Hiking Treasures

Whenever I go for a hike, I'm appreciative of the life and views around me. Sometimes though, I get an extraordinary surprise which I now call a hiking treasure.

Bobcats try to keep hidden from humans. They have an uncanny ability to know they are being watched even when you are motionless and faraway. Important for survival, I'm sure! A few days ago, I came upon this beautiful bobcat on a new hike.

He didn't spend too much time letting me admire him once he saw me. This is usually the view I get when I spot one of these secretive creatures.

 Mule Deer, on the other hand, spend a little more time standing motionless once they are spotted.

Manzanita or "little apples" is a common hardy shrub in chaparral country. Until this year, I didn't know that it attracted hummingbirds when it is blooming. Someone close to me described these blooms as upside down hummingbird wine goblets. Perfect!

I was excited to get this photo of an extremely fast female Rufous Hummingbird that was buzzing through the Manzanita blooms.It paused just long enough for me to "capture" it. This hiking treasure is only here for a short time since its destination is Washington state or Canada.

If you have been following my blog lately, you may remember that Anza-Borrego Desert has had an influx of White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillars this Spring contributing to the huge number of Swainson's Hawks taking respite on their migration northward.

While eating lunch outside the other day, I saw something flying over the flowers that seemed most unusual. It hovered over the flowers like a hummingbird drinking with a super long proboscis that looked like a beak... It turns out this is a mature White-lined Sphinx Moth. Quite beautiful!

There's one elusive mammal that lives here that most people have never seen. We see its tracks occasionally in the sand or snow so we know it lives here. It is the ultimate master at staying hidden from humans...The Mountain Lion...This photo was taken from my trip to the zoo :) I don't plan on seeing one in the wild. Enjoy your hiking treasures!

Mountains in Early Spring

Symbols of Spring have been growing over the last 2 weeks.

For me, the daily return of the Mountain Quail is a sure sign that Spring is here. These birds are highly elusive as they go up and down the mountain slopes and they have been missing from our yard for months. Not anymore! The male announces their early morning arrival with a call that carries through the forest.

Spring migration is full of surprises. Recently, I saw a Common Loon, a rare visitor to Lake Hemet, on a "rest" day before he continued his journey northward for the summer.

Being at the right place at the right time makes it possible to get a glimpse of birds that are passing through and/or that spend most of their time hiding in open grasslands like the Lark Sparrow, Horned Lark and Western Meadowlark.

For most people, lizards aren't a symbol of spring but since we live in  lizard country, it is for me. With the recent warm, sunny days, colorful lizards like this Western Fence lizard have been showing their impressive colors during their pushup display. I discovered that a pair of Alligator lizards are living under our wood pile and mating was on their agenda.

 Blooming flowers and butterflies are iconic symbols of Spring. You need to look at details when naming a bird or butterfly. This Anise Swallowtail on the Lilac looks almost identical to the Western Tiger Swallowtail.

The last couple of weeks, I've seen lots of different birds like these House Finches carrying nesting material to their new homes.

Spring migration is exciting because each day you have the chance to see a new, brightly colored bird either on its way to its breeding ground or to set up a summer home nearby. Today, I saw my first Bulloch's Oriole of the season for a moment before it disappeared into the sage.

Along with the oriole, the king of birds has returned! Six Western Kingbirds arrived for the summer exactly one year to the day as last years' arrival! Although one last snowy blast is predicted for tonight up here in the mountains, Spring is here!