A Hawk and Smoke

Posted on October 29, 2003 in Biomes Creatures Hiking Weather

The only creature I saw other than tiny lizards at Whiting on my walk yesterday was a lone red-tailed hawk. It sailed over the Sage Scrub Trail which was well-gutted and grooved by the passage of trail bikers eager for a thrill. The hawk dropped a yellow payload, two long squirts and many drops, over the chaparral, then rode the heavy air over the oaks.

Visibility was about two miles. Mounts Santiago and Modjeska were invisible. The scent of the fires lessened slightly. Here it smelled like a campground. In San Bernardino, it reminded me of copal incense burning at a sacrifice.