Dawn and dusk in the mountains: what more do I need to say?
I was standing by the creek at dawn, and I saw a gray squirrel bound up a snag to its top, jump to a large Alder, and then jump to this awesome Jeffery Pine

The squirrel climbed to the top and then a light shower of cone scales began. Back at camp, I grabbed the binos and spotted the squirrel near the top of the tree, enjoying breakfast. Acorn woodpeckers were relaxing on the snag, which was full of their previous handiwork. Susan, my wife, saw Western Tanangers on one of her walks

I remember being 20 years old on my first trip to the San Gabriels, after living near them for 14 years. Too caught up in teenage angst, I expect.

Pics here: Buckhorn/Cooper Canyon