Nature Morning

When we woke up yesterday, it felt like spring. No one needed to stay indoors for the day, so we searched out an adventure. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is in Modjeska Canyon, about 30 minutes from us. We hadn't been there in fifteen years or more, but we remembered it as a quiet outdoor place to be. The kids were willing, so off we went.

Fifteen years has brought some changes to the sanctuary. It is overseen by Cal State Fullerton and is a popular spot for school visits, etc. The site was originally the vacation home of a Los Angeles banker (named Tucker, obviously), but not much remains of the original house - the porch and the well are all that remain. The porch has been maintained as a "bird porch" with benches on the porch and a variety of feeders hanging in the trees outside it. At certain times of the year, the feeders are overrun with hummingbirds, but yesterday there were hummers, jays and a grosbeak to watch. Since I was last there, paths and bird-watching shelters have been added. The kids had a great time watching squirrels and poking around near the koi pond.

There was also a 75-year old desert tortoise and a feral cat or two. And of course there was a small museum/gift shop. The gift shop was very popular. We came home with a "tortoise egg," a ceramic owl, a hand puppet and a hummingbird patio clock (on the $5 clearance table). James made a new friend.

We started on a ranger walk, but it was getting so close to lunch time that we gave it up. Lunch at Fuddrucker's on the way home made a perfect end to the morning.

Nothing too exciting, but we were reminded that we spend a little too much time at home "getting things done." We all came home tired, but kind of refreshed. I can see going out again in the early morning just to spend some time on the bird porch with a cup of coffee. Maybe you and I can go sometime when you're down, Mom.