Category Archives: nature|trees

Sculpted in an Elfin Forest

Gold dust lichen on big pod Ceanothus along the Garapito Trail.

Sculpted in an elfin forest, this fused, twisted and fluted trunk of a big pod Ceanothus is accented with gold dust lichen, a lichen of the genus Chrysothrix — probably C. granulosa or C. xanthina.

From this morning’s Trippet Ranch Loop trail run from the End of Reseda (Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park).

The Tree

Drought-stressed Valley Oak at Ahmanson Ranch - The Tree

As I climbed the long hill, the wind began to increase, gusting fitfully in one direction and then another. Chilled, I stopped to pull on my sleeves. As I tugged at one sleeve the setting sun suddenly broke under the patchwork of clouds, illuminating the hills in a wonderful — but fleeting — golden light.

Such situations can be anticipated, but not planned. In a matter of minutes the sun would set, or a stray cloud would block the sun. Camera in hand I continued to the top of the hill, hoping to see and not just shoot for the sake of shooting.

Advancing Clouds

leading edge of the cloud shield associated with a cut-off upper level low southwest of the Los Angeles. December 20, 2016.

On my run today (Tuesday), the leading edge of the cloud shield associated with a cut-off upper level low southwest of the Los Angeles began to move into the area.

Systems such as this are notoriously difficult to forecast and computer models (and forecasters) often disagree. In this case the wetter solution won the day with a half-inch of rainfall being recorded at Downtown Los Angeles (USC) Wednesday evening.

The storm increased December’s rainfall total in Los Angeles to 2.26 inches — about 0.88 inch above normal for the month.

Bear Canyon Bigleaf Maple Leaves

Colorful bigleaf maple leaves in Bear Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.

Overcast skies and muted Fall color in Bear Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.

From the Red Box – Bear Canyon Loop Plus Brown Mountain run.

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