Back to the pinyon forest~Nature Notes~091511

There's a turnout right at this spot and you'd be surprised how many people pull over here, but never really look at the scenery.  To me, this is one of my favorite locations on Highway 74, which parallels Deep Canyon.  This is in the pinyon forest.  Sometimes I park and hike a way in and among the pinyons, but I'm always by myself and I'm hesitant to go too far from my car as there are mountain lions in these mountains!  Hubby doesn't go with me on weekends and that's when I usually travel up the road.  So, off I go, armed only with my camera.  I'm accompanied by a slight breeze and the cries of the scrub jays...ahhhhh....total bliss!  Nature Notes for September 15, 2011. To see Nature Notes, please go to:  http://ramblingwoods.com/

I have so much to learn...Nature Notes 121610

I have so much to learn about the flora and fauna of our local mountains! These are the pinyon forests above the desert, but below the pine forests at the top of the mountains. I drive through the pinyons every time I go to visit my horses and many times now I stop to listen and learn from them. I'm also finding that I NEED this time to explore the canyon and its secrets. I feel "out of sorts" if I don't! I now recognize the juniper bush, which currently has blue berries on it. The pinyons are full of tiny pine cones and they whisper in the wind. I love to hear them on a windy day! I love to watch the antics of the blue jays! But, with beauty, there is also danger. I heard the rattle of a rattlesnake last weekend and so I backtracked. Also, I found the mountain lion tracks in the mud. (see: http://rav4adventures.blogspot.com/2010/12/possible-mountain-lion-sighting-oh-myy.html) Alas, with beauty also comes danger, so I must learn to be more careful while exploring this unique environment. My Christmas break starts at 12:31 p.m. Friday and since hubby is home for two weeks, I'll be taking him with me to do more exploring! Nature Notes for December 16, 2010. For other participants, please visit: http://ramblingwoods.com/

~~Cheryl Ann~~