Bristlecone Pine Forest, Beyond the Eastern Sierra

We continue down 395 past Obsidian Dome to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains. It was worth the hot drive through the beautiful but hot Owens Valley to climb to this forest  at a sunny 10,000 feet. 

Looking through these awesome trees you can see the far mountains, the Sierras? 

White dolomite in the ground is one reason these ancient trees grow here. One of the living things here isn't 4,000 years old. Can you find her?

Dolomite visible among the roots.

On the downward slope the dolomite disappears, as do the bristlecones. The slope reminds me of a grand rock garden with red rock and all colors of wildflowers carefully planted between the rocks.

This fallen log in the shade of a tree is a perfect place for a picnic lunch, especially when both trees are bristlecone pines!

The young greenery you see behind the picnic site are these 'foxtails' of soft green needles.

The ancient trunks are beautifully gnarled.

Emotionally Unable To Omit Even One Picture,

With Heart

Obsidian Dome, Eastern Sierra

On the way down 395 to see the bristlecone pines we turned off the highway to see the Obsidian Dome. It's an 8,556 ft. mountain peak in a volcanic chain of formations in Eastern California.

Here I am sitting on an obsidian bolder, lava that cooled into smooth black glass-like rock.

I love the bit of life making its way from the a space in the rock.

This yellow bush surprised me in the 'moonscape.'

Notice the different obsidian textures.

This dome made me think of a giant's rock pile that I could see the top of from the highway. I was surprised to arrive at the dome and to walk up it.

Are You Amazed

With Heart?

My Mother-in-Love

I have a Mother-in-Love, and I'm married to her son. 

To honor her I'm changing the template for this blog in hopes she can receive my posts on her Presto Machine where she can receive email. Bear with me while I work on design.

Here she is in 2000 enjoying life and the shade of a tree with her granddaughter, my daughter Karen. The location is just a few blocks from where her early childhood nature memories occurred.

When I asked her what outdoor experiences she had as a little girl, she was delighted to quickly tell me, "I grew up in a tree! A willow tree. I'd go up there to read. I sat in a crotch in the tree to read."

She also recalled that she and her brother John dug a tunnel in the yard that they could crawl into. When they finished that, they'd go out into the woods and swing on vines.

To Mary Hart from your Daughter-in-Love,

With Heart

The Excellent Adventure, Eastern Sierra 2012

We go 'to the other side' every year, the eastern side of the Sierras, south of Bridgeport and north of Mono Lake. It's beautifully rugged country, oceans of sagebrush, aspens, and mountains all around.

This is Leavitt Falls, the perfect view for our lunch of sandwiches and iced tea. Let your eye follow the path of the water from the top of the picture to the pool below. I imagine being able to reach the pool and stand behind the falling water.

This bold golden-mantled ground squirrel really wanted a bread crumb, but he was satisfied with a chunk of Mark's banana. He begged for more.

If you've followed the blog, you've already seen this picture. We go up Virginia Creeks Road, park the car, and walk our chairs and lunch up to this lovely place. We didn't see anyone else all day.

I want to learn how to draw a landscape without drawing every leaf. I try to get the shape and branching pattern of different kinds of trees and wildflowers.

This is cold Virginia Creek. I can't pass a creek without taking my shoes off and getting my feet wet.

Sharing Good Times 

With Heart

Quail in the Yard

Male Quail and his 7 chicks visited the yard yesterday afternoon from 2 till 5. Their call alerted us to their presence in the bushes right out the open living room window. The audience of three adults inside were captivated by the show.

We wondered why suddenly all seven babies disappeared only to see them all under the dad. I recalled hearing a crow call just before the disappearance and the dad making quiet calls to herd them to safety. I didn't get a good picture, so I had to draw it for you. 

Look at your big toe and you'll get an idea of the size of the babies.

After the dad signaled to them somehow that it was safe, the group ate their way from front to back eating weeds and seeds.

Once the group reached the fence, the chicks went through an opening to the backyard, while the male tried to call them back. He helicoptered up and over the fence to continue his watch.

When I quietly went the the backyard to see the birds, they ran to the safety of the canoe. They are the  brown patch right under the pink primroses.

Celebrating Our Urban Wilderness

With Heart

Fritillary

After hiking I was thrilled to find this beautiful dead butterfly. A big black ant started recycling it while I ate my lunch. I didn't get to bring home my treasure.
The Wonder of Nature With Heart.

Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite

Standing on Lembert Dome, not on the summit. With 'nature's warm Heart.'
~John Muir

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Sitting on a log in the shade of a tree to eat lunch is awesome when both trees are Bristlecone Pines. Awed with Heart.

Obsidian Dome

Obsidian boulder-a good resting spot.
~With Heart

Drawing Camp

Eastern slope of the Sierras. Ah! Nature!

Happy 4th of July

I did my part for world peace this afternoon in the shade of the redwoods.

I continued drawing practice, my treat for the summer.

The lesson was to describe a plant with writing and drawing so someone could identify it by my journaling. It was so relaxing I felt like I'd had a nap.

Three California Towhee youngsters paid me a visit at the fence. 

They sat there fluttering their wings and begging for a snack. 

Peace at Redwood Corner

With Heart