Nature and wildlife

A photo and note from neighbor Roger Brandt: "My friend Kathy and I got this picture yesterday of the three eaglets. You can see Eaglet 3 behind the stick on the right. They are getting bigger by the day." (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Big enough to walk around the nest

Paul Anderson, neighbor and photographer, took this shot the other evening on Scott Road. "Gotta enjoy the green grass while it lasts!" he writes. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about A sunset view of Scott Road

The weather killed Daffodil Hill's season this year, but who needs Daffodil Hill when we have the Pera Poppies? This explosion of orange, engineered on Pera Drive by Eleanor and Stan Hunter, is a new phenomenon. Only three years ago, the Hunters say, they removed their front lawn and went with a low-water yard, including lots of wildflowers. Eleanor gathered the seeds from her backyard poppies and concentrated the effort out front, leading to this season's glories. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Pera's poppies brighten our spring

Paul Anderson, eagle photographer par excellence, shares photos and this dispatch from Lake Clementia: "Happy to report Rancho Murieta has two large baby eagles in the nest. I was out there late Sunday. The male eagle was standing guard for most of the time I was there.  Mom flew in to the nest and shortly thereafter the male eagle flew away. Literally within two minutes of leaving the nest he flew back into the nest with dinner. I was not able to capture what he caught, but most likely a fish. Now, that’s fast food!" (Click photos to see larger images) Read more » about Domestic bliss, atop a Rancho Murieta tree

The Community Services District’s Security Committee – which includes two of the CSD’s five directors – was clear Thursday afternoon: It’s not interested in continuing the longtime practice of handling wild animals and pets in the community. Read more » Read more » about CSD panel: 'Not in animal control business'

Beth Buderus didn’t ask for this problem, but she’s willing to try to address it, even though she thinks of herself as a behind-the-scenes type – and not really a dog person.  The problem is the Community Services District’s sudden policy change 10 days ago to suspend its practice of handling animal calls. Read more » Read more » about Stepping up to help Murieta's animals

Neighbor Paul Anderson (shooter of spectacular nature photos) says he believes the community has had a blessed event. His note Sunday: "Easter eggs aren’t the only eggs getting opened today! Went by the eagle nest this morning. Mama, above, was staring at the newly hatched eaglets.  Dad, solo on branch, was definitely keeping watch in the area! This behavior is very normal when new eggs are hatched.  Could not see any heads, as the babies are very small at this stage!" (Click photos for larger images)  Read more » about Eggs hatched at eagles' nest? Could be

Neighbor Dr. Bill Day shares the photos, taken this month on the North Course, and this note: "These are a white tail hawk. Rare for this area. There are two of them keeping busy gathering sticks from a tree across the fairway from my back deck. After picking out the nest material they fly off to their future home, but they always return for a few more sticks. I was able to sit in a chair and focus them in with a long telephoto lens and patiently wait for them to settle down, but they are quite active and not very good portrait subjects. The white tail hawk has a wingspan of about 36 to 40 inches and weighs about a pound. They feed on small rodents and birds." (Click photos for larger images.) Read more » about Murieta 'Wild Kingdom' continues to grow

Photographer Paul Anderson writes, "Loving these stormy sunsets. Lake Clementia last night." And now, a break in the weather. The forecasters see a few dry days, then rain Tuesday into Thursday. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Sunset at Lake Clementia

Local organizations have issued a report about their work to improve community lakes, in particular Laguna Joaquin. The Rancho Murieta Association, Community Services District and downstream ranchers are represented in the group, which was formed in response to last July's fish kill at Laguna Joaquin. Read more » Read more » about Group reports on efforts to improve lakes