June 2026
- lostcreekranch
- Jul 5
- 1 min read
Located as we are on the southern rim of the San Bernardino National Forest, we get a lot of wildlife visitors. This Peninsular bighorn sheep is an example. We don't see them often but it's always a thrill when we do.
One of the unexpected features of this region is the abundance of wild grapes. The bear, birds, and deer eat most of them, but there are usually a few left for us. To protect them for those freeloaders, we wrap them in organza jewelry bags so they can ripen unmolested. They are really delicious.
Summer is the season of growth and vitality, and nowhere is this more in evidence than with the explosion of flora on our ranch. It seems everything is in full bloom.
As described previously on this blog, there are quite a few feral cows along the north rim of the Coachella Valley and many come down our way to visit us. When they do, their appetites make short work of any low-lying tree limbs.
Early summer is also time for periodic equine check-ups, and we have an excellent vet who comes and makes sure all the horses are in good health.
Cactus flowers don't last very long, but they're quite spectacular for the day or two that they bloom. Insofar as they are among the favorite foods of our desert tortoises, we try to clip them while they're fresh and serve them to our slow-moving friends.
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