Owls

I spent part of the day walking around the Napa/Sonoma Marshes, and thought I would check out this old abandoned WWII communications building. As I approached, I noticed a familiar shape in the lower right window. Do you see it?

I thought, that can't be real, it must be one of those plastic garden owls.

Then I saw it blink. It was a fledgling Great Horned Owl that had little fear of me, and apparently was expecting me to come by for lunch.

Well, he did try to threaten me a little.

Inside view - no adult in sight.

I drove over to the hay barn I had previosly seen owls in, and sure enough, there were two adult Great Horned Owls inside.

I saw other birds, of course, including this Killdeer.

Beauty, Fire, and Good Luck

Below are a few photos from the past month.

Gray Squirrel or Koala Bear? Skyline Park.

This Spotted Towhee has been pecking at his reflection on three east facing windows of my house early in the morning, and in the late afternoon, for about three weeks now. This morning it was loud enough to wake me up. I think he thinks he is defending his territory against "another" male Spotted Towhee.

California Quail, Skyline Park.

Another striped Gopher Snake, about a half mile from where I found the other one last summer. Maybe they are not so rare after all. Skyline Park.

The Jesusita Fire last week in Santa Barbara was a very close call for my mother's house. She, Nora, and Maggie the dog evacuated to a motel for five nights. I went to assist on the day they were able to move back in. The hillside behind the house was set on fire from a flying ember, but the house was miraculously saved by our wonderful firefighters from Engine Seven. They stationed themselves in the driveway for several days. There were many fires on the hillside, but only one home was destroyed in our neighborhood. About 80 homes were destroyed by the fire which covered 8,700 acres.

The fire came onto the property just above the patio.

That is Indian Rock where we played as kids just above the house.

Looking down towards the house.

This is the view from the top of our hill looking up towards 3,395 foot La Cumbre Peak. The whole mountainside is pretty much burned clean.

Mom, Maggie, and Nora counting their blessings.

Mom and I relaxing and thankful.