Walking in the Woods

I went to a party at my kids' house in Pollock Pines but I went a few hours early to do a little hiking. They were busy with getting ready so I went off by myself. I don't do that very often--at least not somewhere other than around here. I guess I wasn't completely alone because I had Ginny with me. I couldn't take all three dogs because the property below where my kids live is part of the Sly Park Recreation Area and dogs are supposed to be on leash--I can't deal with all three on the leash. Besides I didn't want three dogs party-crashing. This is a leisurely walk, all downhill at the beginning and then around the lake. As usual I had my camera and this time it didn't matter how long I sat in a field of yellow flowers to get the right photo. There are hiking and horse trails all through the area and I walked down one that......meets up with a short nature trail that follows a creek on it's way to the lake.

There is a cedar bark dwelling replica just off the trail.This is Jenkinson Lake. There camping areas all around it and lots of people on this Memorial Day weekend. I had Ginny on the leash and she had a lot of lessons in good behavior when meeting kids, bikes, etc. Matt had told me that it was about 10 miles from their house, around the lake, and back. When I was standing here I though that maybe I'd do that instead of just an out-and-back walk. I would continue to the left in this photo, go around the dam in the center of the photo and back to their place.After walking some more I came to this part of the lake and decided that maybe an around-the-lake walk wasn't going to work for today. This is a finger of the lake that juts back up the valley and I would have to walk all the way around this part and the main part of the lake in the other photo. So I went a little further up the west side here and then turned around but took a higher trail back that avoided some of the crowds that were nearer the lake.This is Ginny sitting on the dock. She didn't seem to care that the ground under her was rocking.That low growing shrub is mountain misery and here are some close-ups.Mountain misery is unique to the western slope of the Sierras and there is a lot of it. It has a pungent oily sap and can play a role in preventing erosion to hillsides in the years following major fires. On the other hand those same deep far-reaching roots use up a lot of moisture and may prevent other plants from becoming established. I don't live in the mountains so don't deal with it as a "weed" and I like the fragrance--it reminds me of the forest after a rain.I came across a small area of striking yellow on a south facing slope. I didn't identify these flowers but in their midst I found some......monkey flowers. At least I'm pretty sure they are Mimulus but I don't know which species.What I noticed first about them were the seed pods.What I noticed first about them were the seed pods.

 The deep green of the trees was in striking contrast to those yellow flowers but the new growth of the trees is a contrast of greens in itself. Back to the more shady woods, taking one of the trails up to the house.

Wild rose.

I don't remember this one but do you see what is on the leaf?

Don't tell Rusty and Maggie where we were. I feel guilty leaving them home.  This was fun for Ginny and me and Ginny got about 6 miles of on-leash work on manners.

Drone View

My son was here with his drone again. It is always interesting to see the place from a perspective I wouldn't otherwise see. I still think it's odd to see this object hovering and darting about.  The sheep aren't big fans unless if up high enough that they don't notice it. Here is someone else who noticed it.I don't know if she wanted to warn it off... ...catch it and kill it... ...or play with it. However, she never got close enough.

Here are the views:

 From over the barn looking east "Across the Road". The green to the right is part of our pasture. The brown to the left is the neighbor's place. Our house and garage, etc is in the center at the bottom of the photo. From over the barn looking south. The green in the lower half is our pasture. I've been strip grazing from right to left.  This view is looking north. That line of trees just above the lower quarter or so is our boundary. The hay field is the neighbor. By the way, except for a few trees between the house and the road we planted (or let grow) all the trees that are here.The view to the west. Our border is the dirt road and canal in the center of the photo. The drone is hovering over the barn.

Jepson Prairie in Early April

Yesterday I visited Jepson Prairie, a nature preserve owned by the Solano Land Trust, that is only about 15 miles from here. This is the time of year to see the wildflowers in this remnant of native landscape.   The patches of goldfields (Lasthenia species) are spectacular.   View to the southwest.View to the west. But there is more than just goldfields in this gold field.The yellow and white flowers are butter and eggs (Triphysaria erianthum)

The purple flowers here are Downingia species.    Brass buttons (Cotula coronopifolia). I looked this up and its a native of Africa. The other flowers I've listed are CA natives. How about the name of this one? It's a species of Wool Flower, requiring a host support. Another species that grows in my pasture is shown here. (If you like this then google hippos and manatees in Stockton.)

Jepson Prairie is also home to wildlife.

 I rather amazed myself by getting some decent shots of flying birds...maybe not National Geographic quality, but OK for me. These are Canada geese.

I saw these birds walking across the gravel road to get from one part of the lake to the other. I thought that was rather odd......but looked them up and found that "coots have strong legs and can walk and run vigorously. They tend to have short, rounded wings and are weak fliers"This bird is an avocet. I will admit that although I know the Canada goose, I didn't know the other birds. I ran into a docent in the preserve and asked him. Maybe I'll remember these two.

I want to go back before the wildflower season is completely over. There are docent-led walks every weekend through Mother's Day so maybe I'll make one of those.