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Maturing
We become spiritually mature because of those challenging us and giving us a hard time. We generally don’t grow much from those nice to us. (Haemin Sunim)
Juvenile California Scrub Jay
The call of California Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma californica) is quite unmistakable, I’d say – a shrill chirping that, with a little bit of imagination, could be the bird saying its own name: “Jayy! Jayy!”.ย It was quite exciting to hear it in our own backyard – I’ve never seen them here before.
Allen’s Hummingbird Female & Fledgling
I hope hummingbirds read Wikipedia – because according to the information there, this must be a Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin). Wikipedia also says that the females are extremely difficult to differentiate from Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufous) – except for the range!
What am I? (solved)
Here’s a new quiz for you… what is that? First one to answer it will be officially awesome. ๐
Black Mountain Loop
We had to postpone our #fridayswithfred hike to Saturday due to unforeseen events, and had to make it a short afternoon hike (more like walk) due to further unforeseen events. ๐ The good thing was that Shuwen was able to join us, of course! We went to nearby “Little Black Mountain” (the “real/big” Black Mountain is further east, reachable from Pamo Valley, quite a long hike actually) and were satisfied with reaching it’s secondary peak. GPS log here.
What am I? (solved)
Here’s another “What am I?” quiz. First one to get it right can call themselves a super awesome Christmas elf! ๐