both ahead and behind me. That’s especially true if I’m walking through a peaceful woodland, if the trail is surrounded by greenery and wildflowers, or if it’s so full of curves, switchbacks, and punishing hills that it […]
Hiking above the shoreline of Folsom Lake near Salmon Falls on April 2, I noticed this guy standing on a rock, and I just knew he was about to dive in. He may not have been the first swimmer of the season, but he had to be right up there on the list! But that wasn’t the only thing that […]
It’s been a strange week. I managed to accidentally publish my Wednesday post on Tuesday; then, having received the first of two Covid shots yesterday, I decided I just didn’t have the energy to try and fix my blogging mistakes. I hope to get back on track by tomorrow! Until then, here are a couple of images shot with my […]
Hiking the Pioneer Express Trail from the parking lot at Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging Area is a seriously up-and-down experience. There are some great views of Folsom Lake — but this time of the year, you’ll be too busy avoiding poison oak, watching swallowtail butterflies, and navigating up and down the horse-sized changes in altitude to notice the view. No […]