A Spring Morning in the Pasture

I was going to write this post about ewes and their lambs but found a lot more subjects to photograph--not all sheep.954 Lorreta and triplets Loretta and triplets.Ginseng and lambsGinseng and twins. Look at the horn spread on that ram lamb. They all have lilac coloring.15020 headThis is Foxglove's ram lamb, also a lilac.Melinda and 15055Puddleduck Melinda and one of her lambs.11086 Alexandra m Alexandria.851 ElizaEliza.DSC_6065It is balloon season. Rusty is hiding in the barn.DSC_6066 These ewes were waiting for me to change the fence and let them into that tall grass but I was distracted by other things. Do you see the bird on the fence behind them? Don't look too hard for it. See it below.Western KingbirdI looked it up. Western Kingbird. I know my birder friends will tell me if I'm wrong.Western Kingbird (1)I think there is pair nesting nearby. I was mowing the pasture later in the day and they followed the tractor catching bugs. They would zoom off toward the trees and then come back for more. DSC_6083 Balloon getting lower. In the meantime...Hawk with prey...I saw this hawk being harassed by another bird.Hawk with prey (1)I didn't know until I zoomed in on the photo on my computer that the hawk had something in it's talons. Hawk with prey (2) DSC_6085 Balloon has landed and now I can change the fence.DSC_6089 Happy sheep.

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Jepson Prairie in Early April

Yesterday I visited Jepson Prairie, a nature preserve owned by the Solano Land Trust, that is only about 15 miles from here. This is the time of year to see the wildflowers in this remnant of native landscape. DSC_3716 DSC_3738 The patches of goldfields (Lasthenia species) are spectacular.DSC_3742 DSC_3772  View to the southwest.DSC_3819View to the west.DSC_3794 But there is more than just goldfields in this gold field.DSC_3802DSC_3789The yellow and white flowers are butter and eggs (Triphysaria erianthum) DSC_3800

DSC_3816The purple flowers here are Downingia species. DSC_3806   Brass buttons (Cotula coronopifolia). I looked this up and its a native of Africa. The other flowers I've listed are CA natives.DSC_3823 How about the name of this one? It's a species of Wool Flower, requiring a host support. Another species that grows in my pasture is shown here. (If you like this then google hippos and manatees in Stockton.)

DSC_3826Jepson Prairie is also home to wildlife.

Canadian geese I rather amazed myself by getting some decent shots of flying birds...maybe not National Geographic quality, but OK for me. These are Canada geese.

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I saw these birds walking across the gravel road to get from one part of the lake to the other. I thought that was rather odd...coots...but looked them up and found that "coots have strong legs and can walk and run vigorously. They tend to have short, rounded wings and are weak fliers"AvocetThis bird is an avocet. I will admit that although I know the Canada goose, I didn't know the other birds. I ran into a docent in the preserve and asked him. Maybe I'll remember these two.

I want to go back before the wildflower season is completely over. There are docent-led walks every weekend through Mother's Day so maybe I'll make one of those.

It Looks Like Spring

I hope that winter is not over for California because it barely started. Our water situation is dire. However that doesn't mean that I won't admire the fabulous colors of an early spring. I took all of these photos within about 30 feet of my house. acacia The acacia tree in the front yard.almond and bee The almond tree near the driveway.crop duster Recent rain (two weeks ago now) and warm weather bring out "the air force".DSC_2271 In the pasture.Shepherds purseShepherd's purse in the pasture.DSC_2388 In a pot in the backyard.DSC_2394 Western redbud near my shop. DSC_2396 redbud (1)  This one is not the best photo but I love the colors.