Author Archives: Jack Elliott

Pit Viper On Arroyo Burro Trail

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Chumash bedrock mortars in Barger Canyon below Arroyo Burro Trail. Arroyo Burro Trail purportedly follows an historic Chumash Indian route over the Santa Ynez Mountains linking the Santa Barbara coastal plain to the Santa Ynez Valley. In the foothills below … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Arroyo Burro Trail, Hiking, iPhoneography, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Rattlesnake, Snakes, Survival, Wildlife, Writing | 6 Comments

California Condor; Timeline of Tragedy and Hope

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Jack Elliott

A California condor soaring over Sespe Wilderness. 1890—California condor population estimated at 600. 1982—Only 22 California condors alive in the world. 1985—A single breeding pair survive for the entire species. 1987—The last wild condor is captured from Bitter Creek National … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Birds, Condors, Nature, Photo, Photos, Santa Barbara Zoo, Sespe Wilderness, Vultures, Wildlife | 3 Comments

Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus Titanum)

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Post peak bloom, starting to wilt. It’s a fleeting display lasting only hours. I went out to the University of California, Santa Barbara to see the corpse flower in bloom, a titan arum named “Chanel.” In the wild it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Amorphophallus Titanum, Biology, Corpse Flower, durian, Flowers, Horticulture, Nature, Photos, titan arum, UCSB | 1 Comment

Semen Stains, Fake Tequila and Cava de Oro in Mexico

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Sonoran Desert “The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, or experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes ‘sightseeing.’” —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Image: A Guide to … Continue reading →

Posted in Mexico | Tagged Blue Agave, Cava de Oro, Landscapes, Mexico, Photos, Road Trips, Sonoran Desert, Tequila, Travel, Writing | 4 Comments

Gaviota Pass Overlook, Gaviota State Park

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Jack Elliott

The Gaviota Coast and Santa Ynez Mountains. “The Gaviota Coast is the largest stretch of undeveloped coastline remaining in Southern California, and is representative of the only coastal Mediterranean ecosystem in North America.” —Gaviota Coast Conservancy Surf in the morning. … Continue reading →