Tag: spring

Dry Spring

Mr. Bee

We are in the middle of a serious, serious drought.  Water issues should have been addressed four years ago, but weren’t.  Now we are looking at shortages of water unprecedented within the state of California.  There are arguments and court rulings against tiered water usage in residential areas, and arguments that agriculture and industry should be exempted.  Aquifers are being pumped at alarming rates.  Water is becoming the scarce commodity predicted years ago.

Along the Lower Trail (1 of 1)

That said, life continues despite the drought.  This is seen in the resilience of nature.  There are flowers to be seen in the chaparral areas, even as vast swaths of dried grasses are in the fields of open space, fields that are the faded color of late summer in the middle of April.

The End of Spring

We do try to be conscientious of our water usage, but there is still the need to grow plants in pots, whether sweet-smelling alyssum, or a tomato plant for the pleasure of harvesting something we grew.  Our backyard is gone, and we are seriously considering what to do.  The front yard, for now, is status quo, though I am beginning to seriously study the replacement of various plants with native flowers and shrubs.

Waiting for Rain

The fact is humans (at least this one) need nature.  We need air and land and plants and animals and birds and bugs.  The smell of dust, bruised herbs, resinous plants is as exciting as the flight of birds…just last night, a hawk flew a few feet over our heads as we took the dogs out for a walk in the early evening.

Yellow Buds

Our spring has been exceedingly dry, but still there are plants growing and flowering, creating seeds for the next generation.  I hope my generation will figure out something to do which is constructive and adaptive to our situation, and be able to bring forth seeds for success for our future.

Spring Evening

Anyone living in an arid climate longs for rain.  With the rain comes new growth and pungent smells.  Little flowers, clusters of flowers, big flowers, grasses, vines, new leaves, flowering trees.  This greenery lasts for a very short period, and then fades away to browns, beiges, and greys, and you wait for the next rainy season – if it comes – when it comes.

Josh, Puppies, Poppies

Puppies in tow, we set out for the open space around Newbury Park, in Ventura County, California.  It is part of the Santa Monica mountain range, and there are trails you can hike, up and down, to the beach.

Early Evening, ii

We got here about a little after 5 p.m. – the night of the daylight savings change – and hiking in, the sun was in our eyes. At times, the glare of the sun blinded us on the trail, and I had to shade my eyes to even see. The light through the trees was really lovely, with streaks of light through the foliage.

Grassy Hillside-2

Once through the little oak groves, we moved onto the grassy flats. In summer, the grasses are dry and brown, and while beautiful, the abundance of green, and the blooming spring flowers, is a balm for the beige-weary soul.

Poppies at Sunset

California poppies were out, in small clumps.

Wild Pea

Wild pea, too. (I always think of Mendel when I see these!)

Early Evening

To the side of the trail, rocks and lichens, along with clumps of brush and scrub. Everything in the sunset had a glow to it, as only the low angle of the sun can give.

Spring Evening

At some point, we had to turn around, or stumble home in the dark. Looking back as we began our final leg, the sun, as they say, slowly sank in the west.