A Splash of Color

Fall has officially arrived on the calendar and by the return of chilly nights, sleeping under comforters, drinking hot chocolate and chopping wood for the upcoming fires in the wood burning stoves that keep us warm.

This is the season of transition. The greens and browns of the pine, oak and cedar will remain but the reds, blues, oranges and yellows will disappear. With that thought in mind, I've been "capturing" splashes of color.

 When the wind gusts, it's quite difficult for butterflies to flutter from flower to flower. I was able to "capture" this Swallowtail since it was clinging to the Goldenrod to avoid being carried away by the wind to an unknown destination.

The tiny Melissa Blue is easy to miss because of its size but once you catch a glimpse of it, you want it to land and spread its blue wings much longer than it does so you can appreciate its beauty.

On a local hike, I saw a large group of Painted Lady butterflies mixed with honeybees enjoying the remaining blooms of the Rabbitbrush.

The Southern Mountain California Fuchsia, a hummingbird favorite, is one of the few red wildflowers still in bloom.

In my search for splashes of color, I was reminded of an orchid that I photographed last year. When light and color come together, it can be spectacular and pretty special when you are present at just the right moment.

Elusive Desert Lizards

When driving by the sand dunes of the desert or the rocky escarpments that form a border between the sandy washes and the mountains, it's easy to be deceived into thinking that this barren land is devoid of life. In fact, these places are full of amazing critters that have adapted to the harsh habitat. However, most are hidden from sight. Recently, I was able to view some incredible lizards with amazing survival techniques.

The beautiful Banded Rock Lizard lives on boulders in canyons. This lizard like most, begins the morning soaking up the sun's heat. Colors brighten as the lizard warms up. Since it holds its limbs out to the side and its body close to the rock, it can run up and down and upside down without any difficulty. It will hide in rock crevices when needed.

The Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard lives exclusively in sand dunes in the Coachella Valley. Unfortunately, the majority of its habitat has been destroyed by development over the years. The remaining protected areas are critical to its survival.

 When we found this endangered lizard, a trained herpetologist who has permission to hold these lizards, showed us this its special features.

The "fringes" on its back toes enable it to "swim" under the sand instantly to escape predators or to retreat from the intense afternoon heat.

The Flat-tailed Horned Lizard uses its ability to blend in to the land it inhabits rather than speed. His diet is almost exclusively comprised of ants. Like the Fringe-toed Lizard, he will disappear into the loose sand when threatened. Painful, spiky horns around its neck offer some protection as well.

 Speed is essential to the Zebra-tailed Lizard. Most lizards are pretty fast but this one tops them all. When it is escaping danger, it curls its black and white striped tail over its body, raises on its back legs and races up to 18 mph. By this photo, you can see how easily it is to miss lizards that surround you.

 The Desert Spiny Lizard is a larger lizard covered in keeled (spiny) scales looking majestic whereever he perches. We found him hidden in the shade of a palm tree when we were out looking for lizards.

Next time you pass through the desert, remember it is full of unique creatures that have adapted to survive in this incredible place and they deserve to be protected.

Flocking to Watering Holes

 Lake Hemet, the largest watering hole nearby, must look quite inviting to birds as they are flying overhead. For this reason, it is a great place to go birding to see resident birds as well as those who stay a short while during migration.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we observed the newly arrived Osprey.

He clutched his freshly caught fish for the longest time under his talons. I guess he was waiting for the right moment to eat it but I kept thinking of the other fish eaters who would be happy to claim it if it slipped from his grasp.

On the same day, the Mallards were quite successful with fishing as well.

 

The Great Blue Heron has incredible patience and stealth when it comes to fishing. I expect to see him at the water's edge but sometimes he startles me by his huge presence in a tree. Today we watched one slowing stalking a prey which we could not see along the dirt path.

 Perhaps he was trying to catch one of these ubiquitous squirrels that live in underground burrows.

Today we saw one of the adult Bald Eagles that live here year round. It was perched high on a dead snag across the lake. Too faraway for a clear photo...one day, I hope to get one!

 

   Besides the Western Bluebirds that live here year round, we have seen a few migrating birds lately in the Willow trees including Wilson's Warbler, Warbling Vireo and the endangered Willow Flycatcher.

 Birds are quite clever at finding water. This Mountain Chickadee flew up and down to this dripping faucet  to catch falling drops.Looked like a lot of work to me!

 At a nearby park, we spotted this Acorn Woodpecker drinking from a fountain.

 This little watering hole was quite busy today. Every morning just as the sun is filling the sky, the Anna's Hummingbird starts the day with a bath.

 

 

Different species of birds started to line up on the nearby branch waiting for a turn to drink and splash.

Having a "watering hole" in your backyard can be a lifesaver and it isn't much work. Birds are attracted to moving water which is also less likely to attract mosquitoes.Besides helping out your local birds, those birds traveling hundreds to thousands of miles will appreciate a drink!

From Drops to Waterfalls

For weeks and weeks, the beautiful blue skies with occasional puffy white clouds have dominated the skies. This "perfect" weather is fantastic for hikes, outdoor weddings and parties but not for trees, plants and wildlife that depend on the rain.

 

 

I've been watching birds, squirrels and chipmunks drink from dwindling water sources. A water fountain provides some relief during periods of drought.

Yesterday, I saw a small pool of water in a nearby desert canyon that supports all kinds of desert wildlife including the endangered Peninsular Bighorn sheep. With good fortune, we saw a few of them high above on a distant ridge.

With news that the distant Typhoon Norbert might bring rain on the mountain and nearby desert, we became hopeful for a break from the "perfect" weather pattern.

 

 Today was the day. I stood at a lookout to see the approaching storm.

 While I was watching, I startled a Turkey Vulture who was perched behind the large boulder overlooking the valley below. Perhaps, he sensed the change in weather as well since he wasn't doing his normal soaring through the sky.

 The gentle rain that brought out the mixture of scents including the vanilla/butterscotch of the Jeffrey Pine tree and the Incense Cedar was replaced quickly with a heavy rain that created a fast flowing creek and waterfall next to our house.

 Other rivulets of fast flowing water appeared through the forest.

 Almost as quickly as they appeared, the rain ended and the flowing waterfalls disappeared. Blue skies have returned. Mud, sticks, pinecones and puddles are reminders of the brief storm. Hopefully, survival in the wild is a bit easier with the arrival of water.

Hiking South Ridge Trail

  Summer is shifting into Autumn. Hiking along a familiar trail through the seasons keeps you connected to the changes.

One of my favorite trails, South Ridge, is a 4 mile hike up to Tahquitz Peak where the Fire Lookout tower stands overlooking Idyllwild.

 Memorable geographical landmarks along the way are a constant. The first is "window rock". The precariously balanced boulders embody its name. This was my destination when I first acclimatized to hiking in Idyllwild.

 Further up the trail, the inspiring views from the overlook are always worth pausing to appreciate.

According to my count, the final stretch to the peak involves 15 switchbacks some of which seem endless. Focusing on the astounding scenery instead of my exhausted body motivates me to the peak every time. Chocolate and icy cold water help, too!

 On a recent hike, I realized the shifting of seasons had begun. It is subtle but recognizable by the new plants and flowers that grow alongside the trail as well as by the absence of the familiar colorful birds of summer.

 The colors on the ground are changing as well. Indian Paintbrush, Lupine, Scarlet Bugler, and many others are being replaced.

 Rabbitbrush and the spiky covered nuts of the Chinquapin now line the trail.

 The Sugar Pine cones are dripping with a sugary sap. It must taste good to the hummingbirds. I saw one hovering from one cone to another at the top of the trail.

 The insect eating Violet-green Swallows that regularly swooped around resting hikers at the peak are no longer entertaining us with their high speed flights. Migration has begun. Time to search the trees for the birds that are on their journey south.

Summer is shifting into Autumn. Enjoy the changes.