Local events

On 7/7/2005 and 7/8/2005 there was some excitement in the foothills that we can see in the distance from where we live.

There was a brush fire, in the hills, and helicopter tankers were flying over all day to put it out. We later learned, from friends that live in the valley nearest to the hills in question, that the speculation was that it wasn't arson since it started up on the ridgeline and burned down into the valley. Apparently, arsonists don't typically like to hike up that far to have their fun. So say the fire crews that asked our friends to move their horses.

Luckily, we live surrounded by many many many acres of frequently irrigated orchards, which should serve as more than adequate firebreak between us and any dry foothills.

I must say, the golden hills of sunny CA are beautiful to look at, but can be a tinderbox. People who drive through them, camp and play in them really have to be very careful. Even just metal striking a rock in a field can send up sparks that can start a devastating fire.

Here are some pictures of this event:


The fire, 7/7/2005


The helicopters that were trying to put the fire out 7/7/2005


The hill that burned, 7/9/2005. This hill is normally the same color as the one in the foreground. Note: there were no clouds in the sky that day, that is not a shadow.

"Something's happenin' here, what it is ain't exactly clear..."

Seemingly thousands (ok, maybe only hundreds, but it's still a lot!!) of birds have made their home here at the J-Bar Ranch. They roost mainly in these two ornamental mulberry trees, and scatter when one passes nearby.


7/1/05: The Big House, pond, dock, mulberry trees, and lots of unidentified birds


7/1/05: The Z shaped smudge is not a bird, but all the other black marks are

Beyond the commotion of hundreds or thousands of birds taking flight at once, there is constant pleasing birdsong, except on a larger scale than one usually hears.

I do not yet know what kind of bird they are, and haven't managed to get a close-up picture for identification purposes. We also cannot figure out why the sudden population increase. I guess they must just like it here!