Wildlife Sightings From This Past Weekend!

Below are a couple photos snapped by our early morning regulars.  The golden eagle was seen on #7 fairway, and the young coyote near the bridge on #14.

Golden Eagle Perched Above #9 Fairway

        

(Click to enlarge)

Many of you have heard the screeching calls of a pair of Golden Eagles 

that have been soaring above the front nine recently.  I finally got close enough to snap a couple photos of one of them above the 9th fairway.  For more info on this top predator, follow the link below:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle  

Water Reduction Efforts

(click to enlarge photo)

Shown here is an area on the perimeter of the course (#2) where irrigation has been cut off.  This is being done to save water to help with the ongoing 3-year drought.  The University is primarily pumping ground water for irrigation this summer, since surface runoff  was negligible this past winter.  

Problems in these areas include turf mortality, weed encroachment and golf cart damage. Later on, when rain returns, these areas are likely to become wet and muddy.  Unfortunately, the turf is very slow to recover in the short, cool days of  fall/winter. So watch for effects of this drought to linger well into next season.

Two Hawks Near #7 Green This Morning

(Click photo to enlarge)

Two Red-tailed hawks were spotted this morning near #7 Green.  One is flying, one is standing on the turf having his breakfast (a Field Mouse.)   Hawk sightings have been a bit less numerous this year due to the ultra-dry conditions in the native areas.