Arcata Community Forest and Arcata Marsh
Hiking is a lovely endeavor that can either be a strenuous workout or a leisurely exploration. Or a mix of both!
In celebration of the New Year, we took a hike and a walk with our Pyrenees, Bear. We started in the Arcata Community Forest, a sustainably-managed and harvested redwood forest whose trees are around 150 years old.
The first day of the New Year was a beautiful, sunny day…the trend of this year’s rainy season. I have from a good source that we are 7 inches short of rainfall this ‘water year’ [since July] and an inch down this January [already!]. While this area could be considered the start of the Pacific Northwest rainforest, the amount of rainfall can vary dramatically from year to year. Somewhere between 29 and 90 inches. Redwoods are good at dealing with variable precipitation, but in a low year, they won’t create a growth ring.
An interesting feature of the Arcata Community Forest are the remnants of giants that once towered over the land.
A popular hobby around here is mushroom hunting. I guess it’s been a rough season due to the lack of rain. Still, there are mushrooms everywhere! Like this log, for example:
We got our fill of redwoods and headed to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a lovely place for birding and I always wish to spend more time than I do. It is actually the wastewater treatment facility for the city of Arcata and a popular place for runners, dog walkers, and birders alike!
I think this fellow is a Golden-crowned Sparrow in winter plumage.
What looks to be a very sleepy Northern Pintail. I guess you have to catch your z’s where and when you can!
The marsh is definitely a nice place to come for sunsets as well!
An avocet was enjoying the low tide, leading a group of ducks in the feeding procession.
Cloud Dove
The Avocet still working on the same stretch. Below is what Bear thinks of taking photos:
Oh my. I’ve had your blog in my reader for some time, but since I can’t see much of your posts as I peruse various blogs, I’ve rarely clicked on the link to your blog. Wow. Lovely lighting and excellent photography. I expect we’ll get a dumping of rain come Feb and later.
January 6, 2012 at 9:18 am
Thanks for stopping by Katie! I think and hope you’re right about the rain. No one likes a drought.
January 8, 2012 at 11:41 pm
I’ve added a notation in my reader so that I’ll know to click on your blog more often. Somehow I have you under Shaina Badlands or something like that; did you change your blog name?
January 9, 2012 at 10:18 am
I think I changed it to ‘Middle of Everywhere’ in 2009 or so. Badlands was how it started. :)
January 10, 2012 at 2:23 am