Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Waves

 

Wind Waves in the Clouds

With triple-digit temperatures again in the forecast for Yosemite Valley, it occurs to me that heat waves are probably the only waves I don't much care for. I was reading this morning that it's becoming nearly impossible for PCT hikers to complete the whole trail in one season because of wildfires along the trail. Add to that the issue of backpacking in serious heat, and it makes me wonder how much of that epic hike along the spine of the Sierra is actually enjoyable. 

As for me, I'm hoping for some slightly less-scorching days next week to do a little day-hiking and photography up there, but the forecast isn't promising.


A few of the brown pelicans resting on Seal Rocks got a rude surprise when a few sneaker waves plowed through.


There were quite a few recreational fishers in boats just south of Seal Rocks, but I have yet to see the pelicans take an interest in whatever fish are out there.


There's a helicopter on the beach in the distance. The fire and rescue folks were doing some training in the surf.


Flyin' High


A western gull makes some noise atop the Cliff House.


The Hidden Garden Steps foxglove is still blooming nicely.


Here's the foxglove on 7/31, with new blossoms opening up near the base of the plant. This is one tenacious digitalis.


By 8/20, the main stalk had been knocked over (it was fine up to last week), but the plant keeps producing flowers. I gathered a few of the fruits and planted them in our garden, in the probably vain hope that they will somehow elude the raccoons, squirrels, and birds that are often digging around back there.


The last bloom is about to fall off this tough old foxglove plant on 9/3. Not bad for a plant that somehow sprouted from a crack in a cement gutter.


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