Here are some photographs I took on Friday of the wildflowers.
Lupines at Turkey Flats
Also, a reminder that the BSMAAC meeting is this Friday at 10 am.
Storm report later …
Okay, according to NOAA, today’s storm could bring an inch or more, and showers could linger through Wednesday night, with another possible storm for Thursday and Friday.
I think the marathon started the first or second year I moved here. Not being into self-flaggellation, I have always avoided the crowds, the traffic, and the headaches. Three years ago, I could avoid it no more. My son was running.
I got exorbinately expensive rooms for he, his wife, and his dog at the finish line, and one for me too. It was the first time in all these years that I felt the excitement, and participated in the legend – from the sidelines.
My son had run several other marathons, but what surprised him (and me) is that he turned in his fastest Marathon time in the Big Sur International. It is grueling. No question. So, why did he do so well? He might tell you it was because he was home. He spent most of his teen-age years here — went to junior high and high school here. I might tell you it is because of all the encouragement the runners get along the way. Whatever the reason, he finished in just over 4 hours. (He could tell you to the second, I only know it was just barely over 4 hours.)
And this photograph I shot, will always epitomize the race for me – all the thousands of people who participate, only hoping to finish.
So, enjoy, and cheer on the runners – particularly those in the back.
Tonight, Dan sent me these incredible shots taken yesterday afternoon, and he gave me permission to share them with you. They are magnificent!
Thank you, Dan. You are so generous to share your photographs with me and my readers. Remember, if you want to see more of Dan’s work, his gallery can be seen here: Dan Danbom
Looking at another storm approaching late Monday evening through Tuesday. NOAA says: “UNSEASONABLY STRONG LATE SEASON COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE DISTRICT LATER MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING WITH PERIODS OF RAIN AND POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE DAY TUESDAY.”
This afternoon, NOAA added this: “MAIN THREAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE SMALL HAIL. SNOW LEVELS DOWN TO 3500-4000 FEET ON TUESDAY.”
And while most of you have probably seen photos of the eruption in Iceland, some of you may not, and this one is spectacular. It was sent to me by “Z” I don’t know the original photographer, unfortunately. (As my constant readers know, I really hate to post photographs without giving credit, but this is one of those rare exceptions.)
And if you would like to see more, there is a gallery of them on flickr.
Iceland Eruption Gallery
This is not a random Big Sur photo for you to identify, as it is WAY too obvious, but for those of you who have never been here, this sits outside the Big Sur River Inn gas station. Snacks and all sorts of goodies in this magic bus!
And don’t you just love that surfboard chalkboard?
Because of Storm Watch, Gideon, and other projects, I have some photographs I took over the last week or so that have accumulated, and so I thought I’d share a few with you.
This is one of the loves of my life, Gideon, an eight year-old Aussie/BC mix. He was diagnosed with heart worm. We are treating it, but it is not a good experience for either of us, and he won’t even start the shots until May.
If you have dogs, and either live in or bring them to Big Sur, make sure and get them tested and get them on heart worm preventative medications. I am so sorry I let his run out. Thankfully, Dakota is not affected.
This week, now that the rain is over, looks to be heavenly, here in paradise, with temperatures heading into the 70’s. Next weekend might bring more rain, so enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures while you can!
Some days, when I drive down the mountain to run to town, I am in a hurry. Rarely so big a hurry I don’t stop to take a photograph or dozen. Usually, they are random shots. The other day, however, I kept noticing the textures of things.
It started with this dead pine.
“Touch me with your hand, your eye, your camera. Do you feel the stories of my life?”
“I sit in a small meadow, surrounded by living things, and peaks sitting over my shoulder, but rarely is my beauty seen, or the home I provide for critters appreciated.”
And then there was the downed Oak …
Even though the Oak is dead, the lichen lives on. There is so much we miss, when we don’t pay attention.
The ferns, in and of themselves, are texture, create texture, and become the background texture of the redwood forests.
Do you think about the water that carved these images for us to view? How long have they been like this? What did they look like before? I think about the water that shapes life here. Its presence or absence shapes the landscape it dominates. And the texture of the water’s path is everywhere.
And the texture the native wildflowers add to our landscapes …
Textures of the cycles of life and death, surround us in this wilderness … if we but pay attention.
I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a Happy Easter and to share more wildflower and other photographs to remind us of the rebirthing surrounding us each wonderful spring.
Turkey Flats got its name because the wild turkeys used to roam through here. Now, vehicles do, despite the signs prohibiting same. I am saddened when I see vehicles driving, parking, doing “donuts” in this wonderful wildflower meadow, disrupting the seeding and sprouting of the wildflowers.
But the birth and rebirth of living things is a wonder to watch. Here is a baby pine tree stretching and growing with the season.
And Oaks, battered and seemingly broken by the winds, sprout new and abundant life, to make up for their missing limb.
And the abundance of recovery –
And the beautiful blue lupine to wish you and yours a very Happy Easter!
On the weather front, a gentle rain started here around 12:15 pm, but did not last long. NOAA discussion informs us: “THEREFORE EXPECT RAIN TO RAPIDLY INCREASE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS ACROSS MOST OF THE DISTRICT. RAIN WILL BECOME HEAVY FOR A TIME JUST AHEAD OF AND DURING THE FRONTAL PASSAGE WHEN WINDS WILL BE STRONGEST. BEST TIMING FOR THIS NOW LOOKS TO BE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS FOR THE NORTH BAY…EARLY EVENING BAY AREA AND MID TO LATE EVENING FOR THE MONTEREY BAY REGION.”
In my previous spotlights, I have featured places. I am working on one featuring a person and one featuring an area, but this month, I want to feature an inhabitant that was on the brink of extinction and which is now having a comeback, due to the efforts of so many, but particularly the Ventana Wildlife Society.
I have been fortunate to have had two up close and personal experiences with condors, one was actually with three condors by the side of Highway One, and one here in my garden, after a fire. That one stayed 3 days, until I called up the VWS, worried that it would get used to people and dogs, and sought ideas about how to chase it off. (I had nicknamed that one “Lucy” but she might have been “Traveler.”)
The idea for this monthly spotlight came from a great photo sent to me by Dan Danbom, who has given me permission to write this article around his photographic studies.
Facts about the California Condor
The California condor is the largest flying bird in North America. Their wings may stretch nearly 10 feet (3 meters) from tip to tip. When in flight, these huge birds glide on air currents to soar as high as a dizzying 15,000 feet (4,600 meters). They can live up to 60 years in the wild, and mate for life. They are very social animals.
Like other vultures, condors are scavengers that feast on the carcasses of large mammals, such as cattle and deer. When a big meal is available, the birds may gorge themselves so much that they must rest for several hours before flying again.
Condors were sacred birds to the Native Americans who lived in the open spaces of western America. Today, they are best known as the subjects of a famous captive breeding program that may save them from extinction. (National Geographic link)
History of the California Condor
Ten thousand years ago, California condors lived on both coasts of North America, from British Columbia to Baja California in the West, and New York to Florida in the East. By about 1900, the condor population plummeted and was limited to southern California, due to many factors including loss of habitat, a low reproductive rate, poisoning, and shooting. Today, designated refuges and captive breeding programs help protect and restore the species. (National Parks Conservation Association link)
Currently, this condor inhabits only the Grand Canyon area, Zion National Park, and western coastal mountains of California and northern Baja California. Although other fossil members are known, it is the only surviving member of the genus Gymnogyps.
Condor numbers dramatically declined in the 20th century due to poaching, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction. Eventually, a conservation plan was put in place by the United States government that led to the capture of all the remaining wild condors in 1987. These 22 birds were bred at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo. Numbers rose through captive breeding and, beginning in 1991, condors have been reintroduced into the wild. As of February 2010, there are 348 condors known to be living, including 187 in the wild. (Wikpedia, March 2010)
Two of the Condors were lost in the Basin Complex Fire of 2008, here in Big Sur, despite herculean efforts by the VWS to save the condors from the fire.
The Ventana Wildlife Society has developed a strong program for the recovery of this, the largest of North American birds, and has a site where you can learn more about the profiles and life histories of the birds living here in Big Sur. Check out: mycondor.org
To see more condor photographs by Dan, visit his Condor Gallery
**HELP FIND A MISSING CONDOR** 6:30 pm, 4/2/10 – I just got a message that Joe Burnett, a biologist for the VWS who works with and monitors the condor recovery program, is worried about a missing condor. He is the oldest male here, and has been living in Big Sur for 11 years. missing bird #204 – tag shows #4 with two white dots partner #222 – 22 with two white dots. According to my source, he (Joe) sounded pretty concerned, Joe thinks the bird may be sick and may have crawled into a shed or the area behind one, probably in area of Partington. If you spot this condor, call the VWS immediately, and let them know where he was spotted. Do NOT try to rescue the bird yourself, let the professionals handle it. And get the word out to your neighbors, if in Partington area. Thank you.
