science camp at sly park

Jan 31, 06

Sly Park - 11 a.m.
at Science Camp with Dee's school group -



Arrived yesterday morning - cold but not snow-cold - began to rain & kept up till late afternoon/evening when a little slushy show fell but not the nice powdery kind. Froze overnight so there was plenty of 'black ice' on the paved road and some good slippery spots around camp. The sky is clear and the sun breaks through occasionally - maybe in full force soon.



Been busy with camp activities, including kitchen duty for breakfast this morning - took a break while my group hit the rock wall in the gym - looking forward to a good hike this afternoon.


Out hiking with Sara
1:30 p.m.



This part of the forest, near the ranger station has been allowed to experience small cleansing fires, clearing away the undergrowth and allowing more wild flowers and other kinds of small plants to flourish.

A little farther down the path, Sara shows us an artesian well, about ten feet across, nearly a perfect circular shape. She easily finds a small frog residing there and shows him to us all, resting in her hand.



We hike five miles in total, up to the lake, full up & spilling over, and back again, the trail often following a cut in the hillside.

Jan 27, 06

Jan 27, 06

American River, east of Hazel Avenue
midmorning
gray heavy clouds that threaten to rain
cool - 50's - not too much wind, thankfully

Several fishermen out, mostly on the banks but a couple in an inflatable as well. Everyone pretty well bundled.



At first glance the river is deceptively calm but under closer observation it's easy to see the speed and power flowing between it's banks.





The bike trail is a popular place for walking, jogging & cycling, even on a cold gray day like this. I find myself amazed at how many people are here on a weekday morning.



A tiny gray bird in a naked gray bush chatters & chides me for stopping and looking at the nearest tree. It has a tiny set of black and white stripes on it's crown and is shaped very roundly, maybe partly because it's feathers are puffed up against the cold. When it sees it won't be chasing me off any time soon, it moves along, chattering and chiding someone else.



A young fisherman fords across some shallow rapids between an island and this south bank. I turn my back to make a photo, hear some splashing and turn to look again. He is lifting himself out of chest-deep water just near the bank - then later straps on a life vest on higher ground.



Debris in a tree shows the high-water mark while the young fisherman and (likely) his father get set to push their boat off the island.



The sun breaks through for just a couple moments - lighting up a path into the bare trees - I can't quite tell what they are but leaf buds are beginning to show promise at the tips of their branches and some scrub oaks I recognize by their bark and shape - of course when I raise up my camera the sun fades as if to tease me -



Birds are as common as the fishermen - a turkey vulture circles oeverhead, several white egrets stake out their claim at water's edge. A couple song birds begin to call our as the sun alternately breaks through and fades away - I manage to get a minute or two with my back in the sun but more often it seems to let go shafts of light somewhere I'm not.

sutter's fort

Jan 17, 06
Sutter's Fort, Sacramento
morning, 10ish
very cool, maybe 50's - light but chilly breeze
high scattered clouds, with a weak sunshine breaking through intermittently
fountains drown out some of the traffic noise
a few little birds chirp here & there





This old house is now the State Indian Museum - the light meter in my head screws up and I do it again before checking, trying to catch changing light, failing to focus properly.


Reminding me of a Rush song - the trees in the forest, fighting for light, line drawn between species.


1839-1850 Sutter's Fort

The fort is now about 150 years old - this tree could be as old - perhaps took root not long after the fort was built...

sunny & clear

Jan 10, 06 - a.m., sunny & clear
Along American River near Watt Ave

Parking flooded but bike trail mostly clear after heavy New Years' rains. Can tell the water has been much higher as the mud is very deep.



Plenty of birds out on this bright morning - even saw a magpie, who chattered at me from a tree top for a while before flying away. Also saw a couple flickers fly by and I can hear a whole un-ending chorus of songbirds hiding in the brush.

Farther down the trail I spot a couple red-headed woodpeckers in a dead tree, then some black birds flitting about in another bare tree. The lack of leaves makes bird watching much easier than usual.



The river flows fast and strong - its power is easy to see as I stand in awe and watch.



Another red-headed woodpecker taps away at an oak gall in the arching branches of this tree.



Mistletoe - a sign of hope and life to ancient people - in the tops of cottonwoods.



Watt Ave bridge & parking





Where we usually like to hang out & the painters paint - most of the year high & dry



West of the bridge, the bike trail is still flooded - I take the path along the levee, which keeps so many safe & dry.

chickens everywhere

Jan 5, 2006
morning
out w/plein air artists
Fair Oaks Village park & surrounds
chickens and rooster all over



Don & I are both attracted to this little house, he even moved a garbage can for me - he could just paint it out. Chickens come and go - roosters crow at each other across the town square - people come and go for coffee - a dog barks while waiting for his owner.


Fair Oaks' now signature chickens are just too appealing to pass by - the first big guy was very obliging for a few crumbs but the second smaller rooster was just to jumpy to quite catch well - then they all seem to disappear. I sit and wait to see who else might show up.


A couple palm trees stand in one corner of the park - an ineresting contrast to the deciduous trees around them -




After much coaxing and persistence, a better rooster for the second shot - And finally a great image to form a pair with the first image - the same rooster returned & again proved a good model.