Author Archive

Ok, here I am at Sarge’s Cache Creek ranch and the thistles are just out of control. They’re dry, thorny, and some are like seven foot tall. We didn’t mow or spray them earlier when they were green because the Wild Turkeys were thought to be nesting in the area. But now it’s payback time: this is a lot of work! I hope that it was productive for the turkeys.

"Harvesting" the Bull Thistles!

I saw a California King Snake the other day;  it was the first one that I’ve seen around here for quite some time.  Unfortunately it was flat as a pancake:  a roadkill specimen!  So, sparing you that image, this is what he would have looked like.  Thanks to californiaherps.com for this photo of a really beautiful serpent.

Hummingbird approaching Indian Tobacco flower

  The Indian Tobacco plant  ( Nicotiana glauca ) is a member of the potato family.  It grows profusely here along the banks of Cache Creek in the central valley of California.  It is believed to have been used for smoking by the Native Americans  in this area.  Here is a hummingbird ( I think it is an Anna’s ) about to imbibe the nectar of the wild tobacco flower.

A young Gray Fox on the hunt

This little Gray Fox appeared to be hunting  Ground Squirrels, which  are plentiful in this area.  The squirrels were well aware of him and making a lot of warning noises.  The fox, frustrated, was pretty small and youngish;  it could have been his first time out on his own.  I wished him good fortune and a successful hunt.