Alpacas Demand Attention -- Even on Zazzle

 

Alpacas, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Before our local alpaca farm in Templeton moved to a new home, I used to stop by on my way to and from the post office to photograph or just watch the alpacas. Even if the alpacas were lingering by the back fence, when they saw me they would head towards me. 

They wanted to make sure I paid attention to them. And I did. They were friendly and I enjoyed the little bit of interaction I was able to have with them from my side of the fence. What fun it would have been to actually play with them. This set of alpaca plush stuffed doll toys is the next best thing. 

I couldn't resist using some of their photos to make Zazzle products. I just sold one of them, a bumper sticker, to a customer who evidently championed alpacas. 

Alpacas in Templeton, California Bumper Sticker

 

This alpaca bumper sticker stands out in this month's sales so far amidst a lot of Ronald Reagan Presidential library products I sold. Although this customer chose postcards, most of these designs also come in a poster, magnet, or jigsaw puzzle. And you can also easily put the designs on any product you choose. To purchase or see online, please click links under photos. 

Fountain in Courtyard of Ronald Reagan Presidential Postcard
Postcard: Fragment of Berlin Wall Postcard
Postcard: Fragment of Berlin Wall Postcard
Postcard: Ronald Reagan Memorial Site Postcard

 

See Alpaca Wool at Farmers Market

See a photo review of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

First Really Rainy Day This Year

The Weatherman Was Right and it Did Rain Today

It looks as though the roof repairs held, and the garage remains dry. The flowerbeds are wet, as they need to be. And the oak tree across the street is reflected on the sidewalk that leads to my front porch.

Oak Tree Reflection in my Sidewalk on This First Rainy Day This Year

This was no fine mist that barely left a trace. This was a real rain. Listen for yourself.



I like the sound of that, don't you?

The Promise of Rain Was in the Sky Last Night

I took this in the late afternoon.

I took this next one as sundown got closer.

Finally the sun went down, illuminating the clouds that promised rain to come.

Did you enjoy rain today?

See my take on The Blessings of Rain in music. 

See more of my sky photos at ClickASnap. Here's a sample from that album. 

What's Lurking under the Willow Tree?

Is That Hollow a Good Place to Hide?

If one passes by this willow tree and looks at it from the path, one sees this shady space, almost like a little hollow or cave that would make a good hiding place. But you aren't likely to find any lovers there making the most of solitude. Anyone who has any sense will stay away.

Let's take a closer look at what's hidden in the shadow of this tree. I approach it, stepping away from the trail. I use my flash to chase away the shadows. Does it look like a good hiding place now? It this a tree you'd like to climb? Would you like to gather these beautiful shiny autumn leaves? I don't think so. Not if you recognize that lovely patch of poison oak?

And If You Did Not Recognize the Poison Oak in Time or Fell Into It?

Use this. It should offer some relief from the itching and pain.

A Closer Look at the Poison Oak Leaves

The photo above shows how the poison oak looked under the tree without using the flash. It was late afternoon. You will notice that some leaves are changing color, but others are still quite green. Poison oak leaves are arranged in groups of three connected leaflets. They are shiny with urushiol, the oil that causes the rash when it comes in contact with skin. The leaves don't have to touch the skin to cause the rash. Anything touching the skin that has picked up some oil can also do the same damage -- clothing, pet fur, etc.

Below is a photo I took exactly two years earlier than the photo above under that same tree. Here it is easier to see the patterns and colors of the leaves.

It is very important for anyone who hikes in California to be able to recognize poison oak. When I was growing up, we all learned the rhyme you may have heard: "Leaves of three, let it be." That's a good precaution. It's better safe than sorry. And if you touch poison oak and are as sensitive to it as most people are, you will be sorry. Books can tell you how to identify poison oak, but the sketches are often much neater than what you will see in the wild.

 It's true that berries that grow in some of the same places as poison oak does and can resemble it. I've seen them grow right next to each other. Most of the berries have thorns. Poison oak doesn't. They both change color in the fall. If in doubt, don't touch.

Poison Oak Loves to Climb

It climbs fences and shrubs. It especially likes to climb oak trees. Chances are if you are in an unmaintained area and you see a group of oak trees, you will also find poison oak climbing some of them.

Many public parks in Paso Robles that have open spaces don't maintain those open spaces. That's why Larry Moore Park is such a likely place to encounter poison oak right next to trail. I've even seen poison oak in maintained areas. I once encountered it encroaching on a public sidewalk on a busy street next to a hospital in San Luis Obispo.  I sure didn't expect to see it on a busy city sidewalk.

Go enjoy your open spaces, but be careful. Keep your eyes open and stay away from anything than looks like poison oak. If you are walking your dog in such a place, remember if he gets the oil on his fur, and you pet him, you can be just as miserable as if you'd touched the plant itself.

Have you had any experiences with poison oak or poison ivy? Feel free to share them in the comments.

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Wordless Wednesday: The Next Generation of Milk Thistle

New Life Rises from the Death of the Old Milk Thistles

Milk Thistle Seedheads with Green Jimson Weed in Background, © B. Radisavljevic

Dying Milk Thistle with Flowers Turned to Thistles, © B. Radisavljevic

What's Wrong with This Picture?

 Would you rather remove the can or the poison oak?  © B. Radisavljevic

Like It? Please Pin It.

For more information on these plants, also see these articles:

Milk Thistle and Hemlock: The Prickly and the Poisonous

Oak and Poison Oak in Photos: Can You Tell the Difference?

Beware the Jimson Weed Blooming in the Summer and Fall

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Will This Tree Survive?

A Cottonwood Tree with a History at Larry Moore Park

I have been observing this particular cottonwood tree since about 2004 as I pass it on my walks through Larry Moore Park in Paso Robles It's shape is so unique you can't miss it. It stands alone near where the trails in the park intersect. This is how it looked on October 14, 2017. I will now share the photos I've been taking through the years for comparison.

As you can see, the tree is in bad shape. See how much bark is gone? Very few branches are still alive, if any. Every storm breaks off more branches. It looks as though this year the city may finally be taking better care of the tree.

A Pictorial History of the Cottonwood Tree

This is my first photo after my mom moved near the park and I started walking there. I was still using a camera that left a lot to be desired. You can see that even back then park maintenance was inferior. Most of the tree is dead, and most of what's green is mistletoe.

My First Photo of the Cottonwood, August 9, 2004

My pictorial history has a gap between 2004 and 2010 when I got the computer I use now. It seems a lot of photo history has vanished. But we will pick it up again in 2010. I have put the dates on the photos for easy comparison.  I'm not sure when the picnic table was put under the tree. I think I may see it through the branches on the right.

By March 2011 there is definitely a picnic table and the branch covering it in the 2010 photo no longer has leaves, even though it's March. It's very likely the leafy branch suffered storm damage. Or all the leaves died over winter and are just beginning to come back. The branch at the top right appears to be beginning to get leaves. The bright green is mistletoe.

It's now January, 2012. The shot below looks north toward the trail that goes east to west through the park near the river. You can see the trail and the back of the sign that faces the trail -- the same sign you see in the picture above that faces in the opposite direction.

Below is a cropped version of the photo above for a closer look. It's hard to tell if I'm seeing the top of an intact picnic table on the left. Again, the green is all mistletoe.

By December 2013 vandals have carried off the top of the picnic table leaving only the supports. It appears there are some leaves on the tree.

It's now August 3, 2014. The tree is happily in leafy foliage again,  though the mistletoe is still bothering it. The picnic table is gone, and it appears some of the dead branches have also been carted off. Perhaps the homeless who were living in the riverbed took it to use for firewood.

It's now October 2014. There are some remnants of the picnic table. The leaves have turned brown and the mistletoe has taken over again, but even it is beginning to die, especially at the top.

Here's a closer look. You can see the spot where a branch broke off.

2015

It appears I did not get many walks in the park in 2016. We had to make a lot of day trips that year that took us out of town.  The closest I can get to 2016 is this photo taken on January 9, 2017 between rain storms.

I end this history of the cottonwood tree this month, on October 14, 2017. I'm hoping this tree will last a few more years. I hope you've enjoyed the journey.

Is there a tree you have watched closely over several years?

Burned Out!

California is Still Burning, but I'm Burned Out

What's Left after a Small Fire in the Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

I pray for the firemen and my friends too close to the fires for comfort. Some have had to evacuate but were able to return home. I've only had one fire get close enough for me to see from my yard this year, but it was minor, by the freeway, and put out before it could spread. Someone was dragging a chain and it sent sparks to the dry grass beside the freeway. It's good when a fire burns out or is put out.

I'm Burned Out

It's not so good when I burn out. There's simply too much going on here to pretend I can do it all. I'm remembering all the reasons I told myself not to sign up for another blogging challenge, but my self didn't listen. So here I am trying to do more than I can handle again. Tonight I'm going to revert to the blog requirement for City Daily Photo Bloggers. Post at least one photo from my city of Paso Robles.

Were I to try to do another post on an artist while in this burn-out-state it would not be fair to him. He's an artist I want to do a good job for. So I'll post another photo of day dying last night at Larry Moore Park. I took a much needed walk there last night to energize myself. I left during early dusk. I ended the walk when the sun was almost down. I took this photo near the end of the walk. I'm looking toward where the Salinas River would be if there were any water in it.

End of the Trail at the End of the Day, © B. Radisavljevic

Good night, or good morning, depending upon where you are in the world today.

When is the last time you felt burned out?

Photos of Paso Robles Inn at Dusk

The Paso Robles Inn and Coffee Shop Are Local Landmarks

The Paso Robles Inn buildings are located on Spring Street across from City Park. They are difficult buildings to photograph as a unit without any parked cars or traffic getting in the way. 

The Coffee Shop is the most distinctive because of its shape. (See final photo at end of post.) The Steakhouse is popular with locals and tourists alike because of its delicious food. We like to eat there on special occasions. Many locals hang out in the Cattleman's Lounge upstairs above the Steak House.

 The Paso Robles Inn is often displays its NO VACANCY sign as it did on this busy Saturday night at dusk. That's the red sign at the right.

Paso Robles Inn and Steakhous at Dusk, © B. Radisavljevic

Do You See Clarabelle Cow?

She's at the right side of the photo near the entrance to the inn lobby. She's been there since the Cow Parade ended last May. They auctioned off all the donated cows and Clarabelle Cow is now at the Paso Robles Inn as long as they both shall last. See the details and professional photos of Clarabelle and how she was created.

Clarabelle Cow in Front of Paso Robles Inn Near Entrance, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's my not-so-professional photo of Clarabelle in the middle of February 2017 after she'd been out in the rain a bit. It looks as though she's outgrowing her wine barrel coat. How can that happen? I guess she ate too many of those grapes.

Clarabelle Cow in Front of Paso Robles Inn

See the iconic Paso Robles Inn Coffee Shop below.

If you enjoyed these photos, why not pin this on Pinterest?

This post is for Day 4 in the Ultimate Blog Challenge It's not too late to join.

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Salinas River Photos from Vineyard Bridge in Templeton

The Salinas River in Templeton Looking South

Yesterday I made a stop in Templeton to see how much water had been added to the Salinas River since I photographed it there in July. This is the picture I took from the Vineyard Drive Bridge looking south on July 2. As you see it looks like a series of large puddles. The shrubs and grasses still get water from beneath the surface to stay green. 

Salinas River Looking South from Vineyard Drive Bridge, July 2, 2016

Here is the most comparable photo I took yesterday looking south. You can see that the river was recently much wider. By the way the shrubs bend you can see the north-flowing river had gone over them. Most of the shrubs that were green in July have turned brown, especially on the sandbar in the middle. I took these photos in late afternoon, and I didn't notice the sun spots until I uploaded the pictures. 

Salinas River Looking South from Vineyard Drive Bridge, 1-28-2917

I just made a puzzle of this shot at Zazzle. Here it is. I edited the sunspots out of the puzzle. It is not watermarked, either. 

Salinas River from Vineyard Bridge, Templeton, CA Jigsaw Puzzle

This next photo is a closer look at the part of the scene just beyond the sandbar. 

A Closer Look at the River Beyond the Sandbar Looking South

Next is a closer look at the west bank. You can see the patterns formed in the sand by the flowing river. You can also see how much more of the river was recently covering this.

Patterns Salinas River Made in Sand Near Riverbank

The Salinas River in Templeton Looking North

I also took photos from the north side of the bridge. The Salinas River flows north, not south like most other rivers. It finally empties into the Monterey Bay. This photo focuses on what I see immediately in front of me as I aimed the lens north. You can see the shadow of the bridge falling across the river. 

Salinas River Looking North from Vineyard Drive Bridge in Templeton, 1-28-17

Here is a more detailed view of the west bank. There is still a bit of shadow from the bridge. Notice that some of the water is caught right next to the bank. Here, too, you can see how the grasses in the river are leaning north where the river flowed over them. 

Close-up of West Side of River Near Riverbank

I'm wondering how long this river will remain visible if we don't get more rain soon. 

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Related articles

• Short Walk to the River
• R is for the River