Thursday, January 2, 2014

habitat ~ 01/02/14 ~ Wilder Ranch State Park

January 2, 2014

Like I said in a recent backdated post for Jacks Peak, it feels as if someone pushed the pause button on the seasons.  I can't tell much of difference between the last picture above and the last picture taken July 24, 2013 at Wilder.  Well, okay, some of the foreground green coyote brush now has fluffy seeds, and the drab, dried grass is slightly more trampled.  Under the trees, it's a different story, where everything feels pinched compared to the expansive greenery from the summer (yes, the first photo above and the 3rd photo from July are from almost the exact same spot on the trail). Despite all the hand-wringing going on for our record lack of rain in 2013, we've been making our best efforts to get outside as much as possible to enjoy the pleasant weather.  Both my friend and I were wearing sleeveless shirts, and Andy came across a naked, napping hiker.  Sunny.  Warm.  January.  California.