Cuttings Wharf Rd. - Route 121, Aug. 2, 2010

Walking Distance: 3.5 mi. (1.3 mi. + 2.2 mi.; 2 segments)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (2:13 - 2:36 p.m.; and 2:50 - 3:52 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved side of Cuttings Wharf Road, Napa, CA

This afternoon I walked the upper (northern-most) part of Cuttings Wharf Road, in Napa. Along the way, I passed by vineyards, a "Pet Resort," a few horses and ponies in a pasture, and some abandoned buildings near the intersection of Cuttings Wharf and Route/Highway 121. It was a pleasant day for the beginning of August. Thankfully, it has been a relatively cool summer so far.

All was rosy until I saw the owl...

A note about roadkill: Unfortunately, walking along busy roads with lots of fast-moving cars means seeing dead birds and animals occasionally. This afternoon, I spotted a recently deceased barn owl. It was a sad sight, but a beautiful bird; so I'm making an exception and I'm including a picture here. A good reminder to drive carefully if possible.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 13 butterflies (11 white); 5 dragonflies; 2 mockingbirds; many blurs in the grass/bushes (probably lizards); 2 horses and 2 ponies; 1 crow; 1 turkey vulture; 2 lizards; 1 barn owl (deceased).