is a great horned owl! He was lovely, you can guess his species based on the lovely stripes of his feathers and the tufts at his ears.
We had a nice, low-key weekend. We had dinner with some friends in Hermosa Beach (they have a lovely beach and pier area), then spent some time getting our apartment tidy. Jay's cousin Robert and his fiancee Tia are coming for a visit, and we want the place to looks it's best!
Hope you are all well, and having many grand adventures.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Devil Canyon Hike
On Saturday Jay and I headed up north to Chatsworth, CA where we planned to hike Devil Canyon. The trail is well-known for its sandstone canyons and a year-round stream. I was hoping to see some interesting wildlife, and Jay wanted to get some good pictures. I think we were both satisfied! The trailhead would've been impossible to find if not for the friendly assistance of a fellow walker we ran into. The trailhead is now buried behind a new subdivision full of luxurious McMansions. Once we located the trailhead, we found that the trail itself was not maintained. We had to do quite a bit of "bushwhacking" and hiking in the stream itself. The trail was verdant, with plants growing even on the canyon walls.
Here is a shot of the canyon walls, and the blue sky above.
And here is a shot of the sun onto the stream below, where we entered the canyon.
But I mentioned wildlife, and we found some creatures! Along the trail, we heard frog croaks echoing off the walls. Some patience sitting next to the rocks beside the stream brought out the frogs, a local species called Pseudacris sierra. There were tons of the little guys around!
We also saw a parasite called a horsehair worm, and lots of snails attached to the stream walls which I think may be an invasive species. The best of all, though, we spotted on the hike out. An owl, snoozing in a tree waiting for the sun to set so he could begin his hunt. Would anyone like to guess the species? I'll post the answer later this week!
Here is a shot of the canyon walls, and the blue sky above.
And here is a shot of the sun onto the stream below, where we entered the canyon.
But I mentioned wildlife, and we found some creatures! Along the trail, we heard frog croaks echoing off the walls. Some patience sitting next to the rocks beside the stream brought out the frogs, a local species called Pseudacris sierra. There were tons of the little guys around!
We also saw a parasite called a horsehair worm, and lots of snails attached to the stream walls which I think may be an invasive species. The best of all, though, we spotted on the hike out. An owl, snoozing in a tree waiting for the sun to set so he could begin his hunt. Would anyone like to guess the species? I'll post the answer later this week!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Meow's Cat House
When Meow stayed at the California Cat Center, 
we noticed that her favorite spot was the privacy tent that was provided for each kitty. It's a spot they can go curl up and hide, and inside is a sheepskin/fur pad to keep them warm and comfortable. Meow loved hers so much, that we bought her one to take home. She stays in it quite a bit, napping and hiding. Beware of putting your hand too near... she will defend her little home! I've been moving it around the apartment for her, and right now it's at the foot of our bed. I just thought I'd post a picture for you all of my cute girl napping in her new tent!
we noticed that her favorite spot was the privacy tent that was provided for each kitty. It's a spot they can go curl up and hide, and inside is a sheepskin/fur pad to keep them warm and comfortable. Meow loved hers so much, that we bought her one to take home. She stays in it quite a bit, napping and hiding. Beware of putting your hand too near... she will defend her little home! I've been moving it around the apartment for her, and right now it's at the foot of our bed. I just thought I'd post a picture for you all of my cute girl napping in her new tent!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome to the New Year!
Happy 2011! We had an extremely busy 2010, and it looks like this year will be the same. We spent the holidays in San Antonio with Jay's family, and had a wonderful time. Our new nephew is beautiful, and just as advanced as Darren had told us. He quickly figured out "scooting" when we arrived, and tried several times to wrangle Uncle Jay's camera. Another budding photographer in the family.
I continued my annual tradition of getting sick during the holidays. I was sick at Thanksgiving, right before Christmas, during Christmas, and then sick for New Year. Jay and I rang in 2011 with me asleep on the couch, taking decongestants. He woke me up 20 minutes before midnight, got a New Year's kiss, and then we were both asleep by 12:30. Party animals, I know. I stayed sick at work, and finally caved on Tuesday and stayed home to nurse a sinus infection and 100 F fever.
While I am back at work and feeling much, much better, the congestion has remained, leading to this fun conversation at the lab with my bay mate Chris. Chris is hilarious, and has had to put up with quite a bit of my silliness. But this exchange was a classic. I had gotten a baked potato for lunch from the Greenhouse at Ackerman. Chris was apparently unaware they had a baked potato bar there, and when he came into the lunchroom, he said, "Hey, where did you buy a baked potato on campus?" I stared at him a moment, and then asked in a very puzzled voice, "What the hell did you just say to me about pink bananas?" Yes, I was still experiencing that lovely sensation of having a bucket over my head. My ears were ringing the entire day, and Chris did not miss an opportunity to bring up pink bananas.
I continued my annual tradition of getting sick during the holidays. I was sick at Thanksgiving, right before Christmas, during Christmas, and then sick for New Year. Jay and I rang in 2011 with me asleep on the couch, taking decongestants. He woke me up 20 minutes before midnight, got a New Year's kiss, and then we were both asleep by 12:30. Party animals, I know. I stayed sick at work, and finally caved on Tuesday and stayed home to nurse a sinus infection and 100 F fever.
While I am back at work and feeling much, much better, the congestion has remained, leading to this fun conversation at the lab with my bay mate Chris. Chris is hilarious, and has had to put up with quite a bit of my silliness. But this exchange was a classic. I had gotten a baked potato for lunch from the Greenhouse at Ackerman. Chris was apparently unaware they had a baked potato bar there, and when he came into the lunchroom, he said, "Hey, where did you buy a baked potato on campus?" I stared at him a moment, and then asked in a very puzzled voice, "What the hell did you just say to me about pink bananas?" Yes, I was still experiencing that lovely sensation of having a bucket over my head. My ears were ringing the entire day, and Chris did not miss an opportunity to bring up pink bananas.
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