A Mountain of Snow

A mountain full of snow is what we received for Thanksgiving. What a beautiful sight!

Over a foot and a half fell within 2 days. Since moving here, we haven't experienced this much snow at once. It was a perfect time to play outdoors but a terrible time to cook a Thanksgiving dinner since the town lost power. No problem for us since we ate early.

Our "tree monkey" lost one of his tree travel routes when a huge oak limb collapsed under the weight of the snow. The western grey squirrels have such useful, fluffy tails. When it's raining or snowing, they just flick it over their heads like an umbrella or cozy blanket.

Oregon Junco

Oak Titmouse

These are a few of the birds hanging out pretty close to our backyard feeders.

Here is beautiful Lake Hemet a few days after the snow fell.

Despite the fact that Garner Valley doesn't get much snow usually, the cattle seemed to be adapting without any trouble.

You would almost think it was Spring hearing the Western Meadowlarks singing from posts near the cattle.

After a week of rain, most of the snow has melted. We will always remember the memorable Thanksgiving snowstorm!

Photos and content by Robin Roberts

Click on photos to enlarge.

Welcome to the Desert - Scorpions, Birds, and Bananas

Camping in the desert! What a grand experience! The night skies are full of stars, the air is quiet except for the owls and coyotes and the mornings are magnificent. Plus, the days are filled with a chance to see the endangered, magnificent peninsular bighorn sheep.

One of my very favorite birds to find in the desert is the Cactus Wren, Camylorhychus brunneicapillus. During the breeding season, its unique voice fills the desert. This time of year it is a little harder to find but I found one in a fine spiny cactus.

Ocotillo

Costa's Hummingbird, Calypte costae

This time of year, the blooming flowers are few so the resident hummingbirds keep a sharp eye on any intruders to their "patch".

Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus

These mighty "butcher birds" have quite a reputation with impaling their prey on sharp places like cactus spines. I have yet to find their prey in this precarious position but one day, I might encounter it.

When night falls, it's time to pull out the blue lights to find the glowing scorpions. We found some as small as my baby fingernail but this one was over 2 inches long. Quite impressive!

Anza Borrego desert is close to the shrinking Salton Sea. It traditionally has been an important stop on the Pacific Flyway for migrating and wintering birds but it is currently challenged by increasing salinity and dropping water levels due to diversion. I fell in love with this place when we moved here but I discovered that locals have mixed opinions of this important place due to misinformation. Finding ways to mitigate its decline are a top priority that should continue despite the challenges.

On my way to the sea, I found that an Osprey had replaced the Great Blue Heron that perched on this sign last time I was here.

Burrowing Owls, Athena cunicularia

What a rewarding sight! Finding burrowing owls surviving due to interventions is a reassuring sign.

Here is a view of the beautiful Salton Sea that is shrinking day by day. I am not alone in hoping that this special desert sea will not disappear completely. When I wake up in the morning at the fire lookout tower on Tahquitz Peak in the San Jacinto Wilderness, I start my day scanning the horizon for this body of water that has provided life for thousands of birds during the winter.

The desert is known for being a quirky place. Next to the Salton Sea is quite a unique museum...the International Banana Museum. This was my first visit.

For a one dollar contribution, you can explore this record collection of banana regalia in one spot. Why the desert? I have no idea! But who cares, it brings a smile to your face, guaranteed! Enjoy!

For more information about the bighorn sheep, check out this video by Mark Jorgensen who has dedicated his life to protecting them. He also published a beautiful, informative book about them called Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Jorgensen, M. [Anza Borrego Explained "We tell you where to go."]. (2019, August 31). The Importance of the Endangered Species Act [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-xBnxQav24&feature=youtu.be

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.

Backyard Oasis

Lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

Never underestimate the importance of a backyard oasis for wildlife!

Every day, a dozen or more of these beauties start their morning drinking from our backyard dripper. Since they are granivores, they only get about 10% of their water from their diet. Extra water is vital!

Yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia)

The warblers get a lot of water from the insects that they devour but even they appreciate extra water at times. Supplemental water is really important for wildlife especially if you live in spots like we do where there is very little water or high temperatures.

Imagine being able to sit with your food surrounding you on all sides! This chipmunk truly was savoring the berries from the manzanita bush.

Most gardeners consider this little guy a pest but they sure are cute! This pocket gopher surprised me one morning by clearing out his underground tunnels. When he/she finished, the big hole in the ground was filled up with dirt so no one would know where the entrance to his/her home was located. Pretty clever! BTW, if you live with gophers, protect your new plants with gopher cages to prevent them from becoming a feast to this hungry critter. Trust me, it works! 

Planting a native garden and providing water will help turn your backyard into a wildlife oasis!

Photos and content by Robin Roberts

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Island of Gotland - Part 3

The one way to make a vacation last longer is to prolong your blog which I certainly have done. This video gives you an idea of the southern coast of Gotland, an island with a rich history off the coast of the mainland.

 Churches from the 11th and 12th century can be found across the island.

Viking runes and burial sites with even older bronze and iron age gravesites also dot the island.

Visby, the largest town on the island, is surrounded by a medieval wall.

Cobblestone streets with historic homes, church ruins and some pretty interesting restaurants and shops fill up this town. If you arrive by a cruise ship, be sure to give the locals some business! If you don't know about the tradition of having "fika" every day with your favorite "bulla", now is the time to learn!

This friendly looking chap has a prominent spot in the botanical garden. You may not recognize this Swedish botanist and zoologist but you certainly know his name for his famous contribution to science with binomial nomenclature....Last name begins with L if you need some help.

We didn't spend much time in Visby rather we wanted to explore the countryside and nearby islands. Windmills, thatched-roof buildings and sheep were a common sight.

Traditionally, farmers also had fishing huts along the coast. A few of these villages still exist.

A problem traveling with me is that I always want to stop to take a photo. How many hedgehog crossing signs have you ever seen? Of course, I wanted to stop! Unfortunately, I never got to see any of these cute critters in person.

Exactly one month ago today, we visited one of the world's oldest nature preserves, Stora Karlso.

Thanks to this protected status, thousands of seabirds find sanctuary nesting along the cliffs. The most abundant, the common guillemots, had already nested and returned to sea before we arrived.

This will be our next volunteer "lookout" job. Instead of being on the mountain top, we can overlook the sea.

Farewell from this unique island.

Next time you come to visit, remind us to show you how to play Kubb but it will have to be after "fica".

Click on photos to enlarge. Photos and content by Robin Roberts.