I'm a big kid now!

I hiked down to South Potrero today, and was shocked at the transformation of the little muppet I had last seen nearly two months prior into this almost - condor in front of me today.

She's getting so close to fledging!

Mountain Quail (Oreotyx pictus)

Sunset at Hopper, the glowing rig looking like a rocket launch. 

AM Obs at SP11

Mom taking a nap while lil' chick looks on.

This creepy tiki balloon was tangled in a tree on the way to South Potrero. A little startling to come across in the still-dark dawn. You can see Dad in the distance. 

Not-So-Lazy Sunday

By the time I am up and out of the house, my way is blocked by none other than Ferdinand. Eventually, with some coaxing from my ATV, Ferdinand moseys onward and upward. 

After a nice big lunch courtesy of Mom, lil' South Potrero looks pretty full.

So full, in fact, that she inspired me to doodle in the logbook.

A tiny mouse just came careening out of my bedroom, probably feeling guilty for leaving tiny mouse poops on my sleeping bag. Now that I know they can get up here, I'm terrified of them crawling on my face while I sleep. Yuck. Also of Hanta virus.

I'm back at Hopper now. After another sunrise hike up to the Agua Blanca OP, I met Geoff back at camp around noon to hike back to the car. 8 (or was it 9) river crossings later, we were on our way back to Fillmore. Of course, at the very end of my hike down from the OP (literally, the last five feet of the trail) I slipped and fell hard on a rock. Like, cartoon-style where you hang, mid-air, for a moment before crashing down to the ground. The back of my right thigh is a study in muted blues and vibrant purples already. Geoff and I stopped for Starbucks back in Fillmore (free red velvet whoopie pie? Why, don't mind if I do!) then he headed on to the Ventura Office, while I made a pit stop at the grocery store for banana bread ingredients.

I brought the entire forest back in my hair.

Back at the Ranch House, I took a long, long-awaited shower. After, mid-baking banana bread, I was shocked to hear the front door opening (I thought I was going to be alone). However, rather than the axe-murdering bear zombie my overactive imagination helpfully supplied, it was Jan, one of the volunteers. Turns out, she's been with the program since 1976 and knows basically everything there is to know about the condor and its controversial history. I spent the evening listening to her stories. Looking forward to learning more from her.

Tomorrow, headed out to Big Meadows to look for a new nest cave.

Apparently, it's also Daylight Savings?

Valentine's Day

House-Hunting

Lunchtime

The inherent irony of my choice of provisions only struck me after the fact.