Today I engaged in the second photo walk since a pine cone viciously attacked my left foot in an attempt to take me out on Sunday, April 26th. The injuries have mostly healed, but the psychological torture still looms. Every step hangs in suspense, with a creeping realization that I am no longer in control of my own feet. My morning walk was restricted to well-maintained paths in the local botanical garden, and then I ventured out on sidewalks and pavement to take the "farm tour." I haven't done this for quite a while and wanted a change of pace. Besides, going that route provides a walk that covers more distance, and I felt I needed to do that. I also wanted to check out the livestock.
Here are some photos from today's walk...
Saturday, May 9th.
Somewhere in this blog I have a post providing the ID for these seed pods. Google was no help. I will probably check back later.
The Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) is currently more plumes than white flowers.
I believe this is a hybrid, Salvia leucophylla x clevelandii.
The Salvia darcyi (red mountain sage) suddenly shot up. For me this means anticipating the arrival of migrating rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus).
Behind the Salvia darcyi is Vitex agnus-castus, the chaste tree. I used to be able to get back there but wild roses have kinda taken over. I had several posts running back in 2013 about a green lynx spider and her offspring. The chaste tree was her home base.
Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag).
From this point, I went to look for my Selasphorus sasin friend, male Allen's hummingbird, Laukki. I hung out, called for him, but another no-show. I have seen him twice since I last posted photos (I think that was the last one), but he was busy chasing off other hummingbirds. I decided then to move on and do the farm tour.
Seed pods on an Albizia julibrissin (mimosa tree). Once upon a time, I was tempted to nab a few, but after seeing what both my sister and a few neighbors have to deal with on the reseeding front, I changed my mind.
This is one of two domesticated donkeys (Equus asinus). I used to visit them in their pen when I first started doing the farm walk. This was way back in 2011. Donkeys typically live for 25 to 35 years on average. However, with exceptional care, their lifespan can extend significantly, often reaching 30 to 50 years. I didn't spot the other one, and you might be able to tell; this was a long shot.
There! There they are! The woody, seed-bearing reproductive organ of a pine tree. Vicious I tell you!
Goats, (Capra hircus). Yep, the greatest of all time. They usually get antsy when I get close and back off, but not today.
Sheep. For the life of me, I couldn't get them to raise their heads up. People driving along behind me... Is that guy yelling "bah?"
Needs no explanation.
A female Haemorhous mexicanus, house finch. Fresh out of a bath.
Horses. My understanding is all of the horses for the equestrian unit are on loan. This campus also houses horses when fires threaten surrounding canyons, etc.
On the opposite side of the street we have cows. Apparently the cows are all owned by Bayer these days. Hmm, Bayer, I don't care to get into Bayer's dark history. There used to be a lot of cows on this campus.
The western edge of the campus, my walk goal. Since the gate was locked I couldn't get to the river.
Turning around and heading back to my car. What's this?!
It made me wonder, how do they get into the middle of the street?
Almost back to my car and I see this. Apparently the squirrels are in on it. They take pine cones and turn them into small rolling pins. Then they drag them out onto the sidewalk.
Despite dealing with the betrayal of coniferous objects and the psychological triggers of a fight-or-flight response, it was a pleasant walk. Total was 3.21 miles Music was outstanding. Here's the tune that took me to infinity and beyond. I remember wearing out the vinyl on this one. 1980.
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