Mom and I finally made the trip to the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms on Saturday, and boy, what a treat – row upon row of brilliant lavender buzzing with happy bees, the scent filling the air and the mountain rising up over the Shasta Valley beyond. We went the in afternoon, when it was hot, but the lavender lemonade in the villa was quite refreshing. When we arrived the Farm was also buzzing with people - some where sitting at shaded tables outside the villa, others were set up in the rows with tripods and cameras in photographic bliss, while a few painters had staked out spots in the field where they were committing the scene to canvas. We saw folks walking the new Lavender Labyrinth, and wandering the rows looking for the perfect stems to take home. The farm is open for just one month a year - from mid June to mid July, when the public can come out and enjoy the setting and cut their own stems. You can get 100 stems for $3, as well as the many treats available in the villa. We came home with the lovely lavender-lemon cookies baked by Ms. Lynn’s Tea in Montague.
The farm is open daily from 9am to 4pm (try to go in the morning if it’s going to be a hot day). It’s located off Highway 97 - turn west onto A-12, then look for the signs. This year the farm is open until July 19th, so get out there while you can.
Welcome to Kisling’s Corner: This week’s topic is eagle identification.
Eagle identification is not always easy. If all bald eagles looked as they do when they reach adulthood, identifying eagles would be much simpler, unfortunately, that is not the case. All raptors go through a time when their plumage differs from their adult plumage. This does have the benefit of saving young birds from adults of the same species who might look upon them as sexual rivals, but it presents some problems for those of us who are trying to identify them.
Both golden and bald eagles require at least four years to attain adult plumage, with five years being the norm. Any good field guide can point out the subtle plumage difference between these two species, but there are a few things that field guides rarely cover. If I see a brownish eagle, I first look at the size of the head. On occasion, a golden eagle may appear to have a normal sized head for a bird its size, but most often, it appears that the head is a bit small for such a large bird. If you see a small group of eagles and there is an adult bald eagle among them, check the head size of the brown eagles near it. If they all appear to have a head about the same size of the adult bald, they are all young bald eagles.
Since bald eagles have a larger head and beak than do golden eagles, they also have a different head to tail ratio then goldens. When seen in flight, bald eagles have a tail projection that is about one and a half times the head projection whereas golden eagles have a tail projection that is two to two and a half times longer than the head projection. If this seem a bit hard for you to absorb, I can make remembering it easier. It is the bald eagle that has the big head and who wouldn’t get a big head if they were the national bird? That may sound a bit silly, but it does make it easy to remember.
There are a few other differences between the species that may be of help when the lighting is not good. Bald eagles hold their wings fairly flat when soaring while golden eagles fly with their wings held up in a shallow V that resembles the way turkey vultures fly, except that vultures are always tilting side to side and eagles only do so when it is very windy. One other difference between the two eagle species is something I have never seen in print, but it works. If you see an eagle fly a long distance and it flaps continuously, it is certainly a bald eagle. Golden eagles may flap for a bit, but a large part of their flight consists of soaring. A bald may also flap a while and then soar, so be careful, since both species flap and soar. It’s only when the flapping goes on for long while that you may be confident it is a bald eagle.
Questions, comments? Kiss@cot.net
Charlotte, Thanks for the insight that only comes from years of experience. I would add that Charlotte’s neck of the woods - the Dorris and Tulelake area - is a hot spot for eagle sightings, especially in the winter and early spring. You can learn more by visiting the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge website. The website provides a seasonal list of birds you expect to see, no matter when you’re planning a visit. Summer time means waterfowl and marsh birds, early morning expeditions on the driving tours and spending the hot afternoons in the cool caves at Lava Beds National Monument, which borders the Tule Lake Refuge.
Thanks again,
Renee
Mt. Shasta’s big 3-day celebration w/ the famous Fun Run & Walk
July 2nd, 3rd & 4th, Thursday, Friday & Saturday — Mt. Shasta
Three days of fun and excitement in downtown Mt. Shasta with the street fair and live music Thursday and Friday, and the big event on kicking off Saturday at 8:30am (sharp!) - the 4th of July Fun Run & Walk. Food, arts & crafts, music, kid’s area with Siskiyou Arts Bus and entertainment on Mt. Shasta Blvd and Castle St Thursday and Friday. Then on Saturday Mt. Shasta Blvd is cleared of street vendors and the Mt. Runners Fun Walk/Run begins at 8:30 am. At 11:00 the awards for the race are presented, followed by the prize drawing, including the Grand Prize of a 2009 Nissan Versa! Sign up for the Walk/Run and you are entered to win. Stay downtown for the July 4th Parade. Then head down to the Mt. Shasta Resort for an evening of fun, food, entertainment and our big, beautiful Fireworks Show!! For info call the Mt. Shasta Visitors Bureau at 530-926-4865, or stop in to pick up a schedule at 300 Pine St.
July 5th, Sunday — Mt. Shasta
Renowned multi-instrumentalist David Lindley headlines a Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce benefit concert at the Mt. Shasta Community Building, 629 Alder St. A fine selection of gourmet meals, desserts and drinks will be available beginning at 5 pm. Show starts at 6 pm. Tickets are $25. Children 16 and under get in free with paid adult. Tickets available at Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce, Village Books or by calling 530-918-4804.
Butte Valley Old-Fashioned 4th of July
Dorris, July 4th
Dorris will hold its Fourth of July parade down 3rd Street around 10am, with the climax of the parade coming when Butte Valley youth and community members carry a 30’ by 60’ American Flag, which covers the entire width of the street. The flag will then be rededicated and raised slowly to the top of the 200-plus-foot pole.
The “Freedom Bell” will then ring in commemoration of the event and of the 13 original states, and soon afterwards there will be an F-15 jet fly-over.
Following the flag raising ceremonies, the Dorris Lions Club invites everyone to its 51st annual barbecue at the Dorris Little League Complex, featuring Prather Ranch ribs. The Dorris Lions Club is also planning this year to bring back its world famous barbecue beef, which is donated this year by 4 C Cattle Company of Macdoel. Many of the events are youth-centered, including a youth fishing derby stocked with Rainbow Trout and plenty of supplies to get the kids involved. The Lions Club is also hosting a competition turkey shoot and possibly some shooting demonstrations, which will be held in the community park at the base of Dorris Hill. The Dorris Lions are selling raffle tickets for a 30.06 with a 3”x 9” scope. Raffle tickets are being sold at the Dorris Hardware Store. The Butte Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual auction that day as well.
For more information, contact the Dorris City Hall at (530) 397-3511.
Shasta Salute to America
Tulelake, July 3rd-5th
This major bike rally celebrates the nation’s military and “freedom to ride”. Hosted by the Tulelake Butte Valley Fairgrounds, the rally includes live entertainment, a poker run, ladies’ fashion show, bike games, a stunt show and family day on Sunday (you’ve got to be 18 or over to attend Friday & Saturday). Sunday includes the Blessing of the Bikes and the Ride of Honor, as well as a stunt show. If you’re on a bike, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a number of beautiful rides in the Tulelake/Dorris area. Also be sure to check out the local history museum at the fairgrounds.
Yreka Parade and Concerts
Yreka, July 4th
Yreka will host its annual parade, which starts at 11 am in downtown Yreka (Miner and Oregon are great streets to watch from). The concert will start at noon just up the street at the shady Miner Street Park. 4 Square Church Band, Tulsa, and Gimme Shelter will play until 6pm. There will be some food vendors at the park and activities to keep the little ones busy.
Then at 7 pm racing, followed by the Fireworks Spectacular, starts at Yreka Motor Speedway at the Fairgrounds. Watch Mini Stocks, Super 4’s, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks & Modifieds tear around the track. For more info about racing call 530-598-1656 or visit www.scmaspeedway.com. Then, once it gets plenty dark, the fireworks will start.
The 2009 Scott Valley Bank Concerts in the Parks Series:
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Housecats 
Rock n Roll
Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant • Law Office of Darrin W. Mercier • Medical Center Pharmacy & Compounding/MC Medical Equipment
Friday, June 19 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Cheeseburgers Shrimpboat Rock
McDonald’s of Yreka & Weed • Black’s Home Furnishings • Simas’ Green Thumb Landscapes/Ernie Rizzardo Landscaping
Friday, June 26 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
Tempest Celtic Rock
Etna Brewing Company • Edward Jones • West Coast Paving and Chip Sealing
Friday, July 3 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
5 a.m. Original Rock
Shasta Forest Products, Inc. • Sears, Yreka • Hanon’s Floors
Friday, July 10 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Essentials Funk, R&B
Weed Building Supply, Inc. • Bruce Riger, MD • ABY Petro, Inc./Yreka Valero
Friday, July 24 • 6:30 P.M.• Miner Street Park, Yreka
One Horse Shy Americana/Country Rock
Les Schwab Tire • Alpine Business Equipment • Gold Nugget Printing
Friday, July 31 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
Gimme Shelter Classic Rock
SPECIAL for Children - this concert only - all aboard the Siskiyou Arts Council Mobile Art Studio
John Durney, DDS, Inc.- A Family Dentist • Girdner Funeral Chapel • Yreka Paint & Decorating
Saturday, Aug.1 • Ft. Jones Ball Park • 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Boyz Nite Out Contemporary A Capella
Siskiyou Telephone • Scott Valley Auto Parts • Fort Jones Lumber Yard
Sunday, Sept. 6 • Mt. Shasta City Park• Noon til 6 pm
Blackberry Music Festival
Live Music, Fun, Food & Games • An Annual Project of Mt. Shasta Rotary Club
A variety of activities will start Friday in Dunsmuir at Railroad Days, with fun stuff for kids and adults, including a fishing derby, parade, live entertainment, activities for train buffs, a softball tournament, diaper derby, L’il Engineer contest, pancake breakfast, food and craft vendors, a pie social and a dunk tank and bounce house.
A replica Southern Pacific caboose will be awarded to a lucky raffle winner Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. During Railroad Days on June 12 and 13 model trains will be up and running both days at the Cedar Flats Railroad Clubhouse on Cedar Street just below Dunsmuir Avenue.
The Pie Social is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 13 to benefit the Amtrak Depot and the adjoining railroad Display Room. The pie event will be held in the Amtrak Depot parking lot and will feature homemade pies at $2 a slice. Included among a colorful assortment of vendors will be members of the Karuk Tribe, offering their Indian tacos. For the youngsters on Saturday there will be a Diaper Derby and L’il Engineer contests starting at 9 a.m. in the Children’s Park. Sign ups for both contests will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the information booth on Pine Street. At 2 p.m. Saturday on the Pine Street stage there will be an awards ceremony for winners of the noon parade and the Diaper Derby and L’il Engineer contests, as well as the winner of the special caboose raffle.
Friday, June 12
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Food, Craft, Nonprofit Booths/Vendors Pine St. and Dunsmuir Ave.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Local Authors in front of Pizza Factory
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Dunk Tank & Bounce House on Upper Pine
2 p.m. - 10 p.m Live Entertainment on Upper Pine Stage
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Model Trains at Cedar Flats Railroad Club Cedar St. below Dunsmuir Ave.
5 - 9 p.m. Registration for Diaper Derby, L’il Engineer Contest at Information Booth on Pine St. & Dunsmuir Ave.
6 p.m. Start time for Softball Tournament at North Dunsmuir Ball Field
Guido “Bill” Mei, who played a central role in Dunsmuir’s booming downtown of the 1970s and ’80s, will be a featured attraction in this year’s Railroad Days parade on June 13. The parade will start at noon and will also feature Dunsmuir Citizen of the Year Linda Guzman.
Saturday, June 13
7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast at St. John’s Social Hall, Willow St. and Shasta Ave.
7 - 11 a.m. Children’s Fishing Derby between 800-foot Bridge & Butterfly Bridge
9 - 10 a.m. Diaper Derby at Children’s Park
10 - 11 a.m. L’il Engineer Contest at Children’s Park
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Railroad Museum next to Amtrak depot open
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Children’s Activities at Children’s Park
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Food, Craft, Nonprofit Booths Pine St. and Dunsmuir Ave.
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Dunk Tank & Bounce House on Upper Pine
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Model Trains at Cedar Flats Railroad Club Cedar St. below Dunsmuir Ave.
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Live Entertainment/Upper Pine Stage
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Local Authors in front of Pizza Factory
10 a.m. Start time for Softball Tournament at North Dunsmuir Ball Field
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tri Tip BBQ at the Brown Trout, Sac Ave.
11 a.m. Parade participants line up on Oak St. near Dunsmuir Ave.
Noon - Parade from Oak St. to Florence Loop
Noon - 2 p.m. Live entertainment at the Brown Trout, Sac Ave.
2 p.m. Awards Ceremony on Pine St. Stage
2p.m. - 3 p.m. Pool Games at Community Pool/North Dunsmuir
5p.m. - 8 p.m. Pie Social at Amtrak Depot Sacramento Ave.
Sunday, June 14
10 a.m. - Softball Tournament at North Dunsmuir Ball Field.
For more information on Railroad Days call 235-4034 or 235-4550.
