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In the early 1800's (and long before) there were many Indian villages in the Cuyamaca and Laguna mountains in Southern California. These villages were used by the Kumeyaay (and earlier) Indians as their spring and summer homes. They spent their winters in the local deserts (in and around what is now Anza-Borrego SP), or along the Pacific coast line.
The place we were looking on this day was once part of the ancient village of Pisclim. The mortars (morteros) we found there were used to grind acorns, seeds, etc.
A non-nondescript trail heading off into nowhere.
Nothing but dead-fall and vegetation.
A nice scene that may or may not even be in the area.
Nothing...
There is no trail here, but we do have an idea where what we are looking for is.
See? Even he's surprised to see us!
I get excited if I come across one of two morteros. Imagine how I feel when I run across a mother load like this...
Obligatory black and white.
We stopped counting at 75! I'm sure there were more in the vegetation.
You can see many more wild birds by following this link to my friend Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday extravaganza!
The next few are only here because I liked them.
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You must've been in Heaven with all those morteros.
ReplyDeleteBlack and white is nice.
Clever woodpecker although that's kind of disgusting.
And that shot with the deep blue sky and the old tree is just stunning!!
brilliant story and the pics, Pat, loved the unexpected birdy :)
ReplyDeleteThe photographic history you post is amazing, Pat.
ReplyDeleteI see a book in your future :)
Gosh, even just looking at the pictures of the morteros I get such a sense of history, of those who've walked that same path so long ago. Great pics!
ReplyDeletei just kept saying 'wow!' as the mortar photos rolled through. amazing finds! and the woodpecker is GORGEOUS as are those beautiful blue skies!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Pam! Your photo history is indeed amazing and I would be in line for that would-be book in the future!! Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteThat second to last picture just blows my mind! I love it. Like you, I think about how long ago and who used those mortars. Right in that very spot where you stood. Fascinating. Great find! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are amazing and the sky is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing thing to see, especially off the main trails. Great find and photos!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of an acorn woodpecker, that's pretty interesting how they feed. What a gorgeous place!!
ReplyDeleteAlex - It was nice to see them, that's for sure. Thanks Alex,I really liked that photo also.
ReplyDeleteDEZMOND - Thanks Dezmond! These birds are real characacters.
Pam - Thanks for saying that. I've thought about it, but I would seriously need someone to do most of the work for me. I'm just too ADD to stick it that long.
Shelly - That is exactly how I feel when I see them. A lot of other ancient things do that to me as well. Thanks Shelly!
TexWisGirl - I wish I would have originally found them! We've been watching these clever woodpeckers for years and loving them.
Sylvia - Thanks so much, nice of you to say that. If I do, I will be sure to let you know!
ReplyDeleteBouncin Barb - I really like that one also. It makes me feel like I'm looking down, instead of up. I also love the history of these places.
Brian - Thanks Brian!It always helps to have some clouds in the sky.
Al - I guess it used to be a main trail. It really isn't one these days. Or maybe we got off the trail and it was just blind luck. I'd read about all those mortars somewhere, so we knew the general location anyway. So it was no problem.
Wayne - You've probably never heard of them because they only live in the very southwestern part of the country.
I saw and posted somewhat similar sights in Nor Cal, Pat, but my photos aren't nearly as spectacular. I love the woodpecker picture. You're a magician with the camera.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
xoRobyn
I have never heard of <mortar before(in this regard).. that bird is so cute and great timing while she held onto that acorn.
ReplyDeleteAnother great field trip, Pat!
Beautiful pictures, as always!! :)
ReplyDeleteWho cares about the trail? You saw so much without it. Perhaps, it's to the best because you got in a real dense desert "jungle". And I enjoyed very much these pictures! She/he touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteB@W picture is simply outstanding!!!
You must have felt very close to these people as you hiked and searched and took photos. And it's as though nothing has changed since they lived there.
ReplyDeleteGreat post -- I was jealous of your hike there before when you saw the airplane and now I am even more so. Your pictures are all outstanding this time; I've never seen a place with that many mortars...and yes, they always make me think of the people who used them. and of course I loved the busy woodpecker!
ReplyDeleteRobyn - Thanks Robyn! Nice scenery, lots of colors, scattered clouds and great natural lighting. That's all the magic I need!
ReplyDeletesixdegreesphotography - Out here they call them morteros (the mortar) the pestle was called a Mano. There are a few other names for them as well. I love those birds.
Baby Sister - Thanks so much Amanda!
Kaya - I agree! Many trails are like highways. You don't get to see the good stuff until you get off of them. Thanks so much Kaya! I truly do appreciate your nice words.
Karen - That is exactly right Karen! Wait until you see some of things I've seen lately. I assume you have moved? I'm going to go check.
Sallie FTL - Thanks Sallie! You always make me feel good about what I do. If you think this is a lot of morteros, there is a place up in Northern California called Grinding Rock State Park. The main attraction is a 173-foot length of bedrock with 1,185 mortar holes in it! Wow!
What a beautiful place! I love your photos with the clouds and amazingly blue sky. It's mind blowing to think about the history behind the morteros.
ReplyDeleteI'm embarrassed to say that I've never heard of "mortars" as in this context. How fascinating and a thrilling find. Excellent documentation of an adventurous day!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous scenery and fabulous blue skies.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful series of photos, pat! great shots and scenery wonderfully captured!
ReplyDeletehappy tuesday~
Those pictures were eerie and fascinating at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning, and what an interesting post. Love your woodpecker, and that tree is amazing with so many nuts!
ReplyDeleteI love these beautiful photos of the trees, a truly amazing, beautiful and wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteSaludos!
wow, what an amazing looking place to explore ^_^
ReplyDeletewow, what an amazing looking place to explore ^_^
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place to walk. Your scenic photos are lovely. I love the woodpecker too. Great post. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place to walk. Your scenic photos are lovely. I love the woodpecker too. Great post. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteAll of those mortars....amazing. What a find. And that woodpecker....a real beauty. Your walk without a trail sounds like some of the “forced marches” Bud takes me on. I prefer a nice, leaf free, level path. I’m not the least bit picky.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I didn't know there were so many there. My mother's ancestors lived there and possibly helped grind acorns for flour. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery. That woody is neat looking, and quite smart by the sounds of it. The mortars are really cool.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery. That woody is neat looking, and quite smart by the sounds of it. The mortars are really cool.
ReplyDeleteAmazing find on the mortars! Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteJames - It all came together that day. I didn't have to do much but focus. I agree about the history. Thanks James!
ReplyDeleteStickup Artist - Thanks so much. It really is thrilling for me. Also, every time there is a wild fire in our part of the country. More artifacts like this are exposed.
ladyfi - I totally agree with you! It's a beautiful place. Especially so considering a great portion of the area burnt in the huge Cedar Fire.
Betty M - Thanks Betty! I appreciate it.
Al Penwasser - Being so close to these places also makes me think about how much we screwed up their lives. They did just fine before we showed up.
Icy BC - Thanks for saying that and I'm glad you liked them. It is so much fun watching these characters.
Leovi - Thanks Leovi! So much history is there.
ReplyDeleteNora - When compared to current day conditions, the communities were actually fairly small. However, some of these things were used for centuries, but only for about six months at a time.
Lokyne - Hey there! Yep, they are really amazing to explore. Thanks for stopping by!
Eileeninmd - Thank you so much for the nice words and for stopping by.
genie - To find the things we're looking for, we have to spend a lot of time off trail. I don't mind a nice easy trail either, but I like seeing the things that most people miss, or never even think about.
thewovenspoke - Thanks so much! I appreciate the nice words. Thanks for commenting. Do you have any stories relating to your family history in this area? I'd sure be interested in hearing or reading them. Thanks again!
Karen - Thanks Karen! It'a a beautiful area and lots to do and see around there.
Janice Adcock -Thanks so much for stopping by and for the nice words.
Oh man. I loved this hike. I went back and did it over after I finished the first time. (I'd do it again, but my scrolling finger is tired and needs a drink.)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, you guys go on some amazing trail walks.. we have many here that sort of disappear and you just kind of make your own way :) The morteros are fascinating, got a mental picture of the women of the village preparing the spices for dinner..nothing changes :) Larvae for dinner.. mmm yummy, those woodpeckers know how to live !! Excellent post as always Pat.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post with some nice pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Bossy Betty - Don't over extend yourself!
ReplyDeletePerthDailyPhoto - Thanks so much! We like trails (it's usually easier to get from a to b), but we also like to get off of them. You are right some things never changing... That was funny.
Really fascinating pictures and I love the Woodpecker.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. Wow those mortars are something else. Glad you found them. Interesting sky shots too. I love clouds. MB
ReplyDeleteNeat to learn about the acorn woodpecker. What makes those divets in the rock?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo. I really love that one near the end with the deadfall and the tiny clouds.
Your photos are like a breath of spring warmth to these frigid MInnesota bones.
ReplyDeleteSplendid post - I remember seeing very similar grinding sites in the north of Australia - possibly even older than these ones.
ReplyDeleteGreat bird - I managed to see some of these in Yosemite, many, many years ago (and welcome to WBW!)
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Love the second last photo of the tree against the sky, stunning.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something new when I come here. Thank you
Love seeing these grinding spots. Truly spectacular. A place with such history. Beautiful skies there too, and always a pleasure to see an acorn woodpecker. Thank you for this hike.
ReplyDeleteAndrew - Thanks so much for stopping by and the nice words.
ReplyDeleteAdam Jones - Thanks Adam! I liked those guys also.
Small City Scenes - Thanks MB! I appreciate the comment.
M Pax - The holes are made by grinding grain, acorns, etc, with a hand held rock. After a lot of use, the hole forms and gets deeper. The hole is called a mortero (or mortar) and the pestle is called a "mano." Thanks Mary!
The Geezers - Thank you so much! I'm happy to have warmed you up. I will be over to comment on your last post. It was pretty deep stuff.
Stewart M - Thanks Stewart! Over here they range from a a couple hundred years, to several thousand years. You are probably right about the ones in your country though.
Mynx - Thanks so much Mynx! We all can still learn, right?
Robin - I really like seeing them also. Everything was in alignment that day. Nice sky, clouds, colors. I loved it. You are welcome and thank you!
I always love stopping by your blog. I always learn something. The blue skies make me long for summer.
ReplyDeleteLaura Delegal - I appreciate that Laura! Summer? I'm betting that right now you'd settle for 45 degrees!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! so you did find them. I've done some exploring of this area (my sister lives in San Diego). We went to where a Lake is (from a camping book) and were so disappointed to find the coulter pine forrest no longer a coulter pine forrest (fire).
ReplyDeleteLike the pics you took because you like them, the most:)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you have such a clear way of explaining things, that may be consider a book (first on-line for $15 to see if you want to go further to make it an "official one?)
That second to last photo made me dizzy. Did you fall over backwards when you were taking it? There are abandoned air planes here in the Bahamas too. THey rot where they fall and become artificial reefs for fish. The most famous one is off Normans Cay, where the US and Bahamian governments joined forces to oust a drug lord in the 1970's. He went to prison Stateside and the DC10 is still sitting in the shallows, complete with bullet holes. A fun snorkelling excursion.
ReplyDeleteLove your landscape images. A beautiful area!
ReplyDeletePasadena Adjacent - You probably went to Lake Cuyamaca. The giant Cedar fire in 2003 wiped out most of them. It swept through this entire area. It was the biggest wildfire in California history (known history anyway). Do you remember that year? There were 15 or 16 wildfires burning at the same time in SoCal.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are in that area, the place we camp at still has quite a few Coulter pines.
That's quite a find Pat!
ReplyDeletejeannettstgermain - Thanks! It's a great area and not far from your neck of the woods. Thanks for the nice words.
ReplyDeleteRosemary Nickerson - I couldn't fall over, because I was already laying on the ground! That story about the DC-10 is very interesting!
Reena - Thanks so much Reena! It really is a nice place.
TheChieftess - Thanks Kathryn!