Estate secrets

Poppy Rock

Spring has a way of reminding us how important it is to stop and smell the flowers. Here on the ranch there are several places where you can do just that. The other day I took a little break from a busy day of working in the office and went for a walk, taking along my camera. There is an area hidden from site that is one of my favorite places during the spring time. My Grandpa named it Poppy Rock and it is very appropriately named.  It’s a large rock formation that poppies literally seem to be attracted to. As the poppies bloom they cascade all along the rocks, creating some very beauty scenery. Poppies are most well known for being the California state flower. They are protected by the legislature and therefore it is illegal to pick or destroy them.

While I was back at Poppy Hill taking photos and admiring the flowers all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a coyote dash through the trees. We hear them quite frequently at night but this is actually the first time that I ever saw one in person. He was quick and agile and didn’t really give me much of a second thought besides that I probably interrupted his afternoon nap. Wild animals are usually far from my mind while I’m out walking around but this is definitly the time of year to start watching out for rattlesnakes! 

Here on the estate we also have two lakes that my grandparents made when they purchased the property in the early 1950’s. Both lakes are used for irrigation purposes so we do not use water from any municipal source. In the lake are fish; bass mostly and occasionally some other feathered friends. There are several groups of geese that have settled here for the time being, sunning themselves and enjoying a little swim. Wow, it’s rough living in wine country.