This morning we hiked up to the ponds above Keller Creek and spotted three Ring-necked Ducks, a male in breeding plumage, and two females. After we got home, I rode my e-bike back up with my camera and took some pictures. This is the first time we have seen these freshwater diving ducks around here. Our neighbor Catherine at The Forks Farm saw one on her little pond two days ago for the first time, also.
Today, I drove 9 miles up Beaver Creek to look at salmon that were reported to be spawning there. The creek is quite small and the last 5 miles of road was a narrow gavel affair. The salmon, which I think are Coho Salmon, were losing their red color and some were starting to get white patches as they weaken before dying. I've seen a few salmon in our river this fall, but they are in deeper holes and hard to see.
Yesterday, we threw our first annual winter solstice party. This was Gail's idea, and she worked hard for the past several weeks planning, preparing, and sending out invitations. Our friend Andrea was also a big help in promoting the event and contributing to it. I was a support person helping with set up, etc.
The focal point activity was to decorate a small fir tree in front of the fire station with bird and animal treat decorations. People brought their own natural decorations and Gail had material ready for people to make more seed decorations.
Neighbors along the full 10 mile length of the road were invited. We had around 20-24 folks participate and most stayed for the full two hours enjoying catching up on local happenings.
We had enough bird treats to hang on other little trees nearby.
Since the first of the month, just 5 days ago, it has rained 12.40" here at the house. The rain still continues to fall almost non-stop. This tropical moisture flow has kept the temperatures unseasonably warm, around 57 to 60 degrees night and day. The heaviest rain fell overnight Dec. 2-3, about 5". Below are some pictures of the river as it goes by our house. The year to date total rainfall now stands at 97.78" and it rained barely over an inch combined total for the months of May, June, July, and August.
Large numbers of Gambel's Quail were living all around our house.
This Mockingbird was a regular visitor to our prickly pear cactus.
The desert view from our house, named Hi View House. Five stars from us!
We saw this Cooper's Hawk come barreling in several mornings hoping for a quail breakfast.
We spent one day hiking cross country through one of our go to spots in Joshua Tree NP.
Gail experimenting with rubbings on the coarse granite.
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Teddybear Cholla, also called jumping cactus due to its spines seeming to jump at and into you in a most vicious manner. |
California Barrel Cactus, also called Red Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus).
Joshua Trees are a kind of yucca and are in the asparagus family. Two ravens are perched on top.
Back at Hi View House, we saw more wildlife here than in the park.
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Do you see what I see? |
One late afternoon we had a pack of four coyotes trot across our back patio.
We enjoyed the noisy Cactus Wrens around our house. They build nests that are shaped like hollow footballs, often built inside a cholla cactus plant. Their feet and legs are protected by tough scales, and they have few nerves in their feet. The male will build a second nest near the first nest as a refuge for the parents to get a a break from the noisy nestlings. This second nest will be used for another clutch of eggs after the first nestlings fledge.
Mockingbird
Desert Bluebell (Phacelia campanularia).
California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata), also called Stinking Gourd, are eaten by coyotes. They are members of the squash family and have very large roots weighing up to 225 lbs.
Branches of the Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata). Creosote is able to grow into clonal rings over 10,000 years old. It has many medicinal uses for Native Americans.
The White Velvet Ant is actually a wasp, not an ant. The one here is a female. Females don't have wings but do have a powerful stinger. The males have wings, much less "hair", but no stinger. They are camouflaged to look like creosote seeds, and hide among them on the plant.
"Our" Cooper Hawk waiting for a breakfast treat.
Town of Joshua Tree
One afternoon we hiked to Fortynine Palms Oasis. You can see a few palm trees protruding from the canyon.
Getting closer to the oasis. People are not allowed down in the palms or near any water, as these are rare and important habitats for animals such as Bighorn Sheep.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus).
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Yard art.
If the motor dies on your step-van, just pull it, pinch the frame in, and make it a trailer.
Not sure what this farm equipment was used for. It has some mean looking blades on the back.
This was one of a pair of twin homes in our neighborhood. I thought they were sore thumbs, gail thought they were modern and cool. What do you think?
Cholla skeletons and birds.
I guess there were more reptiles!
Outside of Joshua Tree is a recent work by South Africa's Daniel Popper. The installation is 30 feet high, and made from concrete, steel, and glass mosaics. It was stunning and beautiful!
Next stop was Pioneertown, where many westerns were shot back in the day.
Gail kisses an old goat, which was a familiar gesture for her.
An artist in Portland, Stephanie Brockway, who Gail has befriended, was the artist in residence in September here at the Highway Sanctuary outside of Yucca Valley. This is one of her creations.
The sanctuary is a hub for artists to connect with the community. The stress is on art made from reused materials, trash, and found objects.
Gail had a long and interesting conversation with Claire, an artist specializing in collage and embroidery. An artist known as Shrine did the mortared mosaic on the studio wall in two days, according to Claire.
Another of Stephanie's assemblages.
This is Giant Rock, claimed to be the world's largest freestanding boulder. It was more of a giant disappointment. The rock was several miles further out in the desert by way of a sandy, rutted road more suited for a camel than a car. Giant Rock is about 90 feet tall and was a sacred spot for Native Americans. Sadly, it has been abused in many ways over the years. A man dug out a cavern and lived under it for a number of years to avoid weather extremes. A cafe was built next to it and the slab foundation remains. There has been much graffiti, campfire charring, and metal climbing anchors hammered into it. It seems to be a party place and there were numerous dune buggies and motorcycles zooming around it. That big broken chunk fell off in the year 2000.
We had a wonderful week and as much as we love the rain forest, we appreciated the change of scenery. Special thanks go to Nick, who took excellent care of our pets and home while we were gone, and to our dear Carlsbad friends, Jerry and Wanda, who delighted us with breakfast and conversation the day we drove back to the San Diego Airport.
