Wow, guess what I saw today at Santa Susana? A Turkey Vulture! He was just standing there, right in the middle of the trail, about a quarter mile into the park. I came around a bend and there he was, about fifteen feet away. I didn't know what he was at first, but could see he was a lot bigger than a hawk. And, he was black (hawks here are red). Then I noticed his bald head and long beak, and I thought "he's gotta be some kind of vulture or buzzard". He just kept standing there, so I held my position and slowly got my camera out. He let me take pictures for about two minutes before he finally flew away. His wingspan was about six feet, biggest bird I've ever seen in flight. He circled the area directly above me, going around three or four times, and I felt like a character in a Western movie, where the vultures are hovering over the man stranded in the desert. It was super hot today, 105 degrees, so maybe he came to the park expecting that, haha.
But it was so cool, an actual vulture! I've never seen one before, and now that I think about it, he's never seen me before either. It's kinda like the deal with Dave Grohl a couple weeks ago - I walked past his studio looking for him, but he probably walks past my apartment, too, looking for me. But I wonder if Grohl has ever seen a Turkey Vulture? Next time he walks by, I'll ask him.
Well anyhow, I got some good pictures of him (the vulture, not Grohl), and Elizabeth, that's a good reason for you to unblock me on Facebook. :):) I'm guessing you can't see my FB now, but if you unblock me, then you can see my photo of the vulture. And, you'll be able to see all my photos in the future, too. :):) (plus we can be Facebook friends again).
Tomorrow is supposed to be mega hot, like 112 or so, and then Sunday is supposed to be a rip-roasting 117. Dunno if I'll get out on any hikes, but you never know.
I've been reading a book called "Norco '80" by Peter Houlahan, the story of an infamous bank robbery in the town of Norco in Riverside County, about 75 miles from here. The robbery turned into a shootout that was so violent and one sided, in favor of the criminals, that it changed the way police armed themselves forever after. I first heard of the book when the Daily News began publishing excerpts last May. Reading them caused me to think back, and I thought, "oh yeah, I remember that case". I only vaguely remembered it, because it was 40 years ago, and it happened in another county, and I was twenty at the time, and fully immersed in my youth, but when I concentrated on the name of the town - "Norco", a somewhat catchy name - then I remembered. And it was horrible. Here in Los Angeles, we had another godawful bank robbery/shootout in 1997, known as the North Hollywood Shootout. That one was broadcast live on TV, and it remains legendary to this day. But in reading about Norco, it was far, far worse. I am a True Crime reader, and this is one of the worst things I've ever read about. But it's a page turner, and also one of the best True Crime books I've ever read.
Musicwise, tonight I listened to "The Power and The Glory" by Gentle Giant. Last night was Triptykon's "Requiem : Live at Roadburn", performed with an orchestra.
I hope you had a good day Elizabeth. I love you and will see you in the morning. I'll make breakfast!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo :):)
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