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.