July 1, and The Poison Oak is Already Turning Red

Usually that happens in Autumn, but we had a lot of rain this winter that created a bumper poison oak crop, and now the hot weather has come on very quickly, which apparently is causing the leaves to turn red already. A nice heads-up in case you think about heading off the trails...definitely not recommended! I liked the juxtaposition of this little wild honeysuckle that has managed to scramble up into the middle of this poison oak clump... As I meandered along, I startled a clutch of quail, mom and a crop of tiny babies, who scurried into the grasses before I could photograph them, but then Papa Quail made an appearance and obligingly posed for his close-up. This was right below a beautiful crop of wild plums, which are looking pretty delicious Heading for home, as I glanced over the edge of the bridge I caught this picturesque sight...the young deer was completely oblivious to me, as I was on the bridge above. Then I noticed this gorgeous red Lancia at Marshall's Body ...