John & Anne Wiley

2015/12/10

Dam Game

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 20:37

In looking at the Santa Ynez River & associated reservoir pix in the prior two posts I realized the game trails I’d seen are difficult to make out. I look at the original full-size photos (6000×4000 pixels) and they’re quite clear, especially in some zoom shots. But I always downsize (and often crop) for posting here or submitting pix to Edhat. So here are pix of the dams at Gibraltar & Jameson reservoirs, enhanced a bit so you can hopefully make out what I’m seeing.

5440 Gibraltar Game Trails

5440 Gibraltar Game Trails

Maybe the main trail coming down from the top-left corner is a hiking trail, but there are lots of other interconnected small trails along the ridge bottom-center. Also along the bank at the top. Wildlife must be struggling to find water anywhere other than the reservoirs and pools created by water released from the dams.

5451 Jameson Game Trails

5451 Jameson Game Trails

I see a pretty clear trail across the top of this pic, above the high water line. In the prior post pix I can make out trails above the pools. Some quite high, as if prey species are checking for predators, or predators are stalking. Would be interesting to have motion detector and night vision cameras up there, so we could watch the nature show.

River of Dust

The beautiful Santa Ynez River would have been nothing but dust this year, but for the three main dams. We were surprised to see pools like this along the stretch below Gibraltar Reservoir.

5400 Tiny Oases

5400 Tiny Oases

In case you didn’t notice them amid the vast expanse of brown, I’m talking about the string of pearls bringing the water of life to the lower middle-left of the above pic. As you know, I’m also a fan of rock formations, so it was nice to say hi to this one again as we passed. It was probably carved by eons of epic floods before the dams were built, until the edge stood alone.

5404 Stalwart Stone

5404 Stalwart Stone

Another rock I like is next to another deep pool that harbors some precious water at its base.

5414 Rock, Tree, River

5414 Rock, Tree, River

No doubt these pools have been replenished by occasional releases from the dam at Gibraltar Reservoir, and there’s a nice pool beneath the dam that you can just make out in this pic.

5423 Beneath Gibraltar

5423 Beneath Gibraltar

2015/12/08

Puddles

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 09:15

Did you love splashing in puddles during your youth? In the dry climate where I grew up, it was especially fun. In recent years we’ve been reminded that this is a dry climate too. Flying the Santa Ynez River we were struck by the “puddles” our three main lakes have become. Jameson is showing its heart, with that shape formed by the only remaining water.

5460 Jameson Reservoir

5460 Jameson Reservoir

The puddles are so small that splashing in them (or boating, fishing, etc.) are pretty much prohibited to conserve and protect the dwindling water supply. Gibraltar Reservoir looks even worse, looking from the shallow end toward the dam.

5446 Gibraltar Reservoir

5446 Gibraltar Reservoir

Most striking though is Lake Cachuma as you can see by comparing this next pic with the one on the wiki link above.

5396 Lake Cachuma

5396 Lake Cachuma

Rather than red dirt beneath the blue haze, this is usually a lot of blue water surrounded by green hills with sometimes white caps on those distant mountains. According to the SB County OneRain website Jameson is at a hopeful 30% of capacity, but the much larger and more crucial Gibraltar & Cachuma are down to 14% & 15% respectively. Hopefully we’ll have nourishing rain this Winter accumulating in moderate amounts with no flash floods. If so, it will be fun to fly over and get lush pix to share and cruise the hills checking out all the waterfalls.

2015/11/27

Appreciation

I like that we have a holiday dedicated to the powerful concept of Appreciation. Sure, the history of it has blemishes and many people these days focus on food, sports and shopping. But like many others, we tend to take time for appreciation of all our bounty. Having invested much of our life savings in Tripp we have even more to appreciate than most people on the planet, and to me it brings a responsibility to share. So here are a few recent faves.

5022 Carp Salt Marsh

5022 Carp Salt Marsh

Carpinteria Salt Marsh is a quiet and magical place amid our growing coastal sprawl, where migrating birds can rest and relax next to the humans who appreciate their presence.

4837 Bird Refuge

4837 Bird Refuge

On the edge of Montecito our Andree Clark Bird Refuge is a smaller version, popular with residents and visitors alike. During droughts like the present one it can be difficult for the city to maintain, but current work on the golf course upstream may help.

4722 Peaks

4722 Peaks

We love to watch constant change on the peaks above Santa Barbara. Seasonal variations, vegetation, clouds, and time of day combine with other factors to supply endless focus for observation and contemplation.

4889 Hope Ranch

4889 Hope Ranch

The southwestern part of Hope Ranch offers a nice view of our peaks, along with expensive views out to the islands. Luckily there’s a nice viewing area not far from here (above Hendry’s) where hikers, cyclists and drivers can pause to savor that mega-million dollar panorama.

4666 Goleta Sough

4666 Goleta Sough

Behind beautiful Goleta Beach, the slough boasts a small cave I’d like to visit in our kayak. Reflections of sandstone cliffs join the patient egrets here to transport us into serene reverie.

164046 Hendry's Stroll

164046 Hendry’s Stroll

Back on the ground we enjoyed a contemplative sunset stroll at the ever-popular Hendry’s (Arroyo Burro) beach. So much to be Thankful for! 🙂

2015/11/01

Altered State Halloween

State Street is always fun, especially on Halloween. This year we also had a group dancing to Michael Jackson (click for video clip):

3620 Thriller (click for vid)

3620 Thriller (click for vid clip)

But for us it all started with this Nicki Minaj “backup” starlet.

3478 Nicki Caboose

3478 Nicki Caboose

There’s something really fun about snapping costumed people on the street. For one thing, they often instantly change expression when they notice the camera. This gal went from stern concentration to a winning smile before I could press the button.

3480 Instant Sunbeam

3480 Instant Sunbeam

Some stayed serious, hopefully in character rather than revealing their true nature.

3481 Kidnapping?

3481 Kidnapping?

This kid really went “method” and dropped to the ground with a great eye roll when he spotted the lens.

3485 Well Bled

3485 Well Bled

Some of the kids were just SO sweet, like this delicate butterfly.

3488 Gentle Soul

3488 Gentle Soul

To us every moment and each personality is a precious fleeting thing, and somehow this next pic captures that. Maybe because of the transformation we saw when she saw us seeing her.

3490 Being Seen

3490 Being Seen

Or this moment, when each face projects a completely different inner instant.

3491 Group Time

3491 Group Time

The families are fascinating, portraying a range of ages and group roles.

3495 Family Time

3495 Family Time

Of course, many on the street these days are clutching smartphones, texting, talking, or doing some “social” media thing.

3497 Communication Break

3497 Communication Break

I like the pose (and hissing noise) this gal made for the snap, joined by her companion a moment later.

3500 Hisstory

3500 Hisstory

We love how ordinary pedestrians blithely mingle with freaks and monsters this time of year.

3506 Extraordinary Season

3506 Extraordinary Season

“Altered” State Street was alive with this diversity.

3512 Random Acts

3512 Random Acts

I like how sometimes the shutter captures a breadth of facial expressions that are all connected to the same moment.

3522 Faces of a Moment

3522 Faces of a Moment

I wondered if the woman in the middle of this group was portraying effects of the time and effort required for a Ph.D.

3526 Eternal Student?

3526 Eternal Student?

As if the costumes, dancing and acting weren’t enough fun we also had acrobats whirling.

3528 Whirly Gig

3528 Whirly Gig

In ordinary times and places a woman with snakes for hair would garner everyone’s attention.

3532 Herpetology Hair

3532 Herpetology Hair

The little kids were enjoying it all nearly as much as those of us watching them.

3552 Kid Show

3552 Kid Show

Some pets seemed to serenely endure a little humiliation and discomfort to entertain us.

3556 Different Focus

3556 Different Focus

Beyond costumes, a few also provided interactive street performance art to mixed reviews.

3635 Boo

3635 Boo

The exact moment someone sees the camera and remembers they’re in costume can be heartwarming.

3632 Sweet Surprise

3632 Sweet Surprise

I especially liked how small kids reacted to the dancing Thriller zombies.

3587 Small Audience

3587 Small Audience

I wonder if this mom knew who’s behind her.

3584 Guardian?

3584 Guardian?

Some of the moms costumes looked as if they might need a babysitter.

3576 Mommie Dearest

3576 Mommie Dearest

Dads had their own way of dealing with the little monsters.

3571 Dino Dad

3571 Dino Dad

With all the different moods there was still a broad sense of happiness in the crowd.

3570 Mood on the Street

3570 Mood on the Street

These two friendly gals had costumes among the best we saw.

3564 Tut Tut

3564 Tut Tut

At last we headed for home, and on our way to the car this exhausted angel epitomized the shift into night.

3580 Day's End

3580 Day’s End

For young adults though, the fun was just beginning.

3637 Into the Night

3637 Into the Night

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