Idyllwild weekend

We spent the weekend up in Pine Cove, which is a little mountain community near Idyllwild.  Our daughter's former middle school band teacher has a house up there and she offered it to us for the entire weekend!  Whoo, whoo...no 11:00 a.m. checkout!  We had three nights of mountain bliss~ temperatures down into the high 40's and daytime ones in the low 70's!~  What a relief from the desert.  The grandkids came, too and got to enjoy the beautiful meadow back behind the house.  In it were quail and a family of 6 coyotes!  It was fun to watch them in the late afternoons. We drove into town on Saturday and we also hit some terrific garage sales and found baby shoes for 50 cents each!  I bought 7 books at the local library, so I now have my summer reading all planned.  It was a quiet, restful weekend~~one that we ALL needed!  :-)

Vulture~Nature Notes~052313

As I was getting ready to leave the horse ranch Sunday, a large shadow crossed right below me.  Of course, my camera was packed in the car, so I grabbed it and ran to take a look.  It was a single vulture.  I have seen these birds before up at the ranch, but this one was very close.  He rode a thermal for quite some time, then moved down the valley.  I always enjoy seeing these birds.  The valley also is host to several bald eagles which I occasionally see sitting on top of a telephone pole.  Lake Hemet, which is on the other side of the valley, does an annual bald eagle count.  Just look at that wingspan!  Nature Notes for May 23, 2013.  To visit Nature Notes, please go to:   http://ramblingwoods.com/

Hummingbirds~Wild Bird Wednesday~052213

I was chatting with Cathy, the ranch owner, last Sunday, when the sound of hummingbirds buzzing around her feeders brought me back to reality.  There had to be a dozen of them.  Of course, she has 3 large feeders on her porch and in her front yard.  Some were babies, too!  She told me most of them migrate, but a few stay in her yard year-round.  She has a nice, shady porch, thanks to a very old oak tree, and she has another feeder out by her gazebo and then one on the other side of the porch.  She has one older hummingbird she calls "Mr. Grumpy".  He tries to chase off the younger birds, but he's getting too old for that nonsense!  I always enjoy watching these little birds and they put on quite a show last week.  They don't mind people hanging around, either!  Wild Bird Wednesday for May 22, 2013.  To visit WBW, please go to:   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

Old wagon~Our World Tuesday~052113

I love this old wagon that's up at the horse ranch where I board my horses.  Every year, however, it sags a little bit more.  I like to take photos of it during the different seasons. Yes, that's it in February, in my header photo.  See how dry the ranch is now?  Our World Tuesday for May 21, 2013.  To visit OWT, please go to:   http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

"W" is for woodpecker~Sunday Stills Challenge~051713

I love the wildlife up in Idyllwild and especially the woodpeckers!  Once they see the other birds feeding, they will come down, turn their heads sideways, and also peck at the birdseed!  I've seen them do that many times now.  This little guy was actually on the "woodpecker tree", which, as you can see, is full of holes!  "W" for Sunday Stills Challenge for May 17, 2013.  To visit Sunday Stills Challenge, please go to:   http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/the-next-challenge-the-letter-w/#comment-10337

Touch~Friday Town Shout Out~~051713

 Our son, grandson, and his mom stopped by the horse ranch last Sunday to visit the horses.  They all got rubbed, scratched, and loved on!  And, they were happy to see us, especially little Ben, our grandson.  Our son, Hal, always likes to see the horses and he and Sunni are especially close.  Lots of touching goin' on!  Friday Shout Out for May 17, 2013.   To visit Friday Town Shout Out, please go to:  http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

Lucille says "HI!"

Boy, I can't WAIT for this weekend!  One more day of state torture testing and the kiddos will be DONE!  I mean, REALLY!!!  I'm worn out, but not too worn out to head to the horse ranch this weekend.  The horses need salt and feed.  Lucille always nickers for her share (as you can see)!  Isn't she a gorgeous gal?