We planned to climb Didthul, but the access road was closed. So we opted for the (easier) hike further north — Drawing Room Rocks. Spectacular!
drawing room rocks
Tag: hiking
fossil ridge trail
pictographs
I got to see something very special today.
bench
Top of Red Rock Canyon, looking west.
lilies and phacelia
I don’t know how long the Humboldt lilies are going to last in Santa Ynez Canyon, but for now they’re still going strong, and we’re loving them.
cute newt
I was sooo excited to see this little guy down in Cold Creek; first time I’ve seen one in the wild. All credit goes to Annette for spotting it first.
papilio zelicaon
Hiking in Santa Ynez Canyon yesterday, Annette spotted this Anise Swallowtail caterpillar munching on wild fennel, their preferred food source.
santa ynez canyon
I spent three hours forest-bathing and nature-journalling in Santa Ynez Canyon this morning. Riparian and Oak Woodlands are my happy place. So many Humboldt Lilies!
lilium humboldtii
For the past few months, we flower-hikers have been avidly watching the growth of the Humboldt lilies in select locations throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. Yesterday V. and I were delighted to spot our first blooms of the season. Happy dance!
striped racer
After stopping in a shady spot to paint a profusion of Sticky Monkey-flowers, I came around a corner of the trail and surprised a California Striped Racer. It tried to climb the trunk of an oak but didn’t get purchase and fell to the ground! I have never seen a snake ‘fail’ like that, and we were both momentarily stunned. Faster than I could whip out my phone, it recovered and raced off through the undergrowth at its signature speed. Sorry for disturbing you, little buddy!
hashiworks 