Lupine and a turkey
Amber and I took Old Coach Trail from the parking area just north of Espola Road to just past the point where Stoneridge? Trail meets Old Coach Trail to the fire-damaged bridge.
The lupine (lupin) was blooming and we saw it throughout the open areas but never in a mass. The beautiful blue alone would have made the hike worthwhile. I need to make it a habit to take my camera on these hikes. There’s always something attractive or interesting to photograph.
We turned around at the bridge. Someone had moved the “Trail Closed Ahead” sign from alongside the trail (Shirley’s 3/5/08 picture shown) to the south end of the bridge, somewhat blocking the trail. I thought it unsafe continuing over the bridge, as one of the beams had burned through and there was no convenient way of my determining other damage. Although Amber would have delighted in wading either across or downstream Sycamore Creek, it was more than what I wanted to undertake. Again, I had the urge to let Amber off-leash but didn’t. If only I could trust her to come when I called.
On the way back, we could for a while hear, but not see because of the trees, people across Sycamore Creek. The habitat is definitely showing signs of recovery from the Witch Creek fire. At points, there were flowers growing in the path and I took particular care to avoid stepping on them. Soon the water will run out and the foliage will again be brown until next year.
We heard a “gobble, gobble” ahead but the trail bended left and was obscured by brush and trees. Finally, we saw the turkey about 50 meters ahead on the left side of the trail and, as we approached, it moved down from the trail toward the creek, which was substantially below us. Amber was curious and wanted to get closer to the turkey, but not chase it, and a “let’s go” got her moving. She kept getting glimpses of the turkey until it finally disappeared in the brush.
We intend to always take the cell phone but forgot it today. I suppose I need to make a checklist that includes both the phone and camera to avoid a “senior moment”. As it gets warmer, we’ll need to include water, although Amber has been drinking from the creeks and streams. When she can, she laps the water as she moves through it, not stopping to drink. That’s the dingo in her!