EISPIRATEN

Many of my TRs are hiking trips with my friend Jane. You may also remember that her cabin in Big T somehow survived the fire. Yesterday she had some friends over to help prepare for the coming rain. While there, I got to see how the plants are already coming back. Anything close to water is re-sprouting. The plants up on the slopes didn't appear to be doing anything yet, but I imagine it will only take a small amount of rain for them to follow suit.

Also along the river are tracks of coyote, fox, rabbit, squirrel, and birds. I guess the foxes must have underground burrows, otherwise I can't imagine how they would survive.

New Oak leaves:



Canyon Kelp:



Pine cone (not recovering, but an interesting image)



Mmmmmmmm itchy....



Sycamore tree sprouting from the base:

Chino Hills State Park, which burned in its entirety last year, has recovered nicely. The grass lands resprouted quickly. The old oaks were spared because, I think, the wind driven fire blew by them so fast. There were some 6 foot deep gullies cut by the rains before the vegetation regrew. These were on gentle slopes. It may be worse in the steeper San Gabriels.

Good news. Wishing the best for your friend's place in the upcoming months.

I saw signs of life on my hike this weekend up to Inspiration Point too. At least 12,345,004 birds, even more squirrels (damn rodents!), tons of scat and quite a few deer. Let's hope all the creatures big and small found refuge during the inferno.

don't hate on squirrels!