Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween 2010

As the year is drawing ever closer to the end, thought I would post a picture to celebrate Halloween. Our boy Mikesh, 14 years ago. The picture is of his very first Halloween as a wee kitten.
He's still with us, though slowing down, with some off and on elderly cat problems. Most of his siblings are still alive and with us, though he's the last of his particular litter. Little did we know all those many years ago, how long we would be caretakers of our group of feral born cats.
Though we've lost some to accident and illness over the year, a good number of them are still alive and well, including their tough little mother who will be 16 this year..............at least.
Thanks to our immediate spay and neutering of the whole gang, the group has stayed stable.
With only a few strangers slowly creeping into our property, finding a home with us.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Pirate Squirrel at Lake Britton

After we informed this cheeky squirrel that we were not allowed to feed the wildlife, he thought about it for a moment, then promptly dove into the bag of ginger snaps, snatched one and proceeded to munch away. Obviously he felt that if he helped himself, we weren't breaking the park rules. :)

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Lake Britton

After hiking along Burney Creek, all the sudden, around a bend, Lake Britton was revealed. A fair size lake, dotted with coots. Very tranquil this time of year with the summer vacation crowd gone and the adjacent camp ground closed for the season. A few stray day visitors here and there, but for the most part we had the trail and the lake to ourselves.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Upper Burney Creek

This is Burney Creek, down a little way from the falls, making it's way to Lake Britton.
We followed it all the way there, listening to it chattering and chuckling along, over the moss and grass covered rocks.
The banks ablaze in the first fall color.
Priceless!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Burney Falls

Continuing with our Sunday Drives...........this weekend a visit and hike at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The falls are enchanting. Though sadly on this visit the trail, which allows you direct access to the bottom of the falls, was under construction. But still, had a wonderful time. The leaves are starting to change so lots of color, with golden October sunshine illuminating the colorful foliage. Had our Tai Chi Friend Jean along, and after soaking in the beauty of the falls, made our way along the Lake Britton Trail and then back via the Rim Trail, enjoying the forest around us. Very few people out, so the trails were ours alone. Luxury!! :)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Indian Creek

Today we had an extra special day. Decided on a Sunday Drive. Took all day to meander along first the Feather River and then turned onto Hwy 89 to follow Indian Creek toward Lake Amador. Some spectacular scenery along the way. Sadly not much in the way of autumn color, but wonderful just the same. It was everchanging. Photo-ops at every turn. Though my little camera really doesn't do justice to the vast landscapes, it did well enough.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Quince

You know autumn is in the air when the Quince start turning golden and getting fragrant. These are a variety known as Pear Quince, as they are pear shaped. My Mom has an old Quince tree in her garden plot in Berlin so I took some pictures of the nearly ripe fruit. Each year she gathers them and makes Quince Jam or Jelly. It's an old, often forgotten fruit, I have a Quince tree in my garden as well, Apple Quince, which ripen in late October. Sometimes I just pile them in a bowl so their wonderful fragrance scents the air. They are inedible until cooked. Very nice stewed with cloves and cinnamon sticks. I did make a chutney with oranges out of them one year. Very tasty, but labor intensive.