Iris
barely buried by the barn
caliche covered at drive’s end
along the retaining wall
nature
First Flowers on the Rim of Wonder
Spring comes several weeks later in the country compared to town. The recent rains caused a sudden rush of beauty for wild flowers and iris which grow here almost as readily as the wild, native plants. They seem to appreciate this high, semi-arid country.
These iris thrive in spite of native, caliche soil, no extra water, nothing. About 1 1/2 years ago, I simply planted them without soil amendment or fertilizer. These are rebloomers. They will bloom again in autumn.
These I planted along side the barn. Once again no soil amendment, nothing extra. However, they receive extra water from rain running off the barn roof.
Notice, the tallest one. I did not even know I had one that color until it bloomed.
Here it is up close. Now for the wild flowers I found just strolling around after letting my horse out to graze.
After looking through a couple of native plant books, I gave up on identifying this one. If someone who reads this knows, please tell me what it is. I have also heard there is an app for my iPAD that identifies plants. I have yet to find it.
This grows by the retaining wall near the barn. Although the flowers look like guara, the rest of the plant does not. What is it?
Chocolate flowers were in full bloom a few days ago. Here is one still blooming with a few scrambled eggs (yes, the common name for the smaller flowers) here and there.
These carpet large portions of the pasture. Guessing they are some type of wild onion but not certain.
The blackfoot daisies are just beginning to bloom. They will cheer up the landscape all summer and into the fall.
As more flowers bloom, I will add photos of flowers living here on the rim of wonder.
First Iris
First spring iris
early evening light glows
soft wind whispers
Note: for those interested in growing iris, these rebloom. They will bloom at a minimum again in the autumn. They are so prolific, that I separate them annually and throw them everywhere I have a blank space like here near the barn. They will bloom for at least a month.
8 Creative Ways to Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict
For those of you who want all our wonderful wildlife to survive…
THE TIGER is an iconic endangered species, with as few as 3,200 leftin the forests of India and Southeast Asia. Conservationists have invested millions of dollars into saving the species, and recent population surveys have showed a promising uptick in the number of tigers in the wild.
A new population survey in India shows tigers making a modest comeback. Photo credit: WWF.
This is good news for tigers. But is it good news for people living with tigers?
The answer is a mixed bag. Tigers keep forest ecosystems across Asia in balanceas the dominant top predator, and sustain ecotourism and conservation funding as a flagship species.
But living in close proximity to tigers can be dangerous.
The historic range of tigers is shown in beige, while the current range is orange. The region is now home to 3 billion people, with tigers occupying…
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Legalizing Rhino Horn Trade
You ask, really, is this possible? The South African government is considering it to appease rhino farmers. Rhinos do not have to be killed to harvest their horns which actually grow back if cut. As a consequence South African rhino farmers think if they raise rhinos for their horns, they can get a big pay off from the constantly increasing demand for rhino horn.
Rhino horn trade remains illegal and rhino horn demand continually increases. In Asia the Chinese use it in medicine, mix the powdered form into mixed drinks, and give it as luxury gifts. Of course, there is no proof it works for anything. That seems not to matter. Currently, although it varies from time to time, powdered rhino horn brings about 60,000 dollars per gram, more than cocaine, gold, and heroin combined.
The logic behind farming rhinos is that farmed rhinos, usually white rhinos, will provide enough for the demand and save wild rhinos, especially black rhinos which in some areas are already extinct. Research indicates otherwise: that once rhino horn is legalized, the demand will increase far beyond what rhino farmers can supply. A study by Duke University indicates that many, who do not currently buy rhino horn because it is illegal, would buy if legalized. Once the demand is greater than farmers can supply, poachers will kill whatever is needed to fill the demand.
If you want to research this and discourage the South African government from legalizing rhino horn trade, go to this website: nrdc.org/rhinos.
Costa Rican Adventure–Rio Perdido
Rio Perdido is both the name of a hotel and a river. We stayed several days here in the middle of a reserve in the dry tropical forest (definitely not a rain forest) about 1 1/2 hours from Liberia. The hotel gets all its electricity from the Miravalles Geothermal Power Plant which we actually passed on our way to the cacao plantation (see the last two Costa Rican posts). They use their own water and do not chlorinate it. The name comes from a river which flows through the reserve. Their goal includes protection of the forest and sustainability.
Rio Perdido itself is a hot springs river.
We hiked up and down small cliffs on the river sides to get here.
This river is famous for its volcanic mud. To obtain its benefits those who wanted dug the mud from the bottom of the river and painted it on faces, arms, etc. with the provided brushes. Here one of the group paints mud on the guide’s face and neck. Some attached leaves above their ears.
I wandered on another path down river to watch for wildlife and take photos.
The reserve contains numerous hiking and bike trails some of which are as long as six or more miles. This bridge crosses the river and leads to several hiking trails. The main building in the background houses a reception area, restaurant, bar, spa and gift shop with three swimming pools. They provide bicycles for those who want to try the trails, some of which are quite long and difficult. Rooms are separate cabins scattered throughout the forest. A shuttle provides transportation from cabins to the main area for those who choose not to walk. The staff is welcoming, chatty, and creative. When the staff cleaned our room, made beds, etc, we came back to find my grandson’s stuffed sloth sitting on his pillow, reading a book. For those who want to relax, escape the world, this provides a perfect place.
Costa Rica Adventure, Day Five–Hidden Treasures in the Rainforest
After we left the little village of Colonia Liberatad, we headed down another unpaved road to a tiny little building in a large garden for coffee and dessert. Costa Rica is heaven for flower and plant lovers, a true botanists’ paradise.
A pebbled path led from the road to the “restaurant”. No one rushed; we were too enthralled with the flowers, the humidity, the total intenseness of the surroundings and atmosphere.
Although I have been to Costa Rica twice now, ten days each time, and love flowers, still I can only recall the names of a few.
Hundreds, sometimes, thousands, of species reside within only a few square yards.
Everyone stopped along the way to look. Some of the children wanted to hunt for reptiles. They were warned because the deadly fear-de-lance lives here. A few assured everyone they knew exactly what they look like. Knowing them, it was probably true.
A wood building is a rare sight anywhere I have been there–too much rain. All roofs are either metal or tile for the same reason. Other types of roofing rot. Some have totally given up trying to add color because it disappears quickly apparently. This area of Costa Rica on the Caribbean side of the mountains receives rain daily. It rained off and on all day.
I have no idea the name of the dessert they served us with coffee. It resembled Indian Fry Bread (from New Mexico and Arizona–I love the stuff), super crispy, soaked in honey.
The road just outside this hidden gem.
79-Year-Old Bird Watcher Takes Down Oregon Militant With Old High School Wrestling Move
For those of you who have been following the illegal occupation of the refuge in Oregon, this is perfect. Whenever I see how they treat those who disagree with them, how they violate the rights of the rest of us who pay taxes that fund those lands, how they violate and destroy American Indian sites and artifacts, I become increasingly dismayed, well, actually angry. Perhaps all the birdwatchers in the country should show up there. Would they shoot them? Oh, I forget, most people, unlike the occupiers, actually have to work.
Source: The LapineJANUARY 10, 2016
BURNS, OREGON — Grandfather of four Robert Saunders says he was just out to check on some young burrowing owls at the crack of dawn this morning when he was confronted by a “red-faced pudgy man with a big gun”.
And things got physical when Saunders refused the barked orders to halt and identify himself.
But it wasn’t the retired teacher who ended up on the ground.
Well heck, one second he was warming his hands by this kind of puny little fire and the next second he was running at me and shouting to get down on the ground,” Saunders told reporters gathered nearthe Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
“Made me mad really. It’s public property and here this guy is acting all big and tough and pushy.”
“I don’t swear much at all but I told him to screw right off and…
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Costa Rica Adventure, Day Four-Part Three
Yes, Part Two of Day Four is missing–it will show up later. After floating down Rio Tenorio (the missing photos) and eating lunch by another river just off the Pan American Highway, we went a short distance off the Pan American highway to Las Pumas, a wildlife rescue center. This photo was taken on the way–a very common sight in this area, grazing cattle.
The center rescues various animals but mostly wild cats, including puma, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi–a long bodied, grey cat with short legs and a tiny head, margay, and tigrillo which is the size of a house cat. Their goal is to eventually release the animals back into the wild. However, the only place open to visitors is an area where none of the animals can be released back into the wild.
I mostly photographed the pumas–one of my obsessions.
See if you can find the puma.
Now you can. He kept moving.
Most of their stories went like this: mom was killed or caught by a rancher for stealing livestock; baby was found and rescued and had become too familiar with people to release. Another common story dealt with injuries where the animal had been caught in a trap and suffered too much of an injury to ever be self sufficient in the wild. The smaller cats knew how to either hide themselves or hunker down where it was too dark for a good photo. In the largest enclosure a jaguar lay right next to the fence. Once he had been returned to the wild without success. He did not seem particularly pleased with all us humans so close. He arose, suddenly turned his butt toward the fence, and sprayed. One unfortunate (or fortunate if she wanted a good story) girl was the recipient. She took it well. How often does one get sprayed by a jaguar!
Eventually, after twisting and turning on various unpaved roads through the dry tropical forest (a totally different type of forest than one usually thinks of when hearing the word tropical), we arrived at Rio Perdido early enough for some relaxation, a bit of exploring, and swimming.
Costa Rica Adventure, Day Four–Part One
People love food. One of the fun things about travel is exploring the food. My two favorite, traditional Costa Rican foods are gallo pinto and platanos fritos. Fruit shows up everywhere too.
Breakfast at El Establo just before heading down the mountain to the Pan American Highway on the way to Rio Tenorio. The plate in the background contains gallo pinto and platanos fritos. I have made gallo pinto three times since I returned. See recipe at end of post.
The final view of El Establo as we drove away.
The following photos were all taken riding along the highway, dropping altitude dramatically all the way from Monteverde to the Pan American Highway. The beauty one passes going to and from Monteverde remains unrivaled anywhere–miles of green vistas, colorful mountain homes, cattle grazing.
Typical country houses along the side of the road painted colorful hues. Even here the houses have electricity and running water. Most of the way the road was gravel. In spite of all the green in these photos, this is the dry side of the mountains, the Pacific side.
A lot of Costa Rica is cattle country. In the lowlands all the cattle have Brahma blood in evidence. In the high country it varies. Frequently, they look exactly like the common dairy cattle in the United States.
The farther we drove down the mountain, the drier the foliage and grasses became. Finally, we arrived at a paved road and a town.
Most places, even small towns, in Costa Rica are clean. People take pride in the appearance of their houses no matter how small. Flowers bloom brilliantly throughout the country.
Streams run everywhere even through towns.
Finally, we headed north on the Pan American Highway. In all of Costa Rica living fences surround fields. In this area it appeared the major commercial endeavor is cattle, all distinctively Brahma or at least part Brahma.
Looking at these photos it seems hard to believe this is the dry season. We saw large irrigation ditches bringing water all the way from Arenal, a huge lake on the other side of the mountains, a place I visited on my previous trip.
Recipe for gallo pinto:
Enough vegetable oil to lightly cover bottom of a skillet
1 1/2 cups day old, cooked rice
1 cup day old, cooked, black beans
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 small, sweet red pepper, finely diced
2 Tbls. chopped cilantro (optional)
2 Tbls. salsa (optional)
Add chopped vegetables to the skillet. Saute until onions are clear. Then add the beans and salsa. Finally, add the rice and heat through while stirring constantly. The mixture should be moist but not wet. There should be enough juice from the beans to color the rice. Experiment to see what you prefer. I use garlic instead of onion and poblano peppers instead of the red.
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