29Jun-Photo Release – I don’t go here much, but as you can see this park is a lovely addition to LARPD‘s domain . This park is locally governed instead of by the East Bay Parks that Del Valle is governed by. There are zero dog friendly (off leash) trails here. I can’t keep them on leash when there’s so much room for them roam, they’ll break my arm trying to run – which is the down side to getting them used to taking off as soon as the door opens. So I only come here on occasion now, and not with the dogs.
29Jun-Photo Release – Back when I was still in school and my fellow students started to get a feel for my favorite shoots, one recommended I go find the Great Horned Owl at Sycamore Grove. I was just starting to shoot raptors, so this got the ole juices flowing. Over the course of the next month I made at least ten trips there (5 minutes from home) before I found the big lug. I was given a general area to look for him, in a Eucalyptus Tree, near the old Ranger’s house. There’s a few of those trees near the Ranger’s home, but I couldn’t find the owl in any of them. I must have told myself, “one more chance and that’s it” at least five times. 😏
29Jun-Photo Release – Unless you’ve been here a while, the park’s size is deceptive from the street. It ranges a long way east and nearly bumps up against the western border of Del Valle Regional Park to the east, and extends uphill a long way to the south and east. I’ve never been to the southern end. According to the trail maps It wouldn’t take long to get lost. There’s a ton of intersecting trails depending on how far south you go. I believe you could make it to the Ohlone Wilderness if you knew which trail was which. The main trails have markers. I’ve seen a lot that don’t. I continue until I think I’m pushing my luck, I don’t have hounds to help me find my way back.
29Jun-Photo Release – There’s two images of the Great Horned owl, whom legend would have it, has been there forever. A twenty-five year life span is an extreme upper limit for this species, they are longer lived in captivity. The next photo shows why the owl has been here forever – there’s an abundance of the furry beasties to keep the owl and its family well provisioned.
29Jun-Photo Release – Further into the shoot you’ll see the enigma of the Livermore Winter – with vibrant green hills in the foreground and snow covered peaks beyond just a few hundred feet higher.
29Jun-Photo Release
Sycamore Grove – February 10, 2019
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