-
Join 933 other subscribers
-
“He may be just a tramp, a guy that likes to roam about this great country without any special aim, just to thank the Lord for these beautiful mountains.”
-B. Traven, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
-
“. . .here, where there are still the silences and the loneliness of the earth before man, . . .”
Search Jack’s Blog
Recently Read
- The Sisquoc Falls: A Little Known Region in California Explored (1884)
- Old Mission Santa Barbara
- Save Old Mission Sycamore ... __ __ __ ...
- Eating Poison Oak
- Tarantula Mating Season, Santa Barbara County
- Mugwort: A Natural Poison Oak Preventive
- Indian Creek Waterfalls (Dick Smith Wilderness)
- Burro Schmidt Tunnel and Shanty (1906-1930s)
- Waterfalls of Ventura County
- Wild Cucumber, Trout and Pictographs
Photos from the blog
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
-
Latest Dispatches
- March of the Mustard; The Spread of Noxious Weeds
- Mark of Conquest II: Benchmark and Mortar
- Save Old Mission Sycamore … __ __ __ …
- Raking the Forest: Anderson, Trump, Kuyper
- Initials of J.D. Reyes (1907)
- Last California Grizzlies Seen In Santa Barbara National Forest? (1926)
- Eccentric Artifact, San Marcos Foothills Preserve
- Fog Drip Morels
- Naming Santa Barbara’s Modoc Road
- Mark of Conquest: Benchmark and Mortar
- Hat Tip to the Selfless Samaritans In Service to Others
- The Intelligence of Coyote Tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata)
- The Journey of a Root (1907) and Plant Intelligence
- Santa Barbara County Morels
- Hollyleaf Cherries Golden Morph
Lunar Phase
Tag Archives: wildflowers
March of the Mustard; The Spread of Noxious Weeds
Mustard blooming trailside in Los Padres National Forest, growing where we’ve never seen it before. “Like other mustards, black mustard grows profusely and produces allelopathic chemicals that prevent germination of native plants. The spread of black mustard can increase the … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
|
Tagged Firebreaks, Hiking, Invasive Plants, Los Padres National Forest, Mustard, National Forest, Nature, Noxious Weeds, Santa Barbara, Wilderness, wildflowers
|
2 Comments
The Intelligence of Coyote Tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata)
Wild tobacco growing in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Santa Barbara County. (Fall 2024) If we define intelligence as an ability to perceive, understand and respond effectively to environmental stimuli, then we might attribute to plants what is normally considered … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
|
Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Science, Wilderness, wildflowers, Wildlife
|
Leave a comment
Chief Matilija’s Poppy
We grew up hearing about Chief Matilija and his group of warriors who tried to fight off the ever-present armies. In the myth, the story goes on to tell of Chief Matilija’s daughter, Amatil, who was very much in love … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
|
Tagged Chumash, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, wildflowers, Wildlife
|
6 Comments
Fire Poppy, Baron Ranch Corridor
Posted in Santa Barbara
|
Tagged Fire Poppy, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, wildflowers, Wildlife
|
2 Comments
The Extraordinary Rains of August 2023
The organic curves of chaparral-cloaked Condor National Forest. I’m growing like a seedRain’s been falling on me — KT Tunstall, Feel It All “I’m wondering if we won’t see August thunderstorms.” I wrote that in June, a freak premonition. The … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
|
Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Sespe Wilderness, Wilderness, wildflowers, Wildlife
|
3 Comments
Jack Elliott's Santa Barbara Adventure 