This field of baby blue eyes shows the scorched area of the Chalk Fire. That is Cone Peak in the background.
These are the baby blue eyes, a little closer up. I have one more hillside of baby blues to add to this post later tonight, if possible.
Category: Classic Big Sur
*Poppies, field
*Poppies, field, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Chalk Fire burn area, taken on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd.
What I learned today …
Never buy ice cream when the wildflowers are going OFF! It will be a gooey mess when one gets home.
Photos of the wildflowers later. The gooey mess I am trying to salvage in the freezer.
Before one of today’s wildflower shots, this from NOAA’s discussion: ” RAIN SHOWERS STILL APPEAR A GOOD BET MONDAY
INTO TUESDAY WITH TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW NORMAL. POTENTIAL TO PICK UP SOME BENEFICIAL LATE SEASON RAIN WITH LOW SNOW LEVELS IN THE SIERRAS."
*Poppies, close-up
*Poppies, close-up, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
This is dedicated to long-time Big Sur local, Paul Vieregge, who passed over yesterday at home at the age of 87. Blessings to you, Paul, from the beloved hills of home. My heart goes out to Penny and Josh.
*Indian Warrior
*Indian Warrior, originally uploaded by wind_dancer. (Pedicularis densiflorus)
A legend I heard years ago about these unusual flowers, was that whenever an Indian Warrior was killed in battle, his blood soaked the soil, and these flowers bloomed.
I don’t like the way the color turned out on these. The flowers are actually between red and maroon. I played with the white balance on my camera, and still couldn’t get them quite right. Notice the fern-like leaves on these flowers.
I found these in the burn area of the Chalk Fire today.
Chalk Fire Burn Area & Wildflowers
This afternoon, I took a trip through the Chalk Fire Burn Area, looking for wildflowers, and found many. I’ll be posting a few examples here, over the next few days. Parts of the forest are still incredibly devastated, and others are recovering nicely. One thing that was just astounding was the vibrant green of the hills where the fire-retardant was dropped. I had been told years ago that it was a fertilizer, but boy, I’ve never seen the effect as clearly as I did today. I have shots of some of these places, or I watched, as the planes dropped the retardant. The affect is not to be believed.
This is straight out of the camera, but it looks surreal! Wherever the retardant was dropped, is now an emerald field!
South Coast Ridge Rd., and the forest it traverses, is still closed to the public from Nacimiento Rd. to Willow Creek Rd. However, many wildflowers are viewable from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. I’d advise caution, however, as there are LOTS of tourists on that road, at least today, and most of them were apparently afraid of the edge, and preferred the wrong side of the road!
Watch for photos throughout the week. I will try to post one tonight as a teaser. 😉
And finally, a note about our rather “overzealous” new USFS “cop” — please send or call with any serious stories, if you are willing to back them up, but also remember, we may be VERY glad to have him here this fire season. Note this morning:
“03/29/09 09:14 Big Sur, Mile Marker 14 Plasket Ridge Rd. Report of illegal campfire, USFS responded with Law Enforcement, no fire.”
I have an orphan
Four or five days ago, my feral cat had kittens in my old, non-running Rover. I thought it was a good, safe place, but for whatever reason, Mama did not, and moved the kittens. All but one. When it had been alone for six hours, with no sign of mama, I rescued it. Mocha is living in a box with me, being bottle-fed. The one and only time I tried this before, I wasn’t successful, but I did not have the special milk nor bottles then. I do now. Maybe I will succeed this time. Maybe not. maintaining the 90 degree temperature required is impossible. All I can do is keep her covered up, and hope.
Sunday Brunch at Deetjen’s
Sunday Brunch at Deetjen’s, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Wonderful day, yesterday, out and about in Big Sur. Still a chance of rain today, but it is definitely feeling as if we are shed of winter, and spring is here. Got a few shots of some of the native wildflowers that are showing their colors I will upload when I can. I love the way the light spotlights some of the flowers. Great brunch with a couple of great friends!
Doris informs me that Caroline Provost created this wonderful arrangement!
The Green of Spring
The Green of Spring, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
These historic water tanks are owned by the State Park. They sit on the El Sur Ranch, the oldest continuously operating ranch on the coast. They are across from the Coast Guard Station and the Lighthouse.
Slight chance of rain Sunday. 20%. Will keep an eye on it.
Healing Hills
The BSMAAC agenda is out. Not much on it but two new items: 1. the NOAA weather station; 2. Grants re fire planning and fuel reduction. However, given the concerns about the opening of the State Park, I would venture a bet that this will be the major topic for discussion under “non-agenda” items. The meeting will take place next Friday, the 20th at the Conference Center at the Lodge at 10:00 am.
Wednesday, I took a trip to town and Big Sur Valley to meet with friends. On the way, I marveled at the healing that was taking place — the green, the hills turned golden with a sea of poppies. While there are invasive species taking hold, I did spot this in the burn area just south of Coast Gallery. (The invasive species is the one that looks like wild cucumber.)