Upper, middle and lower Earth

We hiked for several miles Friday afternoon - across meadows, over a stream (mostly dried up now), up mountain sides until we reached this view. It's one of my favorites from a place we've named Cedar Ridge. This is our backyard looking west towards San Diego over a number of mountain ranges, sometimes more visible than at other times.


This is middle earth, knee level - what our woods look like (in places) as we followed some deer trails. There were no human trails where we hiked, but mostly we could follow animal paths. We carried a GPS too so we wouldn't get lost.



And this was our view from toe level. Lots of wildflowers still blooming this third week in June. ~N

An evening walk in the woods

Last night as the sun was setting I found some weeds.


Our oaks are finally getting their leaves. Lower elevations than our mountains at 6200 ft, have had green leaves for a month now. ~N

You Don't Look Like My Mama!!

Down Los Huecos, deep from the hollow of a dying Black Oak, 4 chicks (Stellar's Jays I believe) stared intently, but quietly, at me. They moved very little and were totally silent. We waited patiently about 20 yards away, but the parents never came to the nest. ~B

A broken bird

I raced outside this morning to check on the little bird who crashed into the window right beside my laptop while I was reading email. He was limp and totally unresponsive, I think his neck was broken. I feel bad that I just cleaned and hung our hummingbird feeder here at the cabin this week (the hummingbirds disappear from these mountains during the winter) - like inviting someone over and then they die. ~N

Evening Walk

One evening we lingered in the small mountain town of Julian to walk the back streets. As the light mellowed we came across a small, plain and empty shed for rent. The sun set; the light warmed. A few minutes early the building was only a rusty block of sheet metal. Now it took on beautiful colors and was transformed. I wondered "should I rent it? And what could I do with it?" ~B

Won Year!

We celebrated our first year owning the cabin (May 21st). For breakfast we toasted with some Bailey's Irish Creme and a chickadee who loves to perch on our glasses.


For lunch we toasted with some sparkling white wine. A Steller's Jay hopped around eyeing our fresh strawberries and cheese.

After dinner we toasted for the third time with mugs of Keoki coffee and a piece of Julian pie. ~N