The Last Of The Wildflowers

 

"I am going to give you a handful of wildflowers, 

so each petal that falls will remind you that the earth breathes and the moon rises."

~Carolyn Riker

My Love Has Not Forgotten You

It's been hot the last few days, and there is more of it along the way! The wildflowers are all drying out now, there's still roadside sunflowers, but the more delicate ones are definitely on the decline. Despite all that, I came across a small patch of California poppies, and they were so beautiful, they made me smile! I knew this was an opportunity not to be missed!

 Aren't they gorgeous?

Breathe, Love, Meditate

 

Video Taken On One Of My Recent Walks

Cosumnes River Preserve Wetlands Walk

Galt, California

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature,

 he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

~John Muir

Breathe in, breath out. 

Meditate.

Breathe in nature. Know your worth. Live in love.

Meditate.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Meditate.

Scenes from Cosumnes River Preserve

March 19th, 2026

Greater White-fronted Geese

And A Little Soft Jazz

Into The Weeds

 

"As one grows older, one should grow more expert at finding beauty in unexpected places, in deserts and even in towns, in ordinary faces and among wild weeds."

~C.C. Vyvyan

This beautiful purple blossom is called, wild radish. It's that gorgeous purple you see dotting fields and roadsides, and that looks so lovely with the yellow wildflower known as field mustard or wild turnip. Both of these flowers grow all over California each spring and summer, but it never occurred to me to look up their stories. Both can be used in cooking, I think they would look beautiful on salads, as well as other uses. How great would it be to have a wildflower salad paired with a chilled soup like Gazpacho or maybe Honeydew mint, on a hot late spring afternoon! I have been trying to do more photography beyond my birding. I used to do that all the time in the Bay Area. Public art. Lighthouses. Flowers in my garden. You name it, I was there with my camera. A favorite was photographing celebrities, but, alas, there isn't much Hollywood north out here. But I am happy finding new things to see. This spring will probably bring some lovely cloud filled skies, and rainbows. So, as the Pacific flyway closes, it's about time I photographed all the colors of spring!

Bullet Holes

 

"Speaking personally, you can take my gun,

 but you'll take my book when you pry my cold dead fingers off of the binding."

~Stephen King

There is so much beauty at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Nature at it's most beautiful. From the amazing sunsets, to the birding I have done there. I spotted my first ever Bald Eagle soaring over the preserve, it was the most majestic thing I had ever saw. The wildflowers in the spring and the autumn leaves in the Fall, every bit of the best of nature is to be had. Even the Mexican-free tailed bat adds additional joy to just being there, in the moment. So why would anyone be so hollow inside as to shoot up a sign, asking those visiting to not bother the birds? It's sad, and a shame that folks behave in this manner. It's fucking heart breaking. Sometimes I just want to give up, stop stepping out of my condo, but the world is so scary that I need the respite of this amazing place, so I keep calm and carry on. Why does every area of life have to be so exhausting... and deeply depressing?

The Beauty Of The Cosumnes River Preserve

Four Seasons In One Day

Crowded House

Four Seasons In One Day
 

 

 “Seek out the things on the edge, the things in balance. There's a reason why we see beauty in the sunrise and the sunset, in the change of the seasons, and where the land meets the sea.” 

~Kevin A. Kuhn,

  Do You Realize?

 

Desmond road was absolutely beautiful last Saturday. While I crave, and basically live in autumn, the beauty of witnessing four seasons in one day, especially when it was 70 degrees outside, was not lost on me, in fact, it produced a zen like calm I haven't felt in almost a year. That time it was a late winter day, and again I was out birding. I got to witness about 50 Tundra swans, swimming in the water near the roadside on Woodbridge road. You see, the atmospheric river last year had produced a pool of deep water, and the wonderful swans made it their home for a little while. But as soon as the water reseeded, the swans were on their way. But in that moment, all was right with the world. And on Desmond road the other day, you could see influences of all four seasons, with the presence of some beautiful ducks and geese. Give me every day like this. I know you thought I would say just give me autumn and I will be fine, but no, having that balance meant something to me. I have needed to balance my feelings about the car accident my niece was in, and the suicide of my nephew. It's time that heals, and time brought me to Desmond road last Saturday, and I am grateful. 

 

 

 

 

Matilija Poppies At Twilight

Romneya (Matilija poppies)
May 8th 2014

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

~F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

 

My arm is still giving me trouble, it's definitely better, but it's aching and it's difficult to sleep. I don't know if I should go see my doctor or not, I am still considering it. It's been difficult to do anything with my right arm, which has made my photography difficult. I thought I would just try pushing through the pain, but I got really frustrated today and decided to try photographing these flowers with my left hand. It wasn't easy, but I did okay I think. I have always loved these summer beauties, but didn't realize they were from the poppy family! I am thinking about chasing summer flowers this year. You know, all the ones that grow wild. Alan bought me a wonderful book a while back... National Audubon Society Field Guide To Wildflowers. I think I might put it to good use this summer. I like learning about new beautiful things. 

Mood: Enthusiastic

~Me :)