December 31, 2012

ranching at Point Reyes


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photo by Donald Kinney

Visitors come to Point Reyes to soak in its vastness. An odd and almost lost place jutting out into the Pacific Ocean for no other reason (?) than geology.

Pioneers came here to raise cows, as they did in their native Ireland, Sweeden, Switzerland and Portugal. Milk was turned into cheese and boated 40 miles south to the Golden Gate to feed hungry San Franciscans. Fresh milk was not shipped because it spoiled quickly without refrigeration.
The distance to San Francisco and east Marin communities precluded the ability to ship milk for domestic consumption. In the absence of refrigeration, the raw milk was briefly useable by the ranch families and employees. Collected by milkers either outdoors or inside large milking barns, raw milk sat in pans inside dairy houses to allow for cream separation. The surplus skim milk was dumped into a drain leading to an open trench, finding its way to penned, thirsty hogs. It was not unusual to see swine and casks of butter shipped off together on the decks of schooners headed for the city.   source: N.P.S.




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photo by Donald Kinney

If you have cows you need hay, and some clever way to bale it. This horse-drawn contraption probably picked up and packed a lot of straw.

At the far corner of the Pierce Point Dairy a shed has the entire array of farm implements used here up until the dairy shut down in 1940.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Record yields of butter and cheese came from the dairy farms at Point Reyes throughout the late 19th century. Herds of Devons, Jerseys, Guernseys, and later on Holsteins, numbering from 100 to 250 cows per ranch, catapulted the Point Reyes enterprise as perhaps the largest operation in the early years of the state. In 1867, Marin County produced 932,429 pounds of butter, the largest yield of butter in California. These huge amounts of butter were produced in an era when the finest restaurants served every good steak with a melting slab of butter on top.   source: N.P.S.
--more tomorrow


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December 30, 2012

Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore, part 2 of 2


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photo by Donald Kinney

Thanks again to the N.P.S. for the great historical information that I pasted in from their website on yesterday's post. Now, lets talk about the character of these skiddish and odd creatures. And, how difficult they are sometimes to photograph, or sometimes to even find.

The 3 shots on yesterday's post (part 1) are new--"fresh out of the camera", but the photos in this blog post (part 2) were taken mostly in January 2011.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Don't get too close... They don't want to be petted!

The Tule Elk preserve (operated by the U.S. Governmet) is located at the extreme northern part of Point Reyes. Nearby is the trailhead to Tomales Point which is 5 miles north. A spectacular beach; McClures is down the hill, and Pierce Point Dairy has been here since the 1860's.

The land feature in the background in the photo above is Point Reyes Point, with 325 steps descending to a lighthouse built in 1870.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Tule Elk are skiddish and shy, but they can also be aggressive, especially during mating season. These odd creatures of nature are smaller than "regular" Elk but signs warn that they are strong and protective. With long legs they vaguely look like a cross between a Llama and a Horse.



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photo by Donald Kinney

"I'm ready for my closeup now, Mr. DeMille"...

In reality, a telephoto lens is needed to get anywhere near these critters.
All these photos have been cropped a bit.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And where dairy cows from Pierce Point Dairy used to roam, this Tule Elk stands proud. I'll be showing photos of the historic dairy soon. Stay tuned.


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December 29, 2012

Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore, part 1 of 2


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photo by Donald Kinney

History of Tule Elk
The tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) is one of two subspecies of elk native to California. Its numbers were severely reduced in the mid-1800s, primarily due to uncontrolled market hunting and displacement by cattle. By some accounts, fewer than 30 remained in a single herd near Bakersfield in the mid-1870s. A conservation minded cattle rancher named Henry Miller had the foresight to preserve this last isolated group discovered on his ranch in 1874. Until this discovery, tule elk were thought to be extinct. All of the estimated 3,900 tule elk present in 22 herds across California (as of 2012) were derived from this small remnant herd, thanks to his initial efforts.

Tule elk are endemic to California, meaning they are found only here. Roosevelt elk (C. canadensis roosevelti), our other native California elk, are found on forested slopes in the Pacific Northwest and in several other western states. Rocky Mountain elk (C. canadensis nelsoni), also found in California, are a non-native transplant and are found in the northeast corner of California.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Tule Elk at Point Reyes
Tule elk once inhabited the grasslands of the Point Reyes peninsula and the Olema Valley, as well as other grasslands within Marin County. They were the dominant grazers on these lands until their local extirpation in the 1850s. State and Federal legislation in the early 1970s, authorized the California Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, to reintroduce the extirpated tule elk to Tomales Point. As a result, 10 animals (8 females and 2 males) were transplanted from an existing reintroduced herd in the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los BaƱos to a 2,600 acre fenced enclosure on Tomales Point in 1978. The site of this release was a decommissioned cattle ranching area, known as Pierce Point Ranch, which is now designated as wilderness.

Further conservation efforts resulted in an additional free-ranging herd being established at Point Reyes. In 1998, 28 animals taken from the Tomales Point preserve were released in the wilderness area south of Limantour Beach. Reintroduction of tule elk to the National Seashore and the further establishment of the free-ranging herd has been an important component of the restoration of the natural systems historically found in this unique and treasured place.

Tule Elk Populations at Tomales Point Following an initial period of slow growth within the Tomales Elk Preserve, the tule elk herd finally began to show an exponential increase in population over several years. Biologists theorized at that time that they might become too numerous within the reserve and park staff attempted to prevent over-population and damage to the range through various means, including an experimental 4-year effort to slow growth through the use of contraceptives. Since that time, the tule elk have proven to be populating the preserve at sustainable levels with census numbers leveling-off, averaging around 450 individuals. The elk currently do not appear to be causing any damage to the Tomales Point grasslands on which they depend and share with other wildlife and plants, including several endangered and endemic species.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Free-Ranging Populations
Of the 45 elk transported to a holding pen for quarantine near Limantour Beach, 28 animals were cleared for release following screening for Johne's disease. Johne's disease, or paratuberculosis, is a chronic diarrheal disease of domestic livestock and can affect wild ruminants. After relocation from Tomales Point to the Limantour area, several elk were observed to have traveled across Drakes Estero where they established a sub-herd near Drakes Beach. In 2012, over 55 elk inhabited the Drakes Beach area while over 65 remained in the Limantour-Muddy Hollow-Glenbrook area. Opportunities for wildlife viewing have been greatly enhanced by the presence of these herds, and visitors can expect to view and photograph tule elk at Point Reyes even if they never travel to the far end of the park and into the Tomales Point preserve.

Point Reyes National Seashore remains the only National Park unit where tule elk can be found. The majestic animals you see as you travel through the park embody the restoration of the dominant native herbivore to the California coastal ecosystem. They shape the landscape around them as they did for centuries before they were extirpated by humans. They symbolize the conservation of native species and ecosystem processes, one of the primary missions of the National Park Service.

The tule elk's presence is treasured by visitors, photographers, naturalists, and locals alike. Their image has been expressed in the local folk art, numerous local and nationally published photographs, and even on the local trade/barter currency where they are depicted alongside cattle, coho salmon, and local produce as being emblematic of the community.

The project to reintroduce free-ranging tule elk to the Limantour area was made possible by generous grants from:

Canon USA, Inc., through the National Park Foundation
The Committee for the Preservation of Tule Elk
The Leonard X. Bosak and Bette M. Kruger Charitable Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

reprinted with permission National Park Service   nps.gov/pore/naturescience/tule_elk.htm


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December 28, 2012

earth and sky, Mount Tamalpais


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photo by Donald Kinney

Clouds aren't always easy to come by. During Summer months we have day after day, and month after month of plain vanilla blue skies--really, it can get quite monotonous after a while.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But wow, between periods of total overcast and heavy downpours during this unusually wet California December I have been treated to a real sky show.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Our "sleeping lady", Mount Tamalpais usually looks good in any sort of weather, but here she is wearing a bit of early morning color.


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December 27, 2012

more from Cataract Falls, Mt. Tamalpais


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photo by Donald Kinney

Life is full of uncertainty, but without a doubt the residents of my beloved Marin County will be sleeping-in late on Saturday mornings. Before 8AM I pretty much have our entire county, full of incredible beauty, to myself.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But Cataract Falls is a popular spot--especially after heavy rains when the creek is flowing full-tilt. Later in the day there will be nary a place to park. The trail will be thick with nature lovers soaking it all in.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I'm not going to name names, but Marin County is home to a plethora of accomplished photographers, some of who are quite famous. Not one of them did I encounter on my Saturday morning adventure--except for one chap with a backpack full of photo equipment who waved hello and shouted over the tremendous roar of the falls; "Great minds think alike". Not that I have any sort of great mind, but I appreciated the sentiment.


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December 26, 2012

"making the rounds" after rain


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photo by Donald Kinney

There are reflections amongst us. They are everywhere. The fun is the hunt. I found this scene at Roy's Redwoods, a somewhat lesser known but incredibly beautiful area here in Marin County, California.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And the rush is on for waterfalls of all sizes and descriptions. These, from my namesake, Kinney Creek, are rather brown from silt washed into the creek after a night of particularly heavy rain.



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photo by Donald Kinney

On Saturday I visited water as white as cotton at Cataract Falls on my beloved Mount Tamalpais. Between downpours, there have been places to go and waterfalls of all sizes to visit. I've been busy. There you go... My world.


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December 25, 2012

a quest for peace


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photo by Donald Kinney

Realistically, I have pretty much given up hope. We are a nation of war.



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photo by Donald Kinney

The olive branch as a symbol of peace dates back to early Roman times. Doves also. The symbol of a broken rifle came along in 1909 with the War Resister's International organization founded in Norway.

Later between wars, white poppies that had been used to commemorate the dead were used by the British Peace Pledge Union as "a pledge to peace that war must not happen again". Apparently, Hitler didn't get the message.



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photo by Donald Kinney

The broken rifle has also been used, as has three dots in a circle. Finally, in 1958 Gerald Holtom designed what we currently know as the internationally recognized symbol for peace for the British nuclear disarmament movement. In the code of the semaphore, this is a superimposing of the letters "N" (holding flags in an inverted V) and "D" (one flag straight up and the other straight down). "ND" stands for nuclear disarmament, although since then the peace symbol has become widely used by the anti-war movement.

But again, I have pretty much given up hope. Oh, I will continue to do what little I can do, but I am starting to come to the realization that peace must begin as a spark within ourselves. First we must find our own personal peace, and there are unlimited ways to go about this. I'm sure you have your own way of going about it, but for me, I attempt to seek peace in the subjects I photograph. I'll keep trying.

note: First two images are recent. Last image taken December 22, 2007.


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December 24, 2012

creeks and streams are flowing


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photo by Donald Kinney

We usually get our heavy doses of rain in January. I can't remember ever experiencing this much rain in December, but hey--I'm not complaining.



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photo by Donald Kinney

For most of the year this "occasional" creek at my beloved Roy's Redwoods stands completely dry--not even a trickle, not even a hint.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But for now, the creeks and streams are flowing. Some real cracker-jacks!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!


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December 23, 2012

rainy day at China Camp


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photo by Donald Kinney

We've been getting more than our fair share of rain this December for which I am truly grateful. The waterfalls, streams, and "occasional" creeks have never been more full, and the mood has seldom been more drippy and wet.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But for an old geezer with a penchant for incessant shutter clicking, the days have been dominated by "rain delays" and even a few "game cancellations". The opportunities to get outside with the camera have been dicey.



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photo by Donald Kinney

...


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December 22, 2012

steamy morning at Nicasio


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photo by Donald Kinney

On Wednesday we had one of those super-cold mornings. 28 degrees out in the wilds of West Marin.



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photo by Donald Kinney

The steam coming off the reservoir at Nicasio was putting on quite a show.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Yellowish light in one direction, orangish in another. Here we have pink.
A genuine smorgasbord of color, I'd call it.  Brrrr... Was it ever cold!


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December 21, 2012

Elliot Preserve, Cascade Canyon, Fairfax


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photo by Donald Kinney

Although close by I visit far too infrequently, but I've been enjoying Cascade Canyon since the late 1960's when I first moved here. These were the days before the area was opened to the public--the property owner did everything within his power, but usually failed in keeping "trespassers" out.



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photo by Donald Kinney

As you probably know by now, I like to explore the reflectivity of water.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And of course I try my best to capture the beauty of it all.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Stopping often to chat with some of the local residents--like this Newt.


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December 20, 2012

color in the forest


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photo by Donald Kinney

Okay, mondo color, where else--but back at my beloved Kinney Creek.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Not Kinney Creek, but another "occasional" creek on Mt. Tamalpais.
Pretty, isn't it?


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December 19, 2012

sounds of water in the forest


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photo by Donald Kinney

Shurrrrrrrr...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Harrrrrrrr...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Plop, ploip, ploop...

So, its a jungle out there -- how about some animal sounds?


animal sounds - mouse over keys --or click on key to repeat 3 times... drag keys to create key combos.
I made a series of these in 2005 which can be found here.


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December 18, 2012

a familiar view at China Camp


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photo by Donald Kinney

Rarely do I pass by this scene at my beloved China Camp without stopping for a snap. And rarely do I ever find the view exactly the same. On Sunday morning at high-tide I found it whitish and in a foggy kind of mood.



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photo by Donald Kinney

A few days earlier... Notice some funny stuff going on with depth-of-field on the left side of the photo? In lieu of the wide-angle lens I don't have, this panorama was made with six vertical images stitched together in Photoshop.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This cloud shot is also a stitched-together panorama--I seem to be taking more and more "panos" recently. Hopefully my field of vision is widening. But the cool thing about stitching images together is the end result is a HUGE original suitable for HUGE prints.


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December 17, 2012

oh Sun, where art thou?


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photo by Donald Kinney

California can use all the precipitation it can muster, and yes, it is raining again. Friday morning was curious--with a promising splash of red across the sky. Two minutes later heavy clouds moved over, completely quashing the rising flame.



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photo by Donald Kinney

So, this morning I went searching for stragglers on my hard-drive...



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photo by Donald Kinney

This photo and the preceding image were snapped about one month ago.
I guess I've been keeping them for a rainy day.


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December 16, 2012

Northbay tracks and vines


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photo by Donald Kinney

On Thursday I boarded my little Camera-Express-Choo-Choo, and before I knew it I was pondering sights in the Carnaros region of Napa Valley.

I probably should have gotten an overall shot, but this is California Northern Railroad's lift bridge spanning the Napa River near Vallejo. That second image is a mirrored attempt--I really don't know what I was thinking...



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photo by Donald Kinney

A turning bridge spans the Petaluma River at Black Point. This is owned by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, which has had a checkered past dealing with nature, age, and creditors in efforts towards keeping the line open.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Perhaps the most beautiful hill, ever, sprouts near Sears Point Raceway.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And here, with a view of my beloved Mount Tamalpais in the distance, you can see how close to "home" the Carnaros wine growing region is. This is the southernmost part of Napa Valley, influenced by the cool fog of the Bay.

With cooler temperatures the grapes have a few extra weeks of "hang time", giving Carnaros Pinot Noir its signature "strawberry-like" fruitiness.


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