CaliforniaGirlinOz (now just California Girl)

Another gorgeous day, and I wondered if I might stretch to a little climb today. Haven't been up to Lake Suttonfield for a couple of months, and I'm a little curious to see the water level this far into summer. I also thought maybe I'd head down to the Frog Pond afterward, but likely wouldn't attempt the steep, slippery climb back up by the water towers for my trip back through the Regional Park. But when I got to the Frog Pond, my courage kicked in and I decided to attempt the climb. Friends, I'm happy to say I made it safely up. One step at a time, plan the next 3 or 4 steps but don't commit until your foot is securely planted...oh, and keep your gaze down on the dirt. Don't look up to where you are going till you are at the top. Success! Here's the place where I veer away from the lake, down into the little valley to the east, and along to the Frog Pond. The little steep climb comes just after that. It probably doesn't look that scary ...

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 ...