Monday, 1/20/25

 

Yes, it has been a while since my last post.  Christmas and New Years Day are long past, holiday decorations put away, and we're deep into the first month of the year.  I can hardly believe we're one quarter into the 21st Century (Time:  Whoa, why the hurry?  Racing to the finish line?  Hold up!)  I've taken few photos the past six weeks, busy doing other things maybe.

I can tell you that we've had no snow so far this winter.  Nary a flake.  Is this unusual?  We think so, at least judging from our 12 winters here in NorCal.  We've had weeks of rain (yay, rain!) ... wherein you tire of it and wonder if it'll ever quit.  But we've gone two weeks now seeing cloudless blue skies, and we could use a good dousing.

Before Christmas we gave away Evie's "little kids" swing set, replacing it with this sturdy wooden set. More usable for her with the monkey bars and trapeze.  Merry Christmas!

When the rains come, the 'shrooms will follow.  We discovered these gorgeous displays on several of our (sometimes muddy) walks.  I wish I knew their names, and if any is edible.  They are huge!  You can see my foot in the lower right pic.

Some days we'd step out to the canal trail and be encompassed in a fog, or low clouds, soundless and ethereal, and exceptionally peaceful.  We feel so grateful to have this wonderful trail nearby.

Back to fungi!  The two beauties were in our yard.  The big-as-dinner-plates 'shrooms on the right are growing on an old stump amid snippets of still-green yarrow.

This pretty boy (Anna's Hummingbird) perched in a dripping Pacific Dogwood, was just lookin' around.  Its feeder is at right, out of the picture.  Much to my delight, our hummers stick around thru the winter.

Wow, look at this prize-winner!

On the 9th, Jimmy and I walked a bunch of miles on the Newtown Canal-Deer Creek Tribute Trail in Nevada City, one of those neither too hot nor too cold days.  When we descended to the creek, we found the Mother Lode of Ladybugs nearby!  Tens of thousands piled up together to a) stay warm to survive winter, and b) to find a sweetheart and mate.  You might see some coupling going on above.

I am always thrilled to see this sight!  Today is the third or fourth time we've been honored to witness the Ladybug coming-together.  This is one area, we saw lots more, left and right.  Imagine!

Those pesky water hoses are disconnected and the hose pipes covered in case of a deep freeze, 'cause tomorrow we're driving south, aiming for the odorless mineral hot springs at Catalina Spa and RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs.  THE POOLS!  (I need a new bathing suit, but the thought of trying them on and standing my aging, white body before a full-length mirror does not sound like fun!  Woohoo! 😄 Never mind, I'll model if/when I get one!)

I hope it rains while we're gone or even, uh, a bit of snow?  We plan to be camped in the desert for a month.  Don't hold me to it, though.  Stuff happens.

They're Baaaaaackkk! Sunday, 10/23/16

Looks like our rainy season has begun, and most, if not all, Californians would give a loud HUZZUH over this news!  More rain is in our forecast for the upcoming week, the off-on variety, and we'll take any rain we get.  Tomorrow the clouds roll in ... so, today looked like our best chance to get out for a nice walk.  I say, "nice," but today was one of those that can't be beat:  Sunny, breezy and warm (as in, neither hot nor cold), all just right.  We decided to walk on our canal trail, driving and parking this time to start where the trail begins.

I didn't take my camera, just my phone. Above you see Jimmy on the trail beneath deciduous Big Leaf Maple (Oregon Maple) trees. With the wind a-blowin', those oversized golden leaves were spiraling onto the path, but if they hit the water, they floated away downstream like miniature rafts. I liked crunching the crispy ones under my shoes. Some of those leaves are larger than the average dinner plate.

The wooden sign in the shadowy foreground sez: Woodpecker Wildlife Preserve. We can usually count on hearing a woodpecker out here. As we looked across the valley to the hills beyond, we spotted Highway 20 before it ascends into the Tahoe Nat'l Forest -- the way we get to Donner Summit or Reno.

Which end is which on this Woolly Bear? We dodged it and several Banana slugs, sparing lives right and left as we walked along. Woolly Bears are soft, and if you pick one up, it'll curl into a ball in your hand. Cool beans!

I wondered aloud if the ladybugs were back where we saw them last year, so we decided to walk to that area off the main trail.  By gum, they ARE back!  In droves.  Each winter, Convergent Ladybug Beetles hibernate in mountain valleys, far from their aphid food sources, forming huge masses to keep warm, and mate.  We are happy they chose this area to hole up!

This area has a large concentration of blackberry bushes ... and ladybugs!

Keeping warm or making babies?

Geez, look at the briars!

One section of a tree trunk (where the bark had split) was simply teeming with ladybugs. We stood still for many minutes, watching the activity, like a beehive. We were fair game, too -- before long ladybugs were crawling on our clothes, hands, etc. Hard to not whack 'em if they land on the back of your neck! They tickle. We watched them soar into the treetops; they can fly quite high. We didn't see as many as last year, but it may be early for them to congregate. Perhaps more are coming; in fact, I bet there are! We'll check again in a couple of weeks.

On your feet! March 2016 (so to speak)

One of the walks we took last week was on the canal trail, so we could see if the Ladybug Beetles were still all in a cluster, as we saw a month ago (click here).  The evidence is in -- yes, many are present, but they're much more active and not as bunched together.  As the days warm, I suspect the ladybugs will "fly away home."

They seemed mighty interested in each other, too!

On Wednesday, March 2nd, we made a break for it, taking ourselves down to the Buttermilk Bend Trail, which runs alongside the wild and scenic South Yuba River at Bridgeport (site of the longest covered bridge in the world). Wednesday was the perfect day to be Out and About, pleasant and sunny, and in advance of major heavy rains which would begin that night ... and last a week.  Kind of a now or never proposition to enjoy an idyllic day out of the house.  It was cool when we left home, so we wore long sleeves and jeans, but it was warm when we got to the park (lower elevation), and we wished one more time that we'd dressed for our destination not our home base.  One of these days!  Flowing with snow melt, it made us appreciate the river's cool air currents! 

It may not look like much, but there's a lot of icy, crystal-clear water ripping downstream.

A lot more water than we've seen in a long time.

The yearly spring explosion of wildflowers is beginning along this peaceful path.

Golden California Poppies are widespread already.

A bench to rest on, a river to watch, make it easy to simply stop.

Looks like a big puddle above?  It isn't.  While the clear water isn't very deep here, the current is racing!  I saw big trout down there.

Jimmy is leaning against a prize-winner -- no other boulder nearby could compare.

We ate our lunch in its shade.  Up close like this, the river's roar was very loud.

End of the trail, huh?  Most people, us included, don't believe such signs.  We continued on the well-trod path beyond the sign, and just around the corner, the trail abruptly ends with a 25' drop-off.  The end, you betcha!  We were already well out of the state park boundary at this point, so I'm guessing we hiked two miles each way, give or take a few feet.  Much of Buttermilk Bend Trail would be handicapped accessible.

Off to the right of the picture, French Corral Creek sent a cascade down the mountain.

First time we've seen that.

Larkspur was interspersed with Blue Dicks and Poppies.

Clouds were moving after we turned around, for which we were grateful,

but a harbinger of storms to come.

How long has this poor ol' tree been down?

At one time it held many Acorn Woodpecker meals.

Five Spot (Nemophila maculata).  Aptly named, don't you think?

We saw several clumps of Sierra Iris (Iris hartwegii).

Built in 1862, the undisputed longest-span wooden covered bridge continues to be worked on, stabilized and restored.  It's still closed to foot traffic, but we hope someday to walk across it.  On the other side of the bridge is a "nice swimming hole," for those who don't care about cold water.  I'm told that in the heat of summer, the cool water feels good.  So far I wouldn't know!

This barn was built in the early 1860's.  "It served several functions:  Animal stalls and pens, hay storage in the loft, storage of farm equipment, and repair of wagons passing through on the Virginia Turnpike."  The upper right photo on the signboard (above) shows the barn looking exactly the same as we see it today.  Now it houses an interpretative exhibit area of transportation through Bridgeport, historic wagons, hay press and etc.

This is one very fine state park, which lots to see and do for anyone, all ages. We love coming here. Maybe we'll return in between storms to see how the river looks in spate. We've enjoyed March so far!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Friday, 2/5/16

By Friday, with a warm sunny day, we were ready for a long walk on the canal path. The late morning was too fine for us to stay indoors; besides, we'd been away from the trail for quite a spell because of rainy weather and we wanted to see what changes had occurred. We still had to dodge some goopy or muddy areas, compliments of the buckets of rain NorCal had seen in January. That was all right, we'd planned for it and our shoes could be easily cleaned when we got home. Oh my, the sweet, warm air felt wonderful after all the weeks of downright cold temps. Who could blame us for wanting to be outside!

Toward the end of the first trail section, we heard this small waterfall before we saw it -- it had been a few years since any water fell here.  When we first moved to Nevada City, almost four years ago, water flowed freely, but the entire state dried up not long after. Blame us for the drought, I guess!

The waterfall comes from this small pond as it overflows.  The pond, of course, has also been dry for a few years. Yup, we were pleasantly surprised to see so much water and we fervently hope it doesn't disappear again.

I continued walking beyond the pond for a bit, but as I turned around to return to where Jimmy was, I glanced down ... to see not just hundreds, not just thousands, but a million ladybugs.  Maybe more.  A ginormous cluster, on the ground, covering trees, branches, leaves, logs.  If you enlarge this photo, you can see ONE portion of what I actually saw.  I called to Jimmy and he was as amazed as me. 

I didn't have my camera and I was really glad I'd carried my phone.

These are phone pics.

The ladybugs weren't flying; they seemed sluggish, barely wiggling around. I looked on Google when I got home to see the whys and wherefores of a huge cluster like this. Between the months of November and February, convergent ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) migrate far from the feeding areas (of the coast?) to mountainous areas, gathering in masses for warmth, to hibernate, and to do the deed while they're all huddled so closely together. Heading for the mountains is especially true for ladybugs in the western half of North America. This large aggregation chose our 3,000 ft elevation for their winter assembly. Believe me, it's quite a sight!

I'm sure everyone knows that the ladybug is technically a beetle, and a good one to have around, especially in the garden. It'll eat its weight, and then some, in aphids. I say, go for it. I hope a lot of these li'l fellers stick around Nevada City ... they're welcome in my yard!

A very special November! 2015

Jimmy and I finally plugged into Pacific Standard Time (from Beijing and the immediate switch from daylight savings to standard time), though it took us over a week to adjust. It took me more like two weeks to return to my regular sleep pattern. About the time we fell back into our groove, my sister announced she would come visit the week of Nov 16-20. Mind you, I'd been pestering her about coming out to see us! It would necessarily be a short visit, but it's always sweet for Nannie and me.

When quizzed, she said she'd like to go for a hike one day, so Jimmy and I accommodated her wish! We took her to the Independence Trail East, all the way to the Miner's Tunnel (which we call a cave), roughly a 5-mile round trip. The day was sparkling -- coolish -- perfect for hiking. We had a terrific time, too.

On the old Hwy 49 bridge across the South Yuba River,
which has very little flowing water, sorry to say.

The trail is wheelchair accessible for a good part of the way, following the gentle gradient of an old mining ditch. Here we're walking across a long wooden bridge that replaced the old flume.  Except for the mellow yellow of Oregon Maple leaves, not much tree color could be found alongside the trail.

At the "trail ends" sign, we followed a really steep ... track (I wanted to say poorly maintained, but I don't think it's maintained at all, and careful footing is required) down to the So Yuba River.  Close to the river, we spotted ladybugs and tried not to step on any ... and then we realized they were everywhere!  Hundreds and hundreds converging on the ground, atop logs and in the center of plants.  I don't know if they were clustering to keep warm or possibly seeking mates or even breeding.

When Jimmy and I hiked down to the Miner's Tunnel once before, it wasn't accessible -- water flowed freely. Here you see Nannie standing inside the tunnel (there really is a light at the end of the tunnel). All three of us had to perform some serious footwork to get into the entrance and not get a soaker, or worse!

Polished granite, worn smooth by the force of water, glows white in the sun.
It's beautiful rock.

Yes, the water is cold!

Took only two strong women to push this boulder up off the trail.

* * * * * * * * * *

Nannie's other request was to "go up to the snow."  Thursday the 19th was the day we picked, so that Matt could join us on his free day.  Much of the snow that had fallen earlier in the week in the Sierras had melted, at least in the Truckee area where we started.  We ate lunch at Squeeze Inn and explored Truckee on foot, and then decided to drive the approx 10 miles to Squaw Valley.  We found snow! 

Squaw Valley Village.

In our family, snow means horseplay and snowballs!
Nannie and I grew up in Niagara Falls NY, so we know about snow!

She beaned him pretty good.  He got her back!

I'm standing out of the line of fire for this one!

The snow was cold, for sure.  Nannie was the only one who remembered her gloves (except for Jimmy who was taking pictures and definitely out of snowball play); I'd left mine in the car.  Matt and Nannie shared her gloves for a while to make snowballs and throw 'em.  We had so much fun!  We always do.

Time flew by, as it always does, and we drove Nannie back to Sacramento (SMF) Airport on Friday the 20th, so she could be home for Thanksgiving preparations.  The visit was entirely too short, but it was grand that she could spend a few splendid November days with us.  Stay longer next time!

* * * * * * * * * *

Jimmy and I both had birthdays in November -- his is first.  He's nine days older than me; I always enjoy that!  We were Out and About on both our birthdays, walking the leaf-strewn canal paths in the cool autumn air, and feeling grateful for bodies (and a new knee for him!) that continue to allow us to walk or hike as we want despite our ages!  Very grateful, indeed.

Early morning birthday walk toward the canal trail.

 Flawless days with blue skies and cool temps, and pretty leaf color.

 

On our way home, we passed this golden beauty.

* * * * * * * * * *

And then, just a few days later, a cold front approached, this one carrying moisture with icy conditions and lots of wind. Wednesday, the 25th, after a steady, significant rainfall the day before, snow began falling at our house. Our leaf color is gone, along with our leaves. They're now piled in the yard. Fall suddenly turned to winter.

The Sierra Nevada mountains picked up a foot or more of snow.  Come back, Nannie!

A lone leaf hangs in the Pink Dogwood tree.

Tergel looks cold.  I wonder if she's ready to head south?

This looked pathetic to me, and to the hummingbirds, I'm sure!  I donned my down jacket, went outside and knocked off the snow, then brought the feeder in and refilled it with sugar water.  Two days later, I spied the hummingbird sipping nectar!  Our hummingbirds stay the winter.

Oooh, it's been cold since the snow fell. Both of us like to stand on or near the hearth with the fire toasting us like marshmallows. Patchy spots of an ice-like snow still dot places where no sun reaches. On Thanksgiving Day, Jimmy and I drove down to Sacramento to spend the day with Matt and Jen at their new-to-them warm and comfy home. Her parents joined us. The food was superb, as usual (thanks, Matt!), the turkey grilled to perfection. It was a pleasant day, a day to give thanks for every single thing.

In two more days, we'll flip the calendar over to December, and the Christmas season will be upon us, with all its attendant festivities.  We've already begun enjoying holiday events, with yesterday's visit to a nearby alpaca farm and "Holidays at Empire Mine" today, complete with a cheery long hike afterwards.  Life is good.