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!
