Sun! Spring!

More rain, more blossoms

Actually the rain is letting up, after days and days of clouds and downpours. When it rains in Northern California it's often of the monsoon variety, which helps make up for the entirely dry summers we have. So, although waterlogged, I managed to squeeze off a few of this lovely tree in downtown Walnut Creek this weekend. And now--the weather gets mild.

Your daily blossom

New Mt. Diablo photo book promises to be beautiful

The Contra Costa Times has a feature on photographer Stephen Joseph's new book "Mount Diablo: The Extraordinary Life and Landscapes of a California Treasure," published by the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Joseph will be signing books throughout March and April, and presenting a slide-show at the Walnut Creek Library on April 13th. The article lists the dates or you can visit his site here.

The slide-show in the article is small in scale, but the photos still look extraordinary. The Mt. Diablo color gallery on his site will dazzle you, especially the panoramics.

Let's listen to frogs

It's soothing, funny and odd all at the same time. From Castle Rock Park at the foot of Mt. Diablo. The creek is currently full of frog song.

Castle Rock Park in Technicolor

I know it looks like an episode of "The Simpsons" but the colors were truly this intense today. I finally got outside after a round-robin of cold viruses for the past five weeks. And what a day. Two coyotes met me on my path and stared me down for a bit before heading toward Borges Ranch. Making the loop, I guess. Anyway, they were not afraid of me, that's for sure but they wouldn't stand still long enough for a photo. I think I saw an eagle flying away from me from a nearby tree. It was either that or the biggest hawk imaginable.


Note the difference in landscape. This is private land where cattle have been grazing for decades, decimating the native tree-sapling population, leaving nearly barren hills with a few lone oaks standing.
While right across the trail, the city park side is in its natural state and full of trees.
Looking through a wind tunnel.