Monthly Archives: April 2014

The Crackling Oak Forest of Aliso Canyon

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A stand of charred oak trees on an elevated flat overlooking the Santa Ynez River. The White wildfire was touched off by careless recreationists barbequing at White Rock Day Use Area in May 2013. A thick and lumpy Pacific marine … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Aliso Canyon, Hiking, iPhonography, Landscapes, Nature, Oak Trees, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Ynez River, Wildfires, Writing | 8 Comments

California Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea)

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A California stream orchid growing beneath a large boulder beside a seep in an otherwise dry creek feeding into a seasonal tributary of the Santa Ynez River. I think that all but the keenest, most experienced observers would never suspect … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Epipactis gigantea, Hiking, iPhonography, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Orchids, Photos, Plants, Santa Ynez Mountains, wildflowers, Writing | 11 Comments

Teardrop, Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Jack Elliott

Bare bunned at Teardrop. Teardrop was named for its shape. It’s a small swimming hole, a large bathtub, bored out of sandstone bedrock visually and audibly accented by a waterfall dropping into its emerald water. Like many swimming holes, its … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Creeks, Hiking, Hiking (2), iPhonography, Nature, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains, Swimming Holes, Teardrop, Writing | 11 Comments

Native American Rock Art (Kern County)

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Jack Elliott

This rock art panel painted on granite sits in a shallow canyon along the foothills of a mountain range on the edge of California’s Mojave Desert. More art adorns the underside of a natural shelter formed by the boulders, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Kern County | Tagged Archaeology, History, Indians, Mojave Desert, Native Americans, Photos, Pics, Pictographs, Rock Art, Travel | 1 Comment

Indian Wells Canyon, Southern Sierra

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A view of the ridgeline running down from Owens Peak, which was named by Major General John C. Fremont after Richard Owens, a captain who served in his California Battalion during the Mexican-American War. During the war Fremont captured the … Continue reading →