On the way to school

I always enjoy my drives to school. Almost every day I see at least one red-shouldered hawk sitting on a telephone wire. This week I think I saw the same one twice because he was within about a block of each sighting. Yesterday he was clearly proud as punch, all puffed up with his bright orange self preening a wing.

About a mile later I stopped to snap this shot of wild mustard. There are fields and fields of them now. They grow well, wild, throughout several counties and in many a yard as well.



During the class break I took Demi for a short walk. There were several patches of wild calendula. It was late in the afternoon and they were beginning to close up but still colorful. I think they are the wild cousins of the marigold family.


Like the wild mustard, they are everywhere.


Valley oak trees are abundant too. They are gnarled, old trees that bend and twist in every direction.


Valley oaks have a characteristic shape that makes them easy to spot.


See why I enjoy my drive so much?