Lucky feather
Morning rendezvous
Now and then, if I’m out early enough, I might encounter a doe (or maybe three) in the brushy parkland around Lake Natoma. But it’s a very rare treat for me to spot a buck, and especially one as close as the one I saw yesterday morning around 6 a.m. This early in the summer, his impressive rack is still […]
Early birds
I have to admit I’ve gotten out of the habit of rising early and hitting the local trails with my camera; but lately I’m trying to do better. Getting out early means cooler temperatures, fewer people, and a higher likelihood of spotting some interesting local wildlife. The young bald eagles have pretty much left the nest, but the other day […]
Cardinal meadowhawk
This gorgeous bright red naiad (Sympetrum illotum) was a very cool surprise near the end of a fairly warm hike yesterday morning.
Sun flowers
Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) and Madia elegans (common madia).
Flower falls
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits — James 1:11, RSV
Bug-eyes
Upward trail
Fallen giant
Our recent drought is sadly still taking a toll on the trees around Negro Bar State Park and Mississippi Bar. It seems like every couple of weeks another big tree comes crashing down. It’s enough to keep me wary as I hike the trails!