On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Winter Wren
On my most recent business trip to San Jose (California), I had planned to meet up with a friend and former colleague on the Saturday after my weekday meetings and go hiking, but she cancelled on me. So, I had the whole day free with perfect, bright, sunshiny weather (and fortunately was blissfully unaware of the latest horrors after a full week of meetings).
After an early morning of birdwatching at Don Edwards NWR, I decided to catch a mid-day whale watching trip out of Santa Cruz. I had about an hour to kill before needing to be at the boat, so I took a short drive up the coast to Wilder Ranch and hiked out to the ocean. It was my first time visiting, but I think I will be back!
The path to the ocean that I took was between a meadow on the north side (with cultivated land beyond that) and a small creek valley filled with small trees/brush on the south side.
A northern harrier was patrolling the meadow and the brush. I kept trying to get shots, hoping one would be in focus, but it was moving fast in the wind. Then it swooped down into the brush and came out with a small snake. Unfortunately, not completely in focus.
This handsome chestnut backed chickadee was in some of the small trees earlier in the walk. Puts our east coast chickadees to shame with that chestnut back. I had to add this photo to prove that I can take a bird picture in focus.
The south view from the bluff at that end of the meadow was spectacular. There is a small beach where the creek drains into the ocean in front. On this day, there was some wave activity, but not too gnarly.
When a large enough wave hit the shore, it would break over the flat rock “plateau” and these waterfalls over the edge formed. Very cool!
Heading back on the trail, looking to the Santa Cruz foothills. The rest of the ranch seemed to have some nice trails with some elevation climb through range land to the forest. Definitely want to come back and explore this park some more!
War for Ukraine Day 1,468: (Some of) You Have Questions, I (May) Have Answers
Baud
I would have accepted that first photo as my Windows XP background.
J.
Beautiful! And great photo of the chickadee.
Winter Wren
Btw, the part 2 alluded to in the title was the Santa Cruz whale watch that was posted on February 17 (I missed putting the part 2 in the title of that one, so it wasn’t clear the two were a related pair). Hopefully WaterGirl has other submissions in the queue now for tomorrow and beyond.
MCat
Thank you so much for these wonderful photos. So peaceful. We can all use more peaceful.
WaterGirl
@Winter Wren: Yeah, I kept holding your Part 2, waiting for Part 1 to come in! Sorry I didn’t catch what was happening.
It would be amazing to see the water crash into and over those rocks. So beautiful
Dmkingto
Nice photos! I’ll have to go down & check Wilder Ranch out. And that is a very handsome chickadee!
Winter Wren
@WaterGirl: No worries, my bad on the titling. Just wanted to make clear to any readers that no part 2 was coming in a future submission.
pieceofpeace
Well, now I’ve got to visit here as well. Your photos reflect all the complements heard about this place.
Winter Wren
@Baud: Still on XP? I have never settled on one on my Windows laptop, kind of enjoy a new pic each time.
Thanks, I do like a vista like that with some ocean, sky and windswept grassy fields.
Winter Wren
@J.: Thanks. I was very happy with that capture.
Mike in Pasadena
Excellent photos of a lovely place. We have added the ranch to our next driving trip north up the coast. Thanks for both photos and commentary.
DAstronomer
I’ve been living in Santa Cruz for a few years. I have to say, one of the great pleasures is being able to bike out to Wilder ranch and take the trails up into the woods. The biking is exquisite, and the views unparalleled. It almost makes the exorbitant rent prices worth it
Great pics! Thank you for sharing.
BigJimSlade
Great place and photos!
KithKanan
Greetings from Santa Cruz (at least for a few more hours before heading home)!
Very familiar with the area pictured since I grew up here and have gone hiking out that way. Swanton Berry Farm is also worth stopping at if you’re up that way on a weekend, they have delicious jams.
Winter Wren
@KithKanan: Thanks for the tip. Safe travels! I can see future (likely retired) me enjoying a leisurely coastal California road trip sometime!
El Cruzado
You’d need more time for it, but the hike uphill on Wilder Ranch is well worth it as well (more so IMHO than the cliffside one)