Daily Walks

Judging from this photo, he worked a little harder than he needed to. He'll learn best by doing.
As long as it works.

I've told the kids not to cross the creek when it looks like this, or any street either. Not even in my jeep. Was pretty full for a while there.

The kids built this row of rocks across the creek, when they were just little tykes.

Looking upstream towards the farm pond spillway.

Foam?

I don't know if he used the telephoto here, but it's a closer view of the foam.

The water crossing the spillway from the farm pond.

YS is wearing his new leather coat! What is he thinking? I guess he is playing with the foam, so he isn't thinking. He's playing.
I have to say it was good to get them outside and away from the computers, for a while.

The creek flowing over the rocks.

Muddy water flowing over the rocks, close up. I sure hope he was using the telephoto!

Wow, he got this one from the top of the spillway! I wouldn't have climbed up there. Ah, to be young and nimble! LOL!

Part of the farm pond. When it rains enough it cuts off a spit of land and turns it into an island. The migrating ducks really like that. : - )

If you look really close you'll see the framework of a chair I forgot to bring in sitting on top of the spit island. You can also see how the water is starting to encircle the spit island in the lower portion of the photo.

The creek side of the spit island.

Further upsteam.

Water from a small brook feeding into the creek.

The boys are approaching the first bridge that crosses the creek. Right across the creek is the native walnut, and a whole lot of Christmas trees.

Here they are crossing the bridge. Grandmother Oak is behind that bunch of stuff bundled up in the blue tarps, on your left in the photo.

Up in the picnic area, another rock riffle.

They are standing at the base of the Root Oak, looking at the big rock which someone painted the words, Quail Rock on it a long time ago, so we still call it Quail Rock. Most of the paint is gone now.

Looking downstream from the Root Oak.

Wow! The rain took out a bunch of brush that was growing in the creek here.

Small Ox bow in the creek.

Almost to the second and oldest bridge.

Water flowing under the troll bridge (#2).

A bird perched on a tree.

A different bird perched on a different branch on the same tree.

See? They must know it's getting ready to rain again.

How do I describe this. Hmm. It's part of an oxbow, it's right behind the little store we work out of during Christmas. The branch you see came from the skag above which is home to a woodpecker or two. Sadly I see more trash washing down stream. Sigh . . .

This is where you can walk or even drive onto the oxbow. I used to have the Tipi Village set up around the high ground on the oxbow.

The water must have been really high to reach the "bench" line which was created by past rainstorms.
To the right but with only the overhanging branches really visible, is Grandfather Oak.
In a few weeks I'll be out here collecting Indian (also known as Irish Bells, and Miner's Lettuce) Lettuce. It's my spring time pick me up.
It got the name Minor's lettuce because it was one of the first native greens to come up in the spring time. I've been told that it has Vitamin C in it, and would help prevent scurvy among the 49'ers.
You can mix in your salads and eat it raw, like I do. I never was very fond of cooked greens, too slimy I guess.

There is Grandfather Oak! : - )

Kids turned around and started home. This is a better view of the Root Oak.
Also a good place to end for today.
ES and YS were really nice to take the photos for me so I didn't have to walk it. I was hurting pretty bad yesterday afternoon and evening. It doesn't rain that often so when it does we all go gaga. In a few days we'll be looking for Mushrooms and toadstools, and if we are lucky we'll find a fairy ring.
You know if ES cared, he could be a pretty good photographer.
Don't forget you can share your comments and photos too.
I know you've all got some really good ones on file.
Hope you've enjoyed the walk so far, and there will always be more tomorrow.
WIB,
SW

Thank you SW, really enjoyed the walk. What is it with boys and water and rocks? I remember mine trying to dam a creek at their grandparents house. They actually did a good job, had enough water to mess around in. You've got quite a creek there, the water is running strong. Loved the photos with it running over the rocks. My pond behind the house has filled in nicely. We've had our usual Heron who comes in winter and this year some Mallards and Canada Geese. Hubby had surgery a couple of weeks ago and then I came down with a bad cold, so I haven't taken pictures. Woke up coughing this morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so took your walk instead. BTW.....my frogs are singing too!

Stay in bed and enjoy the walks, Sally. I'll be heading out again later on to get photos.
Bless my son's heart. He knew I wanted to see the creek flowing but was too tired to go myself. Living vicariously isn't all bad.
I wasn't able to take much of a walk yesterday, was working on flooding control. Sigh.
But I did get this photo, and one more to share for now.

Here is the other one.
WIB,
SW

Jules your place is beuatiful!! I love your rocks!!!

Marie, thank Mother Nature. All I've done is gotten rid of the Nubian goats, and tried to leave it as it is, with the exception of re-introducing native plants to the farm.
A long time ago, DH and I decided not to develop the farm and plant houses. We still have to pay the property taxes, though. So I did a lot of research at the library and we decided to grow Monterrey Pines for the Choose and Cut Christmas Tree market, and leave the rest as it was. The Creek and orchard being the dividing line.
I know we are blessed to live on the same land DH's family has been on for the last 100 years, even more blessed that they didn't do much damage.
Although, I do wish they'd taken their trash to the dump once in a while. We still find old rusty cans, bits of broken glass, and the other day I found an old marble. LOL! All kinds of treasures. We've also taken out numerous roll off bins full of old trash. A couple of bins a year right now, not to mention the dumpster that is in constant use.
Hopefully in the days to come, you will be able to see the seasonal changes and the things that make this such a beautiful place to me.
Still looking for my wellies. But even if I don't find them, my old hiking boots will work. I'll be going out to survey any damage from last night's rain storm, and to take photos.
More to come!
Thanks Marie, for your kind words. You'll get to see it yourself at the RU.
WIB,
SW

I cannot wait to see it for myself. You are blessed to be ont he land that you live on. Hard to find anyone who still lives on family land. Most of it get sold for new developement.

SW, I am going to have to come see you place! Especially since now that you guys have had all of this rain, your area is going to be in bloom like it hasn't in probably many years! Great job on this new thread!