Lushness All About

I spent much of February wandering about the local area investigating the results of our drought busting wet winter.  Didn't have to go far...beauty was all around me.  The banana slugs are thriving at Purissima Creek in San Mateo county.

I hike along Purissima Creek several times a year.  The peace, majesty, and beauty of the redwoods are always fine.  These are second growth trees but they are over a century old now, so some are getting pretty big.  And the creek is thriving, thanks to the rains.

The trail does assume Russian Front characteristics in spots during wet weather.

A waterfall gurgles down through the forest.

The Carmel River has been flowing strongly.  This picture was taken on Monday February 20, after heavy rains had stopped and the river was rising toward flood stage.  Over two inches fell at Monterey on that day, a rare occurrence.  The muddy river waters create brown breakers where fresh and salt water meet at the mouth.

The mighty Carmel charges into the sea.

I drove upriver to check out the Carmel River at Garland Park, about a dozen miles inland.  It was raging through the bottomlands adjacent to the main channel, and threatening to encroach on the path.  When I took this pic the river was about a foot below official flood stage, and soon afterward rose another two feet, so it probably flooded the path.  Couldn't get a closer look as the authorities were closing the park as I arrived.

This is El Toro Creek on the same day, between Monterey and Salinas.  The creek is almost always dry at this spot...but not now!

A gnarly oak in the West Marin countryside.

This is Nicasio Reservoir on a tranquil morning in West Marin county.  These pix were taken on Valentines Day.

There was about a five day lull in the rain in mid February when I traveled to Marin.  I took the Tomales Point Trail...sunny, warm day though there were quite a few muddy spots on the path.  I came upon the local Tule Elk herd lounging and grazing.  Not only was it sunny and warm, there was little wind...there is almost NEVER a day this nice in July and August, but they're fairly common in winter, especially in dry years.

A ranch fence dotted with lichens.

This is Pierce Ranch, at the end of the road on Tomales Point.  Like several other dairy operations on Point Reyes, it was established around 1860, and operated until the late 1960s.  It's a historic exhibit now, but several of its contemporary ranches are still operating, and producing milk and cheese for the North Bay.

Tomales Point.  Bodega Head in the distance to the left.

The ravens stand sentinel.