Wanting to get some exercise and see new scenery, we returned to Sylvan Meadows at the Santa Rosa Plateau.
The last time we were here was a weekend in May. It was far too crowded then but today was Nature Heaven. We were the only ones there for the entire 3 mile explore.Even in the middle of a drought, on this first day of Autumn, there were wildflowers in bloom.Ancient oak woodlands, rare bunchgrass prairie and endangered vernal pool wetlands are a few of the six distinct habitat types that reside on this land located less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean.This special place is home to more than 200 species of native birds and 49 endangered, threatened or rare animal and plant species.This was our first occasion to cross paths with a baby rattlesnake. So cool."The Plateau is an area of stunning biological diversity and rich human history. It stands as an example of human foresight and cooperation in protecting a special part of our shared heritage."
We plan to return here often and experience the various terrain found on this 10,000 acre nature escape.
"Walking is a man's best medicine."
- Hippocrates
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Blue-blue sky - wow! Fun birds ~ Acorn Woodpecker, a White-Tailed Kite, and Kestrel. I saw a Kestrel perched one day, and all of the little birds continued happily chirping and flying around. A Sharp-Shinned Hawk flew in, and six Jays kept dive-bombing it & chasing it snag to snag, relentlessly...and all the little birds went quiet, laying low in the shrubs. The difference? The Kestrel mostly goes after bugs right now, catching them on the fly (low threat). The Sharpie is on the hunt for little birds. Your Kite is in a cool hover, ready to dive down and grab a rodent (or bugs on the fly). Fun watching them hover!
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