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  • Online Since 2009
  • Riverside, CA

Animals

The Last Car Ride

July 11, 2021 by Ole Leave a Comment

I love our animals. We have had three dogs cross the rainbow bridge over the years. I was able to hold each one of them when they crossed. This is a little note to my Great Dane Bruce who crossed over in November 2019.

You loved jumping in the car to go for a ride. Whether it was a ride to the hills for a hike or a trip through a drive-through to get dad some food, you were always eager to come along.

You were my first dog that I raised from a puppy and my best-ever furry friend.

Even though you could barely walk, you still got up when you saw me with the leash. I remember all the times you jumped into my truck with those long Great Dane legs, but I had to lift you into the car this time. I loved watching your jowls blow in the wind as you stuck your head out the window, but you didn’t have the strength to lift your head this time.

When we arrived at the vet’s office, I think you knew. Yet you still walked in.

I’m glad I got to hold you one last time as the vet said it was time.

I hope dogs go to heaven so I can see you again.

Love you Bruce. Your family misses you.

This is Bruce. He crossed the rainbow bridge in November 2019.

Filed Under: Animals

Heat Stroke is No Joke. I learned the hard way.

July 23, 2018 by Ole Leave a Comment

I have always had a high tolerance for heat. I love to hike and enjoy the empty trails when it is too hot outside for most people. At least, I used to, until I learned about heat stroke the hard way.

I guess there’s a good reason that I haven’t seen anyone else on the “Big C” trail yet. #hikeriverside #riversideca

A post shared by Kris (@krisinriverside) on Oct 22, 2017 at 1:50pm PDT

Having said that, I did flirt with heat exhaustion once, which led to changes in my hiking preparedness…

While looking at pictures from past visits to the old Temescal tin mines to share on my website, I was reminded of one of my scariest hikes. On 8/1/17, I solo hiked out to the tin mines on a crazy hot day… up to 107 degrees per my Garmin. I used up all of my water, had no shade, and eventually completely ran out of energy. As I sat on a hill dehydrated and completely out of gas, I was genuinely nervous. Thankfully, a thunderstorm came along and saved the day. The cool weather and rain gave me a much needed second wind. This hike changed my preparation. Now, I always carry more than enough water, energy gel or granola bars, an umbrella for shade and a cell phone charger in case I get stuck and need my phone for an emergency. #hikeriverside #riversideca #lakemathews #hikeinlandempire #hiking

A post shared by Kris (@krisinriverside) on Apr 29, 2018 at 8:21pm PDT

I also have a hard head and have never lost consciousness despite taking some hard hits over the years.

It turns out that hiking in the heat and hits to the head are not my weaknesses. Stupidity is.

On July 6th, 2018, the temperature reached 117 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside. On that day, I hustled to get my work done (in my hot office) so I could leave in the early afternoon to watch my sons play water polo (in the hot sun). When we got home from the games, we entered a dark, hot house.

Yes, on the hottest day of the year our power went out.

Can’t even report our power outage. Good thing it isn’t hot. Thankful for my @johndeere generator so we can at least run some fans and keep the fridge cold. #helldegrees #highof115

A post shared by Kris (@krisinriverside) on Jul 6, 2018 at 8:40pm PDT

I scrambled to get fuel, lay out cords and set up the generator so we could run some fans, keep the refrigerator cold and watch a movie.

When I finally sat down to relax at about 9 PM, I felt a horrible pain in my abdomen. I got up to walk it off and ended up in the kitchen. The last thing I remember is reaching for a cup out of the cupboard.

The next thing I remember was my youngest son asking me if I was ok. I had passed out and was on the floor. I was probably only out for a minute.

We searched the interwebs and determined that I most likely passed out due to dehydration and the heat. Technically, I don’t know if it was due to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, but it scared the heck out of me. My wife made me drink a ton of water, gave me some ice and sat me down in front of a fan. I was fine in no time.

Looking back on that day, I realized that I drank no water all day. I drank some Diet Coke with dinner, but that was it.

In other words, I was stupid and this was completely avoidable.

The silver lining: I now drink a ton of water and have completely given up Diet Coke.

With the next heat wave starting today (Wednesday is supposed to reach 111 degrees in Riverside), make sure you take care of yourself and know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses:

From medicinenet.com:
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness vary based on the condition, but may include

  • an elevated body temperature,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • weakness,
  • dizziness,
  • fainting,
  • muscle cramps,
  • seizures,
  • confusion, and
  • coma.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be life-threatening:

From medicinenet.com:
Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. It is the most severe form of heat-related illness, and it can sometimes lead to death or permanent disability.

Also, let’s not forget our four-legged friends. Check this link for some warm weather pet safety tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

It’s getting HOT HOT HOT out and tomorrow is going to be a scorcher!!! Keep your furry friends safe with these top tips for heat pet safety! ?????? #safetyfirst #toptips #petsafety #heatstroke #toohot #highof113 #animalcare #animalwelfare #animalshelter #animalfriendsofthevalleys

A post shared by Animal Friends of the Valleys (@animalfriendsofthevalleys) on Jul 5, 2018 at 4:06pm PDT

Don’t be like me. Stay hydrated and stay cool. Water is good.

Filed Under: Animals, Animals and Nature, Health, Health and Fitness, Hiking Tagged With: heat exhaustion, heat stroke

Birds of Prey: Osprey and Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

February 6, 2018 by Ole 5 Comments

My wife spotted an osprey today at Lake Mathews, so I went back with my camera to see if I could get a few pictures. When I arrived, I saw what appeared to be a big bird on a rock in the middle of the lake, but it was too far away for my lens. After I got home and zoomed in on the pictures, I realized it was a bald eagle, not the osprey. Yes, a bald eagle at Lake Mathews.

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews
I eventually found the osprey…

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews

We saw bald eagles at Lake Mathews once before back in January 2016:

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

We saw two eagles that day, but we could only get close enough to one of them to get any decent pictures. Unfortunately, we were still too far away to get good pictures. Hopefully that will change some day.

Additional info…

Some facts about bald eagles:

Distinguished by a white head and white tail feathers, bald eagles are powerful, brown birds that may weigh 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 8 feet. Male eagles are smaller, weighing as much as 10 pounds and have a wingspan of 6 feet. […]

Bald Eagles live near rivers, lakes, and marshes where they can find fish, their staple food. Bald Eagles will also feed on waterfowl, turtles, rabbits, snakes, and other small animals and carrion. […]

Bald Eagles may live 15 to 25 years in the wild, longer in captivity.

Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Excerpts from the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act:

The Congress finds as follows:
(1) The bald eagle was designated as the national emblem of the United States on June 20, 1782, by our country’s Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress.
(2) The bald eagle is the greatest visible symbol of the spirit of freedom and democracy in the world.
(3) The bald eagle species is unique to North America and represents the American values and attributes of freedom, courage, strength, spirit, loyalty, justice, equality, democracy, quality, and excellence.

Source: American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act

Some facts about ospreys:

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus)—also known as the sea hawk, fish eagle, river hawk or fish hawk—is a large raptor, reaching more than 24 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 71 inches. As its other names suggest, the osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish—up to 99% fish. […]

The typical lifespan of an osprey is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow to as old as 20–25 years.

Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: bald eagle, lake mathews, osprey

Happy New Year! A Few Random Pictures from the First Morning of 2017

January 1, 2017 by Ole 6 Comments

The first sunrise of 2017. The view from Lake Mathews in Riverside, California.

The First Sunrise of 2017 over Lake Mathews

A seemingly fat and happy hawk overlooking “A” Street / Citrus Heights Drive in Riverside, California.

A seemingly fat and happy hawk

A seemingly fat and happy hawk

A millipede crossing “A” Street / Citrus Heights Drive in Riverside, California.

Millipede Crossing "A" Street in Riverside, CA

Hope everyone has a great 2017.

Filed Under: Animals, Sights, Uncategorized Tagged With: birds, hawk, inland empire, inland empire hiking, lake mathews, riverside california, riverside hiking, sunrise

A Morning at Fairmount Park in Riverside, CA

December 6, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

I have lived in Riverside for thirteen years, and have never visited Fairmount Park in Riverside, California.

This past weekend after I dropped my oldest son off to take the SAT, I decided to take a walk around the park. Here are a few pictures:

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

For a minute, I thought this Greylag Goose was going to charge me. He decided to pose instead.

Fairmount Park - Riverside

A bunch of coots.

Fairmount Park - Riverside

These Muscovy ducks seemed to be talking to each other.

Fairmount Park - Riverside

I didn’t walk near the tank on this visit, but I was very curious about its background. I found a page on the City’s website that provides a little bit of the history. Here is a summary:

The tank is a light amphibious tracked vehicle called the LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked). The LVTs were produced here in Riverside during World War II by the FMC Corporation. The same company also retrofitted these vehicles for use in the Korean War. The LVT was also known as the Water Buffalo.

“In 1949 a monument, complete with LVT, was dedicated to the factory war workers at Fairmount Park near the location where they had conducted testing.”

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Canadian geese.

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Fairmount Park - Riverside

Filed Under: Animals, Sights, Uncategorized Tagged With: birds, city of riverside, fairmount park, inland empire, riverside, riverside california

Squirrel vs. Cat – Riverside

December 3, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

Saw this standoff today near Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside, California:

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel vs. Cat

Squirrel 1; Cat 0.

Squirrel vs. Cat

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: animals, city of riverside, inland empire, riverside, riverside california, riverside county, rubidoux

Snowy Egret in Riverside

May 12, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

Not being a bird expert, I had no idea what kind of bright white bird flew over my truck a few days ago. After realizing it was hanging around a local storm basin that I drive past almost every day, I decided to try to get some pictures.

Snowy Egret in Riverside

After a few tries, I got some marginally decent pictures. I also consulted Google and found out that this bird is a Snowy Egret.

Snowy Egret in Riverside

The following quotes are from AllAboutBirds.org:

Snowy Egret in Riverside

“Among the most elegant of the herons, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet. Those feet seem to play a role in stirring up or herding small aquatic animals as the egret forages.”

Snowy Egret in Riverside

“Snowy Egrets wade in shallow water to spear fish and other small aquatic animals.”

Snowy Egret in Riverside

Filed Under: Animals, Uncategorized Tagged With: birds, snowy egret

Double-Crested Cormorant and Green Heron

May 4, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

Ever since we saw the bald eagles at Lake Mathews, my wife and I have been noticing birds. Here are some recent pictures of a few birds near Lake Mathews in Riverside…

Double-crested Cormorant - Riverside
Double-crested Cormorant - Riverside
Double-crested Cormorant - Riverside
Green Heron - Riverside
Green Heron - Riverside

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: birds, double-crested cormorant, green heron

Newport Dolphins

April 29, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

Tried out a new superzoom camera out at Newport a few months ago…

Dolphin at Newport

Dolphins at Newport

Birds chasing dolphins

Filed Under: Animals, Uncategorized Tagged With: birds, dolphin, newport beach

Roadrunner Sighting

April 27, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

Saw this today in Riverside.

Sorry, Mr. Lizard.

Roadrunner with a Lizard Lunch

Roadrunner with a Lizard Lunch

Roadrunner with a Lizard Lunch

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: birds, riverside, roadrunner

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