It’s red berry season in this part of the world, and our yard boasts three different shrubs bearing this cheerful fruit. None of them are native; in fact both cotoneaster and firethorn are considered invasive in California. I’d like to replace them both with our lovely endemic toyon.
Just in time for Halloween, a discarded (exo)skeleton.
One way to loosen up: use a very crude tool.
Lauren and I took an archery lesson to celebrate her birthday. We both loved it. I got a bullseye on my first shot, then didn’t get another for the rest of the hour. The good gentlefolk from the Society for Creative Anachronism were having a medieval tournament at the adjacent range, which added a festival atmosphere to the day. All good fun.
The squirrels are happy. But the acorn woodpeckers are going to have drill bigger storage holes!
Ventura Botanic Garden is free on Fridays. And you can take your dog on Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a very steep site with ocean views all the way up. Definitely a place to return to in spring.
A little something I’m working on for school walks at the state park.
What fun, a covey of California quails in the backyard this morning. First time I have seen the state bird of California in our yard. I hope they return!
OK, this isn’t going to turn into a spider blog. But I just happened to see this cutie in the yard today. There’s something so appealing about jumping spiders, with those two big and two little eyes.
hashiworks 