Timberati » California

Weekend Postcard: Sailboat on Clear Lake

Timberati — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:11:49 +0000

A few weeks back we saw colorful sailboats on Clear Lake. (Clear Lake is in Lake County in northern California.) According to the Konocti Bay Sailing Club, 45 boats participated the 28th Konocti Cup (their route is here). We might see one or two sailboats in a month, to see so many at one time was marvelous.

To see more photos of the event, click here.

Weekend Postcard: Redbud in bloom

Timberati — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:47:40 +0000

The western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) has bloomed throughout Lake County, CA. With its cordate (heart-shaped) leaves and magenta flowers, it dazzles us during spring.

The Razzle-Dazzle Redbud (notesfromtheblogusfear.wordpress.com)
Theodore Payne Wildflower Report 4/27/12 (naturalhistorywanderings.com)

Weekend Postcard: vineyard in the Alexander Valley

Timberati — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:01:43 +0000

Alexander Valley vineyard. Probably a valley oak (Querqus lobata) in foreground." src="http://normbenson.com/timberati/wp-content/uploads/DSC06164-1024x768.jpg" rel="lightbox5292" alt="" width="640" height="480" />

Alexander Valley vineyard. Probably a valley oak (Querqus lobata) in foreground.

This is another picture of a vineyard in the Alexander Valley, just east of Healdsburg, in Sonoma County of California.

Agriculture is amazing. Long ago, we humans domesticated (formerly) wild plants and animals for our purposes, and changing what they do radically in the process.

This scene looks peaceful, bucolic, and natural. Well, two out of three is not too bad.

Dive Into Adventure This Summer in Sonoma County (prweb.com)
2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zin (thesonomavine.com)
Challenging Growing Conditions Produce Outstanding Grapes Throughout Sonoma County (prweb.com)
Sonoma County Wine Growers See Uphill Future For Vineyard Expansion (sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com)
Enjoy Tasting Along the Wine Road at the 13th Annual “A Wine & Food Affair” in Sonoma on November 5 and November 6, 2011 (prweb.com)

Weekend postcard: Alexander Valley

Timberati — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:00:24 +0000

This weekend’s postcards were taken in the Alexander Valley area in Sonoma County near Healdsburg. They were taken last year in May so the grass on the hills had begun turning brown in the shallower and more exposed soils. The grapes were in full leaf.

It was one of those perfect California days. I had gone to Bear Republic Brewery and had a flight of tasters to accompany an incredible lamb burger. Afterward, I went to hear my friend and fellow writer, Ken Dalton talk about what it takes to write his “Pinky and the Bear” series.

Preserving California’s old growth

Timberati — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:52 +0000

On Wednesday you read that private landowners conduct the majority of timber harvesting in California. This is due to the de facto moratorium placed on timber harvesting within national forests (state and national parks do not allow harvesting except for reasons of public safety). And, perhaps you wondered if old-growth timber could be removed. Well, fear not. National and State governments own, and have placed 99.5 percent of California’s 2.56 million acres of old-growth timber in California off-limits to any harvesting.

Nat'l and state govts hold 99.5% of old-growth. Source: USDA Forest Service, "Area of old-growth forests in California, Oregon, and Washington" by Bolsinger and Waddell