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Reports from the South Coast

One source reports that Gamboa Point is just about done, and the paving should be complete shortly. That means one less stop light on the South Coast. We’ve had 3 for quite some time now. YAY!! Of course, in a few months, the road could fall once again – the never ending battle for the road that defies gravity.

Another source reports that tomorrow is the opening day of squirrel season. This is a much more difficult time that deer season (which I think is still going on). It is a cultural thing that I don’t get. I do know I have reported these hunters in the past, and Fish & Game caught the six guys I reported with over 200 dead critters from flickers to other birds to squirrels. Only squirrels are legal. The problem with squirrel hunters is that they shoot anything and everything and REALLY go back in the woods and have no compunction about having campfires in the middle of the forest, far away from accessible roads. So, of course, this is a bother to those who live here, but my main concern is all the small critters they shoot and get away with shooting.

Tell me, why is there a squirrel season? Don’t we have enough natural predators without bringing in hunters from San Jose? I mean, really. What am I missing here? Anyone care to explain it it me?

More Condors – Reader’s Photos & Story

In response to my Condor post yesterday, Anne Ashley, of Pfeiffer Ridge sent me some photos and the story of a time in 2008 [ed. note – actually 2000-2001] when the condors came to hang out at her place. Here they are:

5 condors by Anne Ashley

Condors on the roof and window by Anne Ashley

No. 64 by Anne Ashley

And this is what Anne had to say about the experience:

Highlights…..
It was really wonderful sitting in a window under them, not 5 ‘ away…
They “walked” on our glass roof over the bed and drove our cats CRAZY! (Cats did not come out from under bed for days!
2 condors pulling a king sized blanket and ottoman cushion (about 3’x2’x6″) out our back door raised a racket. My husband John heard them and chased them off
Our guest house (having some work done) was left open and they tore up insulation, ate large bags of chips, etc etc etc
Ventana Wilderness Society marveling and telling us to spray their bellies with water when they lit on the house as they want them to stay wild/not get too used to people (they say it doesn’t hurt them but they hate it!)
About a year later after more condors had been released we had about 10 of them circling above like a dark cloud for maybe 10 minutes…… John figures it was the elders telling the young’uns “Don’t ever go down there. those people are NUTS!”

And while I am here, Anne has a question and hopes someone can direct her to the appropriate response. She has already contacted the MCSPCA. “We have a bobcat event We have seen him/her 3 times in past 2 weeks (big sur).

Twice he came up to back dolor…. put nose to door (around dawn) and seemed to be looking for breakfast (our cats!).

This morning he got up on our (1 story roof) and terrified everyone by approaching large second story windows (clearly trying to find a way in) …….. then went downstairs to the front of the house, climbed stairs (12 ft rise worth) and ambled/stalked along front deck (25-30’ of glass doors) peering in, sort of pushing on door with his head and terrorizing us/cats

He is a beauty but beyond brazen and we’re not sure if he might be ill, who we should tell…. etc. what do you advise.

We’re on Pfeiffer ridge in big sur…….. no other houses in shouting distance.”

Illegal Campfires

It has been confirmed by the USFS that all three incidents yesterday, Saturday, were illegal campfires. Remember, NO CAMPFIRES in the Los Padres National Forests from now until further notice – probably after the first rains. We locals ARE vigilant, and will call them in. Building one is a federal misdemeanor, carrying a potential jail sentence AND up to $5,000 in fines.

Hunting Season

It’s Friday the 13th and hunting season begins this weekend. Oh, joy! Dear season runs from August 14th through September 26th. There will be an additional season from Nov. 13, through December 5 a special buck hunt specifically in the Ventana Wilderness. 

I have reports from two locals, on two different ridges that there is a serious increase in the number of illegal campfires happening right now. Not surprised.

And from today’s Monterey Herald:
“Gorda Springs Resort avoids red tags from Monterey County inspectors

Inspectors check employee housing
By LARRY PARSONS
Herald Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2010 01:32:38 AM PDT
Updated: 08/13/2010 09:02:04 AM PDT

The remote Big Sur outpost of Gorda was visited again this week by county health and building inspectors.
But the Tuesday inspection of employee housing at the Gorda Springs Resort didn’t result in red tags being issued, officials said.

Housing conditions for employees at the Gorda restaurant, lodge and service station on Highway 1 about 70 miles south of Carmel, was an issue raised in a civil suit filed by several employees, as well as earlier county inspections.” to read the rest of the article, go here: Monterey Herald Gorda Article

Dancing with Fog …

Coming up from the coast, to my roost at the top, I get to experience all the subtleties that Big Sur offers.

I start with fog above me.

And then, I get into the fog. I am always amazed at how bright the greens are in the fog.

A little while later, I see the beginnings of the sun peeking through, but fog still settled over all.

Then … I get to the demarcation line. This is a very difficult spot for a photographer, and I haven’t gotten it down, yet. This tree sits right there, where the fog ends and the sun begins. On the left, you can see the fog, on the right, is the blue sky. Today, this tree marked the “spot.”

All photos taken this afternoon (7/29/10) going up Plaskett.

Do not forget. Tomorrow is the BSMAAC meeting, starting at 10 am.

More campfires

This time, it was on South Coast Ridge Rd., which is behind me, running north-south. Thank goodness someone (probably a local) reported it or it was discovered on routine patrol! Good job, everyone!

Reported on WildCAD:

07/27/2010 12:34 LPF-2295 camp fire Wildfire SO COAST RIDGE RD

Plaskett Ridge vignettes

And now, for a change of pace. You’ve seen the perils of living in the wilds, now for a few of the benefits of living in the wilds of Big Sur.


Citizen Fire Watch, Continues

So, on the way back up the hill on a Saturday night, I found more campers. This is what I saw:

Wait a minute, that’s firewood?

Yep, that’s what it is. There is no one in the camp, so I drive on down the road, and come across an older guy, and a younger gal. The guy is nice – to begin with, but the girl? She has a serious attitude problem. I speak with them, but she’s got a real problem, so I follow them back to their camp.

She doesn’t like to be photographed.

And she ca me toward me in my Jeep with her camera.

Oh, yeah, serious ATTITUDE. Trust me, I am doing nothing, saying nothing, other than photographing her. She does NOT like that! She keeps coming …

I have stayed in my Jeep, and yet she still keeps coming …

That’s some serious ATTITUDE, lady. Then she grabs my camera, and shoves it back in my face. Damn, that’s a battery. Now, remember, I haven’t gotten out of my Jeep, and I have said nothing to her, I’ve only photographed her.

Cute gal, with a serious problem! Then her “dad” had to step into the action, again at my driver’s window.

Man, these two REALLY did not want their photos taken! But “dad” when he stepped up to my window, looked in the back of my Jeep, and said, “This is your car?” Duh, I thought, and then he said, “You live up there?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Everyone knows me.”
Then “dad” said, “We will come find you.”
Oh, really, I thought. Okay, I’ve got two normal looking crazies coming up to find me. R-i-i-i-ght. Past a locked gate, 4 guard dogs, and to back it all up, a .357 S&W? I don’t think so.

Just a normal Saturday night in wild fire land. I just normally avoid these situations.

Life & Blogging

As all my regular readers know, I post almost every day, unless I am on vacation. Sometimes, life gets in the way. That is what is going on now. I have the map of the brush work going on in our area to scan and upload tomorrow, and a reminder of the Brazil Ranch controlled burn, but the last two days I have had to deal with the hospitalization of my mother, yesterday; my step-father, two days ago; and a friend a week ago. Not to mention a few other matters – which really don’t need to be broadcast. I plan to get the USFS work update uploaded tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.

In the meantime, enjoy the clouds from last night.

Clouds, 7/20/10 by bigsurkate