I go hiking all the time, up in the open space above my house.  I decided to take a lesser traveled path last week, and came across several wild iris's (spelling??? hmm...).  And check this one out! I was looking around as I was hiking and caught this rabbit just hanging out on the side of the path.  I think this was the only time I found a rabbit cute...  I have several that live in my yard, and eat everything I try to plant...  So it is a love/hate relationship right now.  :) Summer is coming, and I can't wait!  I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday! 04/27/2011

While hiking this weekend, I was stopped listening and watching wildlife...  I usually look up for birds, out for larger animals and listen for any noises... I rarely look below my feet... When looking down, I happened to see this cute little guy looking up at me...  When I got closer, he moved to a different hole, and watched me...  It was kinda funny. This picture is from Fremont Older Open Space.  Saratoga CA.  (Silicon Valley, CA) I hope everyone has a great Sunday! Caddyshack anyone? 04/10/2011

So I went hiking in my backyard again...  This time I went to where a trailhead is, instead of just crossing the field and up the hill from the front yard.  I came across this sign.  I am not sure if I had seen it before, so I snapped a picture. I live in Saratoga, CA.  I was hiking in the hills directly above Saratoga/Cupertino.  It was an amazing day, and weather was awesome!  I was hiking in a short sleeve shirt. As you can see from the shadows in the pictures, this was later in the day.  An after dinner hike.  I hope everyone has an awesome Wednesday! :) chris   04/05/2011

I live next to miles and miles and miles of open space...  Undisturbed forests, meadows, chaparrals and rolling hills...  Right in Silicon Valley, CA. I went hiking reciently, and took some great pictures of what has been blooming,spreading and popping up after the recent rains! The area that I live in, is a Mixed-Coniferous Forest. This is a great picture of Mule's Ears.  You don't normally see these in this area, or when you do see them you don't often get to see it in bloom around us! Indian Paintbrush is a flower that seems to grow everywhere...  When the ground is all green these purple-red flowers just POP! And of course, poison oak.  After the rain, this vine/bush just thrives!  You can tell that this is poison oak, with it leaves in groups of three, oily/waxy leaves and its roun... 04/03/2011

Wordless Wednesday - Blackberries!  Ready to be picked. Walking down the driveway where I live grows patches of wild blackberries, ready to be picked!  I headed down this last weekend and found a few that were ready to plucked, piled in a basket and ready for me to enjoy them...  After I picked them, most were ready to eat but some were a bit too sour.  So I am headed back down next weekend to grab some more.  (had to dodge a few spiders, lol!!!) These bushes grow wild in the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. I hope everyone has a great start to a great Wednesday! 08/03/2010