Park Closed

In search of my Osprey one morning, I hiked the 4 miles to Martis Lake because COVID prevented me driving the Jeep up to the Lake. It’s a nice hike along Martis creek to the tail end of the lake so I didn’t particularly mind. Besides, it was about 35 degrees out and gave me a good chance to warm up before the sun peaked over the mountains. Well, the Osprey must have gotten the message that the park was closed and decided to fish some other lake this morning so, defeated again, I proceeded to hike back to the Jeep along the creek. About a half mile out of the Jeep, I could not believe my eyes. A Meadow Lark perched on top of a pine sapling sat singing in the new morning sun. Ive been trying to photograph one of these pretty birds for 10 years now but since they typically hang out in corn fields, my chances of finding them in California were slim. And here, at 5,000 ft, he sat and sang his heart out whilst I blasted about a thousand pics.