Category Archives: Ventura County

Project Sespe Creek Connect: Stage I, Upper Sespe

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Potrero Seco as seen in morning’s early light, the rugged and parched mountains of the Dick Smith Wilderness seen in the background. The rolling grass covered hills of Potrero Seco in the Sierra Madre Mountains form the upper boundary of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Creeks, Hiking, Hiking (2), Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Pics, Sespe | 9 Comments

Killer King Snake

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Out the other day walkin’ down the first stage of a little project we got goin’ on, David Stillman and I came across a California Kingsnake just after it had seized a Gartersnake. We crouched watching as it wrapped it … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Fauna, Hiking, Hiking (2), iPhoneography, King Snake, Nature, Photos, Pics, Reptiles, Snakes, Video, Wildlife | 5 Comments

Datura Bloom

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Datura in bloom on the Carrizo Plain, San Luis Obispo County, California. “In their quest for visions and for supernatural power, the Chumash of the Santa Barbara region were one of many tribes throughout North and South America that resorted … Continue reading →

Posted in San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County | Tagged Chumash, Datura, Ethnobotany, Flora, Indians, Nature, Photos, Pics, Plants, Toloache | 12 Comments

Gladiator Games of Bulls and Bears: Recollections of Jacinto Damien Reyes (1880)

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Jack Elliott

This post is the second entry in a series of four: First: Gladiator Games of Bulls and Bears: A California Blood Sport (1800s) Third: Gladiator Games of Bulls and Bears: Lassoing Grizzlies (1904) Fourth: Gladiator Games of Bulls and Bears: Sport of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Bear Baiting, Bears, Cuyama, Fiesta, Grizzlies, History, J.D. Reyes, Jacinto Damien Reyes, Non-fiction, Vaqueros | Leave a comment

Haddock Peak Descent to Sespe Creek via Potrero John Creek

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Pacific marine layer filling Matilija Creek watershed at sunrise, as seen on the drive to the trailhead. (Sunset marine layer view from same location 2010) A rough outline of the route hiked down the Potrero John Creek watershed from Haddock … Continue reading →