Roundstonefarm Blog

As I was pulling out of the driveway this morning heading down to do breakfast at Roundstone Farm, I saw a young Red Shouldered hawk standing on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. A pick-up truck had just missed it. I stopped the FJ and jumped out to try to wave off any cars coming up the hill. Luckily, there were few that early in the morning. The hawk was just standing there,  it didn’t appear like it had been hit, but it didn’t make any attempt to get away from me as I came up to it. I knew it would  get hit if I didn’t do something, for the neighborhood crows were already gathering for a kill. So, I took my jacket off and threw it over the hawk. I then grabbed the whole bundle, hawk and jacket. The hawk was surprisingly light and it didn’t put up much of a scuffle. Still I remembered a similar encounter I had with a Great Horned owl a couple of years ago. Similar situation, for it too was standing on the road, but in that case it had been hit and had lost an eye. I threw a jacket on that one too. But unlike the hawk, that owl’s talons went right through that jacket. I learned from that experience that you had to hold that baby pretty tight, there was no “nice owl, I just want to see what you look like.” I held on tight until I was able to put it into a dog carrier. Same thing this time with the hawk, however, at least this hawk didn’t smell like skunk, which was a major prey for the owl. After breakfast I went up to the house to see how the hawk was doing. Seemed to be ok, so I put a pair of welding gloves on and reached in to grab it for a better look. Man, what a set of talons. It puffed its feathers up till it looked twice its size. I thought about letting it loose to see if it could fly, but thought better of it, because if it couldn’t fly and it got away from me, the crows and scrub jays would have killed it for sure. So, like the owl, I took it to Wildcare Animal Hospital in San Rafael. After about 20 minutes and donating $100, I left with the dog carrier, for the hawk was in good hands. The volunteer on duty gave me its patient number if I wanted to call back later to see how the hawk was doing. On the way home I did a couple of errands and stopped to get a latte. I parked in the shade and read for about 10 minutes. Forty-five minutes later I woke up and drove home. Actually, it was probably more like an hour and a half. (Isn’t life grand?) Anyway,when I got home, there was a message on the machine telling me that the hawk was ok and that I could pick it up the next day to bring it back to Olema. The caller noted that the hawk might be one of a pair that was taking care of a couple of young ones, so it was needed. Cool, I get to bring it home. Not like the last time with the owl, for they wouldn’t give it back to me to let go where I had found it. Wildcare kept that owl a little too long, I think. It died. Karen and I were bummed about that owl for years. We’ve been given a second chance with this one.

Those of you that have listened to some of my stories around the breakfast table are well aware of my ability to take a simple task and create a monster out of it. Well, here is another one to add to that long list! Every year at this time, for at least the past 20 years, we have been  blessed with hundreds of cliff swallows returning to build their mud jugs on the inn and our house, which is about a hundred yards away. I should say first, that Karen’s view of the swallows returning and mine isn’t the same. She thinks we’re blessed. I, on the otherhand look at it with mixed feelings. After all, Karen’s not the one that has got to wash the windows (multiple times), climb up on the ladder to put the little birds back into their nest after they’ve fallen out (the record is three times), and, then knock down and clean up the nests when everybody has split to wherever it is that they go. I think you get my drift.

About tenyears ago I broke the swallows routine of returning to the B&B; of course, I then had to agree to let them all come up to our house to build their nests and raise their young. Well, little by little I’ve been putting plastic screening under the eaves to keep the swallows off certain areas of the house - like where I barbecue my ribs. (Karen actually agreed to that)

To get to the point, Karen went to Washington, DC for a couple of days a week or so ago, so she was not here when the big wave of birds arrived. I thought, great, this is my opportunity. I got together all my netting, staples, and ladders and proceeded to cover the eaves.  After two-days, I had done it. Totally protected from mud nests and bird doo-doo. It was a great feeling!  No longer would I have to chase our cats off the bed while they waited for the birds to commit suicide by crashing into the windows; which they never did. I mean, I had won.  Finally!

I awoke the next morning at half-light,  went to the window to check out what was happening outside, and what did I find.  At least a million cliff swallows flying around the B&B. I mean they were putting mud under the eaves and anywhere else that might hold it. Gads! Here it was Friday morning and a full-house of guests was about to arrive for the weekend to find bird doo-doo all over everthing. Most notably the windows. Believe me, from experience, a lot of people may say their “green” and that animals have their rights, but when it comes to bird doo-doo, all bets are off.

Anyway, after another couple of days running outside and yelling at the birds and cursing my stupidity, I got smart. I went up to the house, climbed up on the roof and removed all the nets that had taken me two-days to put up. I had lost another one! What is it they say about mice and men?

Cindy Muldoon has been named the Superindendent of Pt. Reyes National Seashore and will start her new position in mid-May. Ms. Muldoon has been with the National Park Service since 1985  and has occupied varied Park  Service positions throughout the United States. She is currently serving as the deputy regional director of the National Park Service’s Pacific West Region. Ms. Muldoon replaces Don Neubacher whom, since February, is  serving as the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park.

Priscilla’s -  11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays) 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, 415-669-1244, Cuisine: Fish/pizza ; Service: Friendly; Noise Level: Moderate; Recommended items: Fish tacos, crab enchiladas, pizza; Liquor selection: Beer, wine, soju, margaritas; Corkage: $10; Heart-healthy and vegetarian selections: Salads; Parking: Street and lot; Wheelchair access: Yes; Credit cards: All major

Summary: Nine years ago, Priscilla Levy bought the Gray Whale Pub and Pizzeria and renamed her roadside cafe Priscilla’s. Though pizza is still on the menu, the offerings have expanded to include everything from fish tacos, which are better than average, and fresh oysters to pastas and chicken pot pie.

Tanya Henry, Marin IJ,Wednesday, April 21, 2010 (for complete story visit www.marinij.com)

I look forward to working with the other members of this committee, county staff, and the Marin Economic Forum (MEF)  Executive Committee to recruit and retain businesses in the the nine targeted industries that were defined in the 2004 “Targeted Industries Study (TIS).” The  TIS was performed by the “Economic Competitiveness Group (ECG) to analyze the drivers of Marin County’s economy.

This should be very interesting, for it will expose me to industry sectors, such as “Media & Electronic Arts,” in which I have little or no experience. Of course, being from West Marin, my primary focus will be the agriculture and tourism sectors. This combination, or cluster comprised of the two main economic drivers of West Marin is what butters our bread, so to speak.

“Top 100 Bay Area Restaruants” San Francisco Chronicle (April 2010)

Chef-owner Christian Caiazzo calls his food “Point Reyes Italian.” Specialties: Oyster pizza, Tomales Cove mussels with Lunny’s grass-fed hot links; beans and greens; braised goat with creamy herbed polenta; any dessert. Prices: $15 to $19

Located at: 11285 Hwy ! (corner of 3rd Street) in downtown Pt. Reyes Station; (415) 663-9988 or www.osteriastellina.com

Lunch and dinner Wednesday thru Monday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.

Personally, I love the goat shoulder. Frank B.

Watch Egrets & Great Blue Herons courting & nesting at one of the major West Coast colonies.  Everyone enjoys their visit! The Preserve opened for the 2010 year on March 20th and will remain open to the public until July 11. The hours are: Weekend & Holidays - 10 am to 4pm; Tuesday thru Friday by appointment only; Closed Mondays. There is no charge but a $15 dollar donation is appreciated.

Located at: Audubon Canyon Ranch, just three miles north of Stinson Beach, CA. www.egret.org

Just at half-light this morning I heard a turkey gobbling down near the pond, but couldn’t quite pick it out visually. When picking up the morning paper in the driveway of Roundstone Farm, I saw it roosting in one of the big Cyprus trees. While fixing breakfast for the guests I started to hear more and more turkey’s calling. I assume they were in the trees also, but I didn’t see them initially. Anyway, while the guests and I were talking at breakfast I looked down by the pond and spotted a bunch of gobblers in full display. Man, they had their tails all fanned out and were strutting around all over the place trying to impress the ladies. Typical male reaction to Spring. And, it’s not only the turkeys, for I’m even starting to work out more…gotta look decent at the beach!

Coming up in late April, 2010 is a great venue of birding related activities. This four-day event, is the first of a planned annual birding festival in the Pt. Reyes area. Jules Evens, Rich Stallcup, David Wimpfheimer, and other well-known area experts will be leading many of the programs. Register on-line at www.PointReyesBirdingFestival.org.

A California thrush is, once again, taking dumps in my car. A couple of years ago I had a pair of California thrush that took it upon themselves to fly into my car whenever a window was open to defecate on my steering wheel. Years back, I had this big old, ugly, maroon Chevy Capri, which I loved because I could haul four boys with all their football gear back and forth to practice and games. I wasn’t the only one who liked it, for at that time there was a pair of thrush that would fly into my car whenever I left it in front of the garage at Roundstone Farm. I mean, they were in there minutes after I went into the B&B. And, they never got stuck in the car, even if the windows were only open a few inches. They were out of there in seconds when I came back outside.  Cheeky devils, they would leave a pile on the steering wheel just where I placed my hands. They also used to leave a pile on my head rest, only mine, not the passenger head rest. The boys would often say, “Gads Frank, there’s bird doo in your car.” Like it was supposed to bother me. Well, for a guy that washes his car, at the most twice a year…it didn’t. That pair of thrush were around a couple of years and I totally enjoyed their antics. I doubt that it’s the same birds, but whomever they are…they can take a dump in my car anytime. I mean, what are friends for?