Yesterday, Sunday, began rainy and gray, but we stuck to our plans for an all day hike. We headed north about an hour to the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve west of Murrieta.
After about 30 minutes of hiking, the rain stopped and the sun broke through. We didn't see a single sole for the first 3 hours - rare in Southern California! We called this hill "The Mini Benbulben".
We hiked up a little knoll for lunch, listening to the gurgling melodies of meadowlarks.
No power lines, people, bikes, dogs - aaahhhh! After this photo, we entered a ravine where we were startled by a loud chuffing noise and snapping of brush. Two deer bolted up the hill continuing to make the loud chuffing sound which we had never heard before.
Acorn Woodpecker
This California Thrasher, in the same family as Mocking Birds, was singing up a storm from the top of a bush. He mimicked various hawks, crows, and often repeated a phrase that sounded like "Look at me!"
California Thrasher
This is a very large vernal pool. Vernal pools are temporary puddles or ponds that are becoming rare due to human activity. They are important because they support rare plants and animals that need wet winters and springs, but dry summers.
There were several species of ducks on the water, including Northern Shovelers like this one.
A hiker asked us if we had seen any Chocolate Lilies, as he was looking for them. About an hour later we saw some.
Chocolate Lilies.
Gail spotted this Western Side-blotched Lizard, just beginning to grow back its tail.
Shooting Stars
Granite Spiny Lizard
California Peony
2 comments:
Awesome!
What a great day hike. Looks like things have greened up nicely with the rain. I still think California gets so pretty with a rainy winter.
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