Birthdays!

Today we celebrated my husband's and also the town of Columbia, CA's birthdays. Columbia is 160 years old today, established just as the Gold Rush was beginning in 1850. Columbia is now a State Park - just search it or follow this link - http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/
It is a great place to visit with lots of history and is a real gold rush town. A lot of movies and TV shows have used it for filming, including High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.

Here is birthday cake being given out to one and all........

Flowers from our front porch.......

 

Orchids

 

 

Freesia

  

Verbena

Missed Opportunities

While trying to always be ready for that 'special' shot, I missed two the other day. The first was of a bald eagle chasing an osprey (fish eagle) carrying a fish that it just picked up from the lake. The larger bald eagle made the osprey drop its catch and then swooped down to get it as it landed on the water.
What a site that was, and one rarely seen here on our lake. And of course, I was not camera-ready.
The second missed shot was of a flock of ten or more wild turkeys that flew across the road right in front of our car on the way back home - that's twice in one day! I had just put my camera away, thinking we were almost home and wouldn't need it anymore. I think I will always have my camera on my lap from now on, and I will be ready next time!

Here is a shot that didn't get away....... 

It is so nice when they stand still and pose for you. 

Views from Hwy 46

Wildflowers on the Coastal Hills near Paso Robles, CA - Photos taken on Monday, March 15, 2010.

 

Wild Mustard and other Wildflowers growing near James Dean accident site at junction of Hwys 46 and 41, near Chalome, CA

Our Crazy Weather....

Spring is having a tough time getting through the door, but it is pushing in! Yesterday's drive up the hill was a bit snowy......

 

Snow still on the roof of Ralph's Station, but starting to melt with snow turning to rain.

 

By afternoon, our drive through the foothills showed us another face of spring...the Canadians are starting to nest. And, those are spring flowers in the background.....the geese know what to do and when it is time!

I Woke Up to Pitter Patter on the Roof....

More rain in the forecast for today. I love all the spring showers as we are going to have one humdinger of a wildflower showing!

Waterfalls off Table Mountain, near Lake Tulloch....love the views driving into town. Soon these hills will be covered in golden orange poppies and all the other little spring blossoms.

 

All the little streams are making their way down to the lakes......

  

 

Coming up on Eagle Point and the descent down to the lake.....

  

  

What a majestic view - left over from volcanic activity eons ago! 

These are shots we enjoy every trip into town  and back - though the road is curvy and a bit narrow in places, this makes it so worth it all. 

In just a few short weeks, this hill will be covered in orange....stay tuned!