Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 2.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Horny Toad > Talley Valley > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 75. Sunny, slight breeze. Humid at first then drier air.
Today's hike could be entitled "There Will Be Mud". After some always welcome rain on Saturday, I started early to get sunrise photos of O.C. Fisher with morning fog (photo attached). Then I began my hike - the trails were "wet to muddy" for the entire hike. Of course with the rain, comes vegetation growth which means high, wet grass. My feet and sandals were caked in mud but seeing so many different birds made the hike enjoyable. In addition to seeing all the "usual suspects", I was pleased to see numerous Dicksissels and Nighthawks; both of which I haven't seen for some time. I also saw a Painted Bunting, a pair of Killdeer and a solitary Great Blue Heron by the reservoir - no photos attached but a couple of good photos are on my hard drive.
The flowers continue to blossom but the Indian Blankets are slowly fading; a few Mexican Hats were spotted and will soon take up the "red flower" spot at the park. More cactus blooms are on visible as well. Bee brush, always giving off a pleasant scent, are thicker and as full of buzzing bees and other insects as I've ever seen them.
The biggest bonus though was watching a female Grey Fox while I was hiking. She walked onto the trail about 20 meters in front of me, stopped and saw me. After watching for a few seconds, she walked along the trail for a bit before disappearing into a pile of junipers and cactus. I waited for her to come back out or go into a more pictureesque spot but she never did. rather than continue to wait for her, I left her in peace.
A very good hike!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade are available at various campsites parallel to portion of Roadrunner Loop. There is a toilet available at the Loop's mid-point.
