Fairy Stairsteps

Winter Sunrise

Visiting Chanel Islands National Park

We made it to our 50th national park., Channel Islands National Park.

We got this park in an unusual way.

We took a National Geographaphic cruise of the islands.

We were able to visited several of the islands from the ship.

Here we are headed to tour the coastline of Anacapa Island.

We saw lots of cool geography, like this pretty arch riding out of the sea.

Foxes are the found here too.

I captured this fox running from us as we hiked on Santa Cruz Island.

We had the island to ourselves, since it requires a special permit to visit here.

It was a unique way to visit the park.

Log Jam

Remember that log?  

Lots of wildlife using it!

A passage to the other side

I noticed footprints on the log.

 I wonder who's using this bridge.

A new Feeder

The new sand lot called for a new feeder.

We figured out we could cover it with a tarp on rainy nights to keep the hay dry.

Apollo is checking out the tarp.

Time for a little desensitizing!

Gotcha!

Icy Creek Crystals

Bittersweet

Snowy Sunrise

A snowy Trail

A New Riding Arena

We had a small riding arena and sand lot installed this fall. 

Now the horses won't be standing in mud all winter.

This is a before picture.  

This area was where I'd keep the horses during the winter.

As you can imagine, it was nothing but mud by the time Spring got here.

First the tree was cut down and the sod removed.

A trench was dug around the perimeter in order  to install a drain.

Here comes the large roller that was used to compact the layers.

A permeable fabric was laid down to allow water to drain with out eroding our substrates.

The drain

Next, gravel is delivered

The gravel was poured over the fabric and compacted.

At this point, we had torrential rains and the job was held up for a few weeks.

Due to the drop in elevation, the sand lot was higher than the arena

 so a wall was built separating the two.

The horses got some good training being led through a construction area every day!

Finally, here comes the sand!

Lots of triple washed sand was spread.

The wall between the sand lot and arena.

Finished dry lot.

Just in time!

A Doe Nose

Just a little teaser from the trail camera!

On Guard

Bo on the front porch

Fall Trail Riding

The woods are perfect for a beautiful fall trail ride.

Some Rural Scenes

Just some shots from my bike ride this morning.

 Oreo Cows

 Magnificent Tree

My route

A Fox!

This fox has been hanging around the pasture lately.

Sitting at the gate!

The welcoming committee.

Fall is Coming

Pretty Mushroom

Chicken fungus

Chippy

A Surprise Visitor

While driving up my drive, I spotted a big turtle walking up it.

This guy was pretty large and seemed to have more tortoise characteristics than turtle.

When picked up, he wasn't afraid of me.

Look at those scaly legs!

I knew he had to be an exotic, and had probably escaped or been dumped.

I placed him in my dog wash room and made a few calls.

Come to find out, he's a she and is an African Sulcata tortoise.

She had escaped about 4 weeks ago from her owner

who lives down the road from me about a mile.

Squirtel is now reunited with her grateful owner and is safe at home.