Saw a huge drift of young pigs and adults around the equestrian parking lot/campground. Then nothing but some lizards and small birds until about 5:00 when I reached the eastern park boundary. Then the wildlife all came out as I was coming back down Hall Valley. I’ve never seen such large coveys of California quail (must have been a hundred in two coveys); a beautiful falcon; lots of red tail hawks looking for dinner; lots of wild turkeys; and the usual assortment of ground squirrels, deer, and crows. Came upon a turkey vulture eating a freshly killed carcass at a cattle pond. Those things are BIG. No cats (both fortunately and unfortunately). I make a lot of noise at dusk to keep the cats away. Didn’t see any frogs.
It’s going to be green again soon! Got spritzed with rain yesterday, but not enough to have to pull the rain jacket out of the pack.
Back in the day me and my hiking buddy walked smith creek/arroyo Hondo from Kincaid road down to Calavaras reservoir, three days. The terrain back in the canyon is amazing and unexpected.
We also did a bunch of fishing in that lake too, one need just work harder than they are willing to work to catch you. *grins*
In the mid 80’s there was a pair of Bald Eagles that wintered at Calavaras, beautiful.
Nice pictures, thanx.