My next destination was Crescent City, with many
stops in
between. A drive north brought me to the Mayacamas Mountain Audubon
Sanctuary, which is closed to the public, but being the webmaster
for Audubon California conferred entrance to this magical Madrone /
Douglas Fir / Oak Woodland preserve. While it drizzled the whole
time, I was treated to many beautiful fog shrouded scenes and a
fairly large herd of bucks and does of the "Columbian Black-tailed" Mule Deer
subspecies.
This is a treat so often missed due to the pressures these
magnificent animals suffer from hunting. I reluctantly left the
Healdsburg area, and headed toward the McVicar Audubon Sanctuary in
Lower Lake, a late start left me nothing but dim shots of this
sanctuary. It is a 1 ½ mile hike from Anderson
Marsh State Park to the Audubon property and try as I might, I
barely got to the edge of this marsh / valley oak preserve before
night began to fall.
Nature Alley is dedicated to protecting natural communities
wherever they exist. She is involved in many scientific and
educational programs, promoting environmental appreciation and
ethics.
