Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Paul Landacre Cabin & Grounds, LA City Historic Cultural Landmark #839

 

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.    

In 2005, the City declared Paul Landacre's Cabin and grounds, at 2006 El Moran, a Cultural Historic Landmark. Landacre's work was influenced by and often depicted the neighborhood in his work.

 

Paul Landacre wrote about his life in the Echo Park hills in 1958, not so different from those who live in the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists' Tract today:

"You see, art is practiced here along with various other concerns -
pruning trees, repairing the roof, watching and feeding wildlife and so
on. Of course, other artists live on wooded hillsides, too, and so do
other people, and it must be conceded that to some of us this kind of
environment is not only valuable, but absolutely necessary - a degree of
seclusion, the life of growing things, awareness that we are a part of
nature."

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.

 

Landacre carved a petrel, his signature bird into the roof vents on each side of his house. He used the petrel as his trademark on his work, often in place of his signature.

Landacre struggled with physical disabilities most of his life. He identified with the petrel since they learn to fly by jumping off a cliff; falling into the raging sea; hurling themselves off the peaks of waves until they learn to fly. They crash into the rocks and waves, beat up, but they learn to fly.

*This post was originally published November 7, 2007, on our short-lived sister blog, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.  In an effort to connect neighbors across the 2 Freeway in our shared issues & development battles, we folded the Semi Tropic blog into the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in 2009.

LAFD Declares Red Flag Parking Restrictions Will Be In Effect Again Thursday

Photo: Corralitas Neighbor, December 5, 2017.  Tuesday, neighbors who parked on the Freeway side of Corralitas Drive, in defiance of the Red Flag Day No Parking signs, got $68 tickets.  The point of the freeway side of the street being clear on Corralitas, where vehicle  access is extremely limited, is to have consistent access for emergency vehicles while leaving the street open for neighbors to escape safely.

After first lifting Red Flag parking restrictions 8 AM today, LAFD has called a Red Flag Day for tomorrow, Thursday December 7, 2017, beginning at 8AM.  Text of the message sent:

DATE/TIME: 12/06/2017 / 03:11:53PM

SUBJECT: RED FLAG PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT

The City of Los Angeles has declared that Red Flag No Parking Restrictions to be in effect starting 8:00 AM on 12/07/2017 and will remain in effect until further notice.

For additional information please visit our website at: http://notify.lafd.org/redflag OR call 3-1-1. Thank you for your cooperation.

Note: The Call Center's operating hours are from 08:00 AM to 4:45 PM daily including weekends and holidays.

Ref:notify.lafd.org-37005

LAFD Declared Red Flag Parking Restrictions In Effect Tues, Dec 5, 2017, Until Further Notice

Photo: Diane Edwardson September 9, 2009.  LAFD declared a Red Flag Day starting at 8AM, Tuesday, December 5, 2017.  LAFD's website has become difficult to sign up for, or change how you receive notices.  Some of us, who've been signed up for alerts since the program began, got notice; others did not.  Once again, I got a call and email but not a text.  I used to receive all three. I recommend following @LAFDtalk on Twitter.

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor June 19, 2016.  The Silver Lake Fire illustrated why Corralitas Drive is a Red Flag Day No Parking street.  There is only one access road, Rosebud Ave, to about 52 homes on Corralitas Drive, a substandard Hillside Street with hairpin turns.  If you didn't drive out before the Fire Dept arrived, you could not drive off the hill.  June 19, 2017 was not a Red Flag Day.  Neighbors a half a mile away, reported 6" embers blowing past their homes.  

The recent fires in Orange County, Napa Valley and Santa Rosa were wind driven fires.

December 1, 2011, we had a major windstorm that knocked down trees, knocked out power and started a fire on Lake View Ave.  

Red Car Property Neighborhood: Signs Of The Times

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor, September 15, 2017.  Last week, LA City Fire Department began posting "No Smoking, No Discarding of Burning Objects" signs in the Hillside Area surrounding the Red Car Property and Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract (above photo at Allesandro and Rosebud - the sole vehicle entrance to the steep Semi Tropic hillside).

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor, September 15, 2017.  The municipal code sections are referenced on the signs, here seen at the site of the 2016 Silver Lake Fire at the end of Corralitas Drive.  The LAFD has the authority to place these signs in Hillside Areas. 

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor, September 15, 2017.  While brush may be cleared in many of the areas now, brush is often often dry for months before it is cleared.   Neighbors who've seen the same signs all over the Hollywood Hills for decades, noted their more recent proliferation in Beachwood Canyon and requested the signs for our neighborhood.  Several neighbors provided a list of suggested locations to the LAFD fire marshal overseeing the placement of the signs.

Photo: Jay Lieske, September 23, 2017.  Indeed, the fire marshal compared parts of our  neighborhood to neighborhoods in the Hollywood Hills.  We have many isolated areas like this one on Adelbert, right up against brush areas on narrow winding Hillside streets with no through traffic, in addition to public staircases and paper streets that are hidden and open to the Red Car Property.

Neighbors welcomed the signs as a reminder we live in a tinder dry hillside neighborhood.  Neighbors hope the signs get the attention of smokers who carelessly discard their cigarettes in dry brush areas.  At least one neighbor documented discarded cigarettes in parts of the neighborhood in the request for signs.  Neighbors noted areas where partying, homeless camps and squatter houses have attracted problems.  

I've asked for these signs for 25 years.  I'm grateful to the Red Car Property Neighbor who was able to devote time and energy into spearheading this project to making it a reality. 

Red Car Property Neighborhood: There's Nothing Scarier On The 4th Of July Than Hipsters With Fireworks*

*Post originally published July 2, 2014.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 4, 2013.  That giant airborne explosion is not a professional fireworks show, but illegal fireworks shot off by some idiot on the south (Silver Lake & Elysian Heights) side of the 5 Freeway, close to Corralitas Drive.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

It seems every year we see more people shooting off illegal fireworks in the hills.  You can hear the gunpowder raining down on your roof, patios & trees - as I witnessed on Corralitas a couple years ago.  That same year, another neighbor was dumbstruck when he saw drunken hipsters shooting off similar fireworks way up on top of Micheltorena.  

ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, UNLESS THEY ARE IN A PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS SHOW.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 27, 2014.  The dying Eucalyptus tree is still hanging above Red Car Canyon today.  (APN 5440-030-033)  

In fact, only 2 of the dozen or so dead and dying Eucalyptus we highlighted in May trees were significantly trimmed back.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 27, 2014.  The dead weeds are taller than the allowed 3" within 100' of homes. 

Links: LAFD Brush Clearance Unit
All our brush clearance posts

LAPD and LAFD are telling people, if you see someone shooting off fireworks, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD. If you see smoke, safely investigate.  If you see fire (not a BBQ) call 911.

Reminder: Keep A Fire Lane Open*

*Post originally published July 2, 2015.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 4, 2014. Last October's fire on the slope between Lake View Ave and the Red Car Property (caused by a blown transformer), showed just how tricky it is for the LAFD to navigate our narrow winding streets.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Luckily, there was no wind and the damage was confined to the brush on a slope where homeowners had done their brush clearance.  A lot of neighbors on Lake View got a wake up call about the importance of keeping a lane of traffic open for emergency vehicles.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 4, 2014.  Most neighbors on this part of Lake View already  took brush clearance and tree trimming seriously. 

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, August 13, 2010.  Riverside Place is one of the narrowest streets in the neighborhood.  Many of our streets have only one access point.  It's not just the 4th of July when we need to keep a lane of traffic open to for emergency vehicles, but all year round.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 22, 2012.  LAFD Company 56 is our local fire station and they are about the only crew with a small truck who really know the intricacies of our often substandard hillside streets, as seen above on Peru and Walcott in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists Tract. 

Some of our narrow streets and "corners" have hairpin turns and steep grades and only one means of access.  Don't block the street because you couldn't walk a few hundred feet.  If it's too far for you to walk, it might be time for you to clean out your garage and park in it.   

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 12, 2015.  The short end of Corralitas is the widest and flattest part of the street.  It's also only part of the street where people can park cars on both sides. 

A few minutes before the above photo, I watched as a LAFD ladder truck, responding to the same call, made several attempts at a left turn from Rosebud onto Corralitas.  It could not make the turn.  This compact fire engine LAFD 220 was already on scene of the car accident.

Since record drought and 4th of July fireworks (that started in May) have hillside homeowners a little more on edge than usual this year, we remind you to take responsibility for your own neighborhood, beyond just doing your own brush clearance.  

If you see someone blocking the street, fire hydrant or red curb, politely ask them not to park there.  If they're "unloading their car," offer to help them, so they feel compelled to move their car faster.  If you're having a party, ask your guests to carpool, wear walking shoes, park legally and don't block anyone's driveway.  We actually a sign on our front door for parties "Did you park legally? Are you blocking neighbor's driveways?"  Inevitably, a handful of people turn around and move their cars before coming in the door.  

LAPD and LAFD are telling people, if you see someone shooting off fireworks, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD. If you see smoke, safely investigate.  If you see fire (not a BBQ) call 911.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Dead Trees, Brush Clearance

Photo: Corralitas Drive Neighbor, June 13, 2017.  Dry grass on the odd slope on Allesandro St at Rosebud Ave which is actually Sunflower Ave, but the maps are out of sync with the street signs.  (click on photos to enlarge.)

The odd slope is within the CalTrans easement, but like everything surrounding the 2 Freeway, no one takes responsibility for it. More than once in 27 years,  I've seen a CalTrans crew spray the weeds with poison.

Photo: Corralitas Drive Neighbor, June 13, 2017.  Enlarged from previous photo.  Dead Eucalyptus are in the Modjeska Street right-of-way, a paper street, on an  extremely steep slope in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.  Looks like the Modjeska slope is in need of brush clearance too.  The City will never build  40' wide Modjeska Street right-of-way, as it is steeper than a 30% grade.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 22, 2016.  A year ago, the dead non-native Eucalyptus in the Modjeska paper street, were clearly evident as viewed from Corralitas Drive.  Eucalyptus trees all over the area have been dying suddenly for the past 4 years.  The Modjeska trees have been dead for more than a year.

Every year on and around the 4th of July, some idiots invariably shoot fireworks off over the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.

Allesandro Street, 2 Freeway: Motor Homes, Dumping, Unwalkable Sidewalk, Dry Brush

Photo: Corralitas Neighbor, May 11, 2017, 7 PM.  Two motor homes without license plates have been parked on Allesandro Street just south of Rosebud Ave, attracting dumping.(Click on photo to enlarge.)

This portion of Allesandro to Riverside Drive was a part of a "No Overnight Parking Zone," but the signs directly across from the controversial Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract 15-lot subdivision mysteriously disappeared when it was under construction.

Neither the City nor CalTrans takes care of the sidewalk adjacent to the 2 Freeway.  But then, it's not a real sidewalk, despite the City building ADA compliant ramps at all the intersections on Allesandro in the 1990s.  It's still a narrow strip of asphalt in a curb.  The lack of street addresses prevent all but the most persistent neighbors from getting dumping removed by the City.  Weeds, trash, dumping and telephone poles blocking the extremely narrow sidewalk are a challenge for any pedestrian.

CalTrans insists the "sidewalks" adjacent their freeways are the City's responsibility.  If homeowners are supposed to maintain the sidewalk adjacent to their homes, shouldn't CalTrans have the same responsibility? 

Wonder if CalTrans will be doing the brush clearance up on their parkway since it can no longer be seen from the northbound 2 Freeway due to the sound wall.

2 Freeway: CalTrans Butchers Trees, Leaves Piles Of Trash

Photo: Gary Vlahakis, August 15, 2016.  CalTrans began cutting down Brazilian Pepper Trees on the northbound lanes of the 2 Freeway that were NOT burned by the Silver Lake Fire on June 19, 2016, yet left the load of trash on the slope.  For scale - that retaining wall along Allesandro Street is about 6 feet tall.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

It should come as no surprise that CalTrans removed the trees northeast of the Rosebud Overpass at Allesandro.  I had to call their government relations flak shortly after the fire to ensure he was aware the giant tree where the Red Tail Hawks nest (the first large tree on the left) was not even scorched in the fire.  At the time,  he was not sure if the tree was destined for removal.  Trees were evaluated by CalTrans tree experts and biologists. 

A month ago, the CalTrans rep told me they would be removing trees that were a danger to their roads and drivers.  They are not in the landscape business, it is not their job to make make it attractive for neighbors.  (Mitigations for living next to a freeway be damned.)  In the past few weeks, neighbors alerted the tree removal crews to the longstanding hawk nest as well.

Photo: Gary Vlahakis, August 15, 2016.  If you look closely in this section alone, there appear to be at least 3 clumps of Brazilian Pepper Trees removed.  As of today, the trash was still there.  We don't know what was under the sawdust.  

CalTrans will not be planting new trees. 

August 22, 2016, UPDATE: A neighbor forwarded a service request sent to CalTrans to pick up the trash on the 2 Freeway.  You can file service requests on CalTrans' website.

18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Sand Fire

Photo: Esteban Gonzalez, July 22, 2016. Friday afternoon, smoke and ash from the Sand Fire in Santa Clarita became the dominant feature in our air quality, growing worse overnight.

Most people don't realize the vacant lot at the northern terminus of Echo Park Ave is a part of Elysian Park.  The "18 Acre Parcel" continues downslope in both directions, preserves native oak and walnut habitat and includes a basketball court on Riverside Drive.  The parcel, like much of Elysian Park, is directly surrounded by diverse residential neighborhoods, including Elysian Valley, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and Elysian Heights.  It was acquired by the City in the late 1990s using Prop K funds.  

Rosebud Ave: Moved For Freeway Construction, 1961

Photo: Smith, 1961.  Prior to freeway construction, Rosebud Ave used to go straight across from Corralitas Drive, cross Allesandro and up the Semi Tropic Spiritualists Tract.  They created a dogleg (to ease the steep rise in Rosebud) from Allesandro to Rosebud and Sunflower on the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract side of the 2 Freeway. 

On the Corralitas side (this vantage point), Rosebud was moved a couple hundred feet south (to the right), where Rosebud presently crosses under the 2 Freeway, ending at the Corralitas Public Staircase.

It's difficult to match this shot today because of the trees on the 2 Freeway (foreground) and homes on Corralitas Drive. The 5 Freeway (on the left) is also under construction on the left side of this photo.  

Click here for all the 2 Freeway History related posts.

Citywide: Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance Update, Public Hearing Tonight

Photo: Diane Edwardson, November 6, 2014.  That's the controversial 15-home small lot subdivision in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, not an office park in Orange County.  It was built on green field, not in-fill.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The City is updating the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance and design standards for new small lot subdivisions over 20 units.  They're also attempting to incentivize conversion of existing bungalow courts into for sale homes (which is a good thing), rather than tearing them down to build a huge dense development that's out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.

Unfortunately, there's nothing specific to Hillside areas, nor restrictions on green field development.  There is, however, a badly needed requirement for shared trash bins.  The access roads and shared driveways do not appear wide enough for Hillside fire requirements of 20' and should be reconsidered. 

There's also a few references to specific sections of the LA Municipal Code without outlining what they govern.  So we've yet to review all the changes proposed in the ordinance.  As always, the devil is in the details.  Go to the open house and ask questions!

Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance Update 

TONIGHT, January 26, 2016 

Open House: 5:30 - 7 PM

Public Hearing: 7 PM

Grace Simons Lodge

1025 Elysian Park Drive

Elysian Park, 90012

Case #s:
CPC-2015-4499-CA
ENV-2015-4500-CE
Comments in writing will be accepted until February 26, 2016.  See the City Planning website for a host of information.

Reminder: Keep A Fire Lane Open

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 4, 2014. Last October's fire on the slope between Lake View Ave and the Red Car Property (caused by a blown transformer), showed just how tricky it is for the LAFD to navigate our narrow winding streets.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Luckily, there was no wind and the damage was confined to the brush on a slope where homeowners had done their brush clearance.  A lot of neighbors on Lake View got a wake up call about the importance of keeping a lane of traffic open for emergency vehicles.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 4, 2014.  Most neighbors on this part of Lake View already  took brush clearance and tree trimming seriously. 

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, August 13, 2010.  Riverside Place is one of the narrowest streets in the neighborhood.  Many of our streets have only one access point.  It's not just the 4th of July when we need to keep a lane of traffic open to for emergency vehicles, but all year round.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 22, 2012.  LAFD Company 56 is our local fire station and they are about the only crew with a small truck who really know the intricacies of our often substandard hillside streets, as seen above on Peru and Walcott in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists Tract. 

Some of our narrow streets and "corners" have hairpin turns and steep grades and only one means of access.  Don't block the street because you couldn't walk a few hundred feet.  If it's too far for you to walk, it might be time for you to clean out your garage and park in it.   

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 12, 2015.  The short end of Corralitas is the widest and flattest part of the street.  It's also only part of the street where people can park cars on both sides. 

A few minutes before the above photo, I watched as a LAFD ladder truck, responding to the same call, made several attempts at a left turn from Rosebud onto Corralitas.  It could not make the turn.  This compact fire engine LAFD 220 was already on scene of the car accident.

Since record drought and 4th of July fireworks (that started in May) have hillside homeowners a little more on edge than usual this year, we remind you to take responsibility for your own neighborhood, beyond just doing your own brush clearance.  

If you see someone blocking the street, fire hydrant or red curb, politely ask them not to park there.  If they're "unloading their car," offer to help them, so they feel compelled to move their car faster.  If you're having a party, ask your guests to carpool, wear walking shoes, park legally and don't block anyone's driveway.  We actually a sign on our front door for parties "Did you park legally? Are you blocking neighbor's driveways?"  Inevitably, a handful of people turn around and move their cars before coming in the door.  

LAPD is telling people if you see someone shooting off fireworks, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD. 

4th Of July Fireworks Started In Early May

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 4, 2014.  Fireworks over the 5 Freeway, shot from Corralitas Drive.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

We've said it before.  There's nothing scarier than drunken idiots shooting off fireworks in the hills.  The 4th year of record drought has neighbors more nervous than usual about July 4th.  We've been hearing fireworks in Elysian Valley since early May.  I've been getting an increasing number of emails about it every week.  

One  Corralitas Drive neighbor suspected neighbors of shooting fireworks off on Sunday night.  Another neighbor was concerned enough to walk around the hill to find the source, which appears to have been Elysian Valley, near the river.  

My advice for pinpointing the source when you think fireworks are nearby: GO OUTSIDE. Walk around.  Listen.  If you hear a "whoosh" as the rocket zooms up into the sky before it  explodes, it's close.  If you can identify the source/address of where the fireworks are being set off, call 911.  Tell them it's a hillside neighborhood with lots of dry brush and you are concerned about fire. 

Or if you know the neighbor, respectfully ask them to stop.  Make them aware that fireworks are illegal and that they are putting the entire neighborhood at risk for fire.

If you haven't already, clear brush, trim dry tree branches, dispose of piles of dry vegetation and flammable debris, take down umbrellas and other shade fabrics before it gets dark on the 4th.

Every year we see fireworks coming from the hills in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and 18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel.  This is in addition to what we can see across the river in hills of  Glassell Park, Mt Washington, Lincoln Heights and Baldwin Hills.  Of course, the main illegal show is along the entire footprint and both sides of the LA River.  

ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, unless a part of a licensed professional fireworks show.  See a list of fireworks shows put out by LA City & County Fire Depts: www.SafeJuly4th.org

Historic Landmark Landacre Cabin & Grounds: Big Parade LA Walking By Today

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.  Preeminent 20th Century wood-block print artist carved a petrel, his signature bird into the eaves of his cabin in Elysian Heights hidden in the oak trees in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract where he lived from 1925 to 1963.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The City declared Landacre's cabin and grounds a cultural historic landmark in 2005.  Landacre took inspiration from what was a spiritual place neighborhood with dramatic light.  Sadly much of the character of the community fell to a developer's chainsaws and bulldozers in 2011-2013.  Now the tree filled hillside from which Landacre drew inspiration now has an Orange County office park aesthetic.  

The Big Parade LA is the epic urban hike from Hike from Downtown to Hollywood featuring 32 miles and  86 public staircases. It's free, fun and festive.  Join for a few miles, staircases, a day or both days. Info, routes and everything you need to know about the Big Parade: http://bigparadela.tumblr.com/

Corralitas Drive: We've Been Through Grading Hell Before

Photo: Kleven, 1960.  Corralitas Drive used to have a secondary outlet to the south on Allesandro Street between Whitmore and Walcott, past modest homes with grassy front yards, where children played beneath large shade trees.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Photo: Kleven, 1961.  Within a year, homes were removed (some were moved to other parts of the neighborhood),  trees cut down and the State moved countless thousands of cubic yards of earth from the Red Car Property and other area vacant hillside lots to grade for the 2 & 5 Freeways. 

We've looked at the  photographic history of 2 Freeway through our neighborhood primarily through unique images contributed by long time neighbors of the Red Car Property.  Click here for all our 2 Freeway History posts.
 

SR-2 Freeway: We're On Hawkwatch

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 24, 2015, 11:59 AM.  I observed one of the hawks flying in and out of the nest a few times around noon today. Other than that the adults were scarce today.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Last night CalTrans was working from at least 9 PM to well after 1 AM, 50 to 75 feet from the tree where the Red Tailed Hawks are nesting.  I got a call from Peter Jones, the PR guy from CalTrans, first thing this morning.  He said a couple of biologists would be in the area to observe and make recommendations regarding the nesting hawks.  (Shouldn't that have happened yesterday, especially after our conversation, Wednesday?)

I told Jones where CalTrans worked last night, pointed out the photo I posted early this morning, and said I had not yet seen the hawks today.  It's not unusual for the adults to be away from the nest hunting when they've got chicks to feed.  However, this is a new pair of adults hawks using the nest this year, so we are concerned about construction noise and light spooking them.

Around noon, I saw one of the adults fly in and out of the nest a couple of times.  It walked around the edge, looking into the center, but exhibited no feeding behavior.  When it left the nest, it flew to a tree in between the north and southbound lanes of the 2 Freeway where it likely could keep an eye on the nest.  It was very aware that I was watching through binoculars.  When I would put the binoculars down, it would fly back to the nest.  When it realized I was watching it in the nest again, making eye contact with me, it would fly to the nearby tree, trying to distract me from the nest.  I put the binoculars away after 10 minutes to not stress the hawk further. 

SR-2 Freeway: So Much For That Buffer Zone For The Nesting Raptors

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 24, 2015, 10:09 PM.  That construction zone is 50' from the tree with the nest in it.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Sure looks like that 10' tall sound wall is going to Rosebud.  Every meeting for the past two years CalTrans and Metro representatives were vague about where exactly the wall was ending - El Moran or Rosebud.  Tell the truth when asked a direct question. Don't waste our time.   And they wonder why people get angry.

According to the conversation I had Wednesday, with Peter Jones and Patrick Chandler from CalTrans, they would not be cutting down any more trees for the sound walls between Oak Glen and Rosebud on the northbound side of the 2 Freeway. 

We'll be watching.  

We've written far too much about the sound walls.  Click here for all of it.

 

SR-2 Freeway: Nesting Hawks Are Watching Us Too

Photo: Gary Vlahakis, April 23, 2015.  All day long, both adult Red Tails were flying in and out of the nest, tearing strips of meat off of a prey animal, appearing to feed babies in the nest.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Just before noon, both Gary & I were shooting photos from our respective houses, texting each other, and managed to capture images of the hawks moments apart.  In Gary's photo (above), both hawks are looking in my direction. Yes, they are that observant.  Through years of observing our neighborhood hawks, I've learned, during nesting season, they are very alert to us when we are watching the nest through long camera lenses or binoculars.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 23, 2015, 11:54 AM.  Seconds after Gary shot the first photograph, I managed to catch the smaller of the two Red Tails taking off from the branch it was standing on. 

Unfortunately, the hazy weather, distance and wind blowing the Eucalyptus makes getting a sharp photo from Corralitas difficult.  

We've also noticed this is a new pair of Red Tailed Hawks using the nest.  The old pair who'd used the nest for many years were very vocal, announcing their presence constantly.  They kept such a routine schedule, you could set your watch by them.  The current pair is very quiet, almost as if they don't want the old pair to return and find them there.  
 

SR-2 Freeway: Active Raptor Nest At Rosebud Ave, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract

*UPDATE at end of post

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 21, 2015, 5:34 PM.  Late yesterday, I witnessed a large Red Tailed Hawk appear to feed her chicks in the well-documented nest, high above Allesandro St and Rosebud Ave on the SR-2 Northbound Parkway.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Yesterday, CalTrans sent out a press release, they would be starting night work on the northbound sound walls between Oak Glen and Rosebud, Thursday, April 23, 2015.  CalTrans stays up to 1000' from raptor nests.  So we've sent this post to their public affairs manager for the SR-2 Terminus Project, Peter Jones, as well as State and local electeds.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2015, 1:40PM. This afternoon, I happened to look out the window and notice the adult Red Tail was feeding chicks again.  I shot photos for about 10 minutes.  

Ordinarily, I would wait to run better photos.  With construction starting tomorrow, it was better to run these today, Earth Day.  

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2015, 1:41 PM.  I've seen a couple of white blobs periodically while she's feeding them, but no definitive head count yet.  It usually takes a few days before we see them all.  Lighting and wind conditions have not been ideal for my sad little camera.

*UPDATE 6:15 PM: Peter Jones, CalTrans Public Affairs Manager for the SR-2 Terminus Project, called to say CalTrans would be complying with all State and Federal statutes with regard to migratory and nesting birds.  They are aware of this nesting site and have forwarded the information to the biologist assigned to the project.  The biologist will monitor and make recommendations.  

Read more about CalTrans policy on nesting birds: CalTrans District 7 Blog