Natural beauty
of Northern California –
the place I call “home.”
This post is really about the pictures. Before I moved, my east coast friends would ask me where I was going, and I would tell them Redding, California. They replied with a blank look. Then I would say “it’s in Northern California,” and the immediate response was: “Oh, it’s beautiful!” They spoke the truth.
I have included the dates because this is also a celebration of California weather.
What a weekend! Let me first squeeze it into a haiku:
Drive, tunes, ocean pools,
Bourbon, Elvis, hoops, stars, hearts,
Redwoods, ferns, beach, sun!
And now I can unpack it and add pictures:
Drive and tunes: gorgeous drive to the coast with a solid playlist courtesy of David D. We made a delightful stop at the Straw House Cafe, I highly recommend it if you are ever driving 299 to the coast.
Ocean pools: our first stop on the coast was Patrick’s Point State Park. We strolled through a forest of giant sitka spruce before descending to the rocky tide pools.
All the valentine searching left us famished. Our hunt for food ended in the best veggie burger I have ever had; it was so good, I took a picture:
Bourbon, Elvis, hoops, stars, hearts: our evening activity was going to have it all!
Please note, it was actually Psychedelvis – but that was too many syllables for my haiku.
I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Here are some pictures to prove it:
I do not have a picture of the hoops, but among the circus performers were some serious hula-hoopers.
The stars reference was also not photo-documented, so you will have to trust me on it. We went to the beach after the show, laid on the sand, and experienced the awe. I even saw a shooting star!
Redwoods: you can probably guess this one; here are the tree pictures:
Ferns: after the super trees, we went to see Fern Canyon. As its name implies, it is a canyon full of ferns. It is also famously known for being one of the Jurassic Park filming locations.
Beach and sun: out of the canyon and into the sunlight. I am told that we had atypical north coast weather, and though I am concerned for the redwoods, which depend on the cool, moist air, I thoroughly enjoyed the sun on my face.
Oh, and we also saw elk, on the beach!
I will close by restating my initial question:
California, will you be my valentine?
I am going to take that as a “yes.”
Anna’s hummingbird
Up, up, up! Arcing fall — SQUEAK!
Courtship ritual.
On Wednesday, February 11, I was assisting BLM geologists in the field when I witnessed a marvelous behavior: the male Anna’s hummingbird courtship display. The tiny bird, less than four inches in size, would hover over a burned manzanita bush then quickly ascend into the air, rising at least 50 feet, and possibly quite more according to bird guides. When he reached altitude, he would pause, then dive in a dramatic, arcing fashion. The speed was tremendous for something so small. At the very bottom of his arc, he would emit a loud ‘squeak!’ which I learned is made by his tail feathers – I still do not understand the mechanics of the sound. Then he would return to hover above the shrub before repeating the cycle. This was one of those wonderful moments when I realize how little I know and see everyday in the world around me, and it was awesome to witness just this one special action.
On a similar note, on Tuesday, February 10, I was hiking for work in the Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area when I heard an echo of history: sandhill cranes trumpeting to each other as they flew overhead. Even from a great distance, these are magnificent birds, and I wish every visit to the Bend could be accompanied by their bugling call.
For more information about Anna’s Hummingbird or the Sandhill Crane, visit the embedded links or search for The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Have a happy Friday the Thirteenth, Valentine’s Day (may your courtship dances be seen and your bugles be heard!), and weekend!
