From Sweden to Tanzania - Part 1

 Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate our blessings. We asked our friends and family to share some photos that celebrate the gifts found in nature. We begin overseas.

 Sweden is an absolutely beautiful country. Our friend, Per, shared some of his photos with us for this celebration of Nature blog.

Swedish Hut in Countryside

 

Swedish Great Spotted Woodpecker

 Swedish Peacock Butterfly

These  beautiful photos were taken by Jan Carl while visiting the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain. It is a popular place for Swedes and others who discover this sunny, warm destination.

The following photos are from my young, talented friend, Luke who was fortunate to take a trip to Tanzania this summer with his Dad. These are just a few of the amazing photos he shared with me from his incredible trip!

Lilac Roller

Hartlaub's Turaco

Crowned Cranes

  

Definitely not an average day when a teen elephant crosses the road!

Sunset in the Serengeti. Thanks Luke!

Hiking in the Mountain Wilderness

Views from the mountain trails continue to inspire no matter how many times they are hiked partly because there is always something new to discover.

 Familiar landmarks like Tahquitz Rock look completely different from new angles.

One day this week, the marine layer was extremely thick and extensive. Lake Hemet and Garner Valley disappeared under the blanket completely.

The far reaching views from Tahquitz Peak were replaced with a tumultuous sea of clouds and mountain islands.

 A recent change to the forest in the last couple of weeks has been the arrival of hundreds of Band-tailed Pigeons. Our resident pigeons have been temporarily joined by their relatives from the northwest. Their presence cannot be missed. Even if you don't see them fly overhead, you will hear the sound of their wings and bodies zooming past at top speed.

 The most exciting discovery for me this week has been the sighting of four Lewis's Woodpeckers. It is highly unusual for them to be in our mountains. I couldn't take my eyes off of these beautiful rose-colored birds eating insects and storing acorns.

 The other changes in the wilderness are like changes in forests across the country. Pine cones and acorns are covering the trails and the leaves are changing colors before their final drop to the ground. 

"Nature never disappoints...there is always something new to learn."

~Lisa Hurt

Hiking in a Desert Canyon

Hiking in a desert canyon is a unique experience.

At first glance, all you see are boulders, sand and perhaps, some colorful blooming cactus or other desert plants.

If you are looking for wildlife, however, it takes a lot of patience and good fortune for being at the right spot at the right time.

Our goal on this hike was to see some lizards that live in the desert. With a lot of searching, we were able to see a couple of neat looking lizards. Although the Side-blotched lizard is the most common lizard in the desert, I think he is pretty special with his bluish spots.

We discovered the Zebra-tailed Lizard when it zoomed by us on its back legs at top speed. We didn't realize it was a lizard at first because it appeared to be flying like an insect. It paused long enough for a quick photo.

The Banded Rock Lizard is a master at camouflage as you can see from this photo. We were able to spot him by slight movement as he ventured about on his steep rocks.

 To see Bighorn Sheep on a ridge and then watch them descend from their outcropping is truly spectacular!

We felt quite blessed to see not just one but four of these magnificent animals come off the mountain to eat and drink while we quietly sat on a boulder and watched in awe.

Our encounter with them was brief but our memories will last for a long time. They returned to the ridge after meeting their immediate needs.

 In every walk in Nature one receives far more than he seeks.
- John Muir

Birding After the Rain

 

 The weekend was full of grey clouds and rain. The prediction included snow but it wasn't quite cold enough for snowflakes. We were quite happy at least to get rain! We have too many days of perfect blue skies.

We started our first fire of the season in our wood burning stove this weekend. Fall has officially started for us.

After the rain, I went back back to birding. 

Usually, when I see a Red-tailed hawk, it is soaring high in the sky. Sometimes, I get a longer view if it perches on a tall tree or pole.

The other day, I not only saw it perch but I watched it devour a critter. After finishing his meal, he called out his distinct sound which is heard in classic cowboy movies. What a moment!

 The lighting was perfect to show off the vibrant blue feathers of the Western Bluebird. I had hoped for a full view but it hopped off under the bush without showing his face.

 I didn't realize that the Great Basin Sage was a yummy food source until I saw 8 Lesser Finches and numerous White-crowned Sparrows gorging themselves in front of me. This sparrow landed above my head and sang a beautiful song which surprised me since he was far away from his breeding ground and it wasn't Spring, it is Fall.

Fall is a great time to see birds that pass through Lake Hemet on their way to places like the Salton Sea. The Snow Geese, Great Egret and Pied-billed Grebe recently showed up at the lake.

 I overlook the Oregon Junco probably because I see them so frequently. On this day, I was captivated by how the Junco's colors coordinated with the California Buckwheat perfectly.

Lastly, the chipmunks have been quite busy transporting seed in their bulging cheeks to their hideaways. I smiled when I saw this one sitting on our colorful mushrooms. I will miss these little guys when winter comes and they are hidden away underground.