We spent the day with Dick Newell and friends, in Weir Canyon and environs, basically foothills to the Santa Ana Mountains, in Orange County. Today was the premier cruise for the new tour truck, capable of chauffering up to 15 daredevils on a perilous, break neck -ramble- through the Irvine Ranch's beautifully maintained treasure. Dick knows the Ranch well and promised us some great tracking, and he didn't disappoint. We entered the Ranch's private domain through the Irvine Regional Park and proceeded to the locked gate, where Mike, one of the Ranch's volunteers, produced the coveted key and gained our entrance to a very, special place. Dick knew the route he wanted for the best chance to see fresh tracks and within minutes of easy 4x4 driving we come upon a sylvan glade with 4 deer under some oaks. Only 2 were standing and I didn't even see the others for a moment. They seemed not too upset by the truck, but when arms with cameras came flying out they moved back a bit.
January 17, 2009
Subject: Rockhouse Canyon best pix
Good eve. Today's hike was great, as usual. New faces and old friends. The Thamnosma montana flowers, the Asclepias and Astragalus really stand out. This spider was one of the few critters out and about.
January 15, 2009
The bees were taking water from one of Hidden Spring's little seeps. My truck looks right at home. One trip up to upper rockhouse should be planned for, if possible.
We stopped frequently to examine the road itself as good "track traps" presented themselves. At one point we came upon a watering hole that is watched by cameras capable of seeing at night. Dick told us that this spot is used regularly by lions to drink and that they get some really clear "family photos" here, such as a mother lion with cubs. It is probably safe to say that where there are deer, there are lions, and we found ample evidence of their presence here in these hills. Our tour included some higher ground , but we found lion tracks mostly in the drains and along roads. Some trails were surprisingly close to the ever-encroaching development of "the city".
We arrived back at our cars all too soon, but a great time was had by all. We saw tracks of deer mouse, toad, raven, crow, sparrows, an as yet unidentified heron or egret (partial tracks), many dogs and hikers (including barefoot). I watched bees making sliding multi-tracks as they attempted to get puddle water.saw tracks and trails from lot'so foxes, coyotes, numerous bobcats coming and going, old tracks, new stuff everywhere in the drains and roads. We also saw 8 deer (a few at a time), and got great lion tracks in at least 4 locations. Raccoons were common where you would expect to find them; observed many toad trails and "stools", and one little critter you needed a magnifying glass to see his/her tracks! We saw acorn woodpeckers and heard many more, and saw 2 flickers flying overhead. The only plants unknown to me were exotic grasses and some annuals just sprouting. You would think that spring had arrived to the canyon! Almost forgot to mention the million ways you could see rabbit tracks in all substrates . My attire for the trip? - a pair of shorts and no shirt; no wind; mid-january-ya gotta luv it.
