Spring is here, everyone is out hiking. We were supposed to meet up with a group at Chantry Flats. Us and everybody else, there is hardly any parking, we forgot to get the day parking pass, it was going to be a nightmare. So this being the San Gabriel mountains, we found another simple hike nearby. Bailey Canyon in Sierra Madre.
Studying the map
After the rains there is so much green, we love it! Even if there isn’t water in the creek.
At the start of the hike we found this.
I have been warned about poison oak many times. It was good to see the real thing so I know what to avoid. Never saw any more on the trail, this is a very well maintained hike, so they are probably removing it from the trail areas.
This very green meadow will soon be brown. Plants react to the rain and burst forward when they have a chance.
It was very foggy and hazey, so I didn’t take panoramic vista photos, but it is spring and everything is blooming.
Another thing I don’t touch is mushrooms, some are edible and some deadly poisonous, no idea which is which.
Being that this is the San Gabriels, the hike is straight up the mountain, sure switch backs, but this is uphill hiking.
Some of the flowers along the way.
None of these are very big, my photos are deceiving. 
These two examples are tiny, I’d say the flowers are smaller than a dime, but oh so pretty!
I’m guessing that in a month or two this will burst open and spread more seeds.
My telephoto was at maximum. Looking back down at this bench.
Of course on our way back we had to stop here and rest. As we reached the bottom the whole Sierra Madre search and rescue team were out, someone got stuck somewhere near the waterfall, so we didn’t go explore there. They said it wasn’t a bad situation, but every rescue is a learning one, so they were way over manned.
We usually stop somewhere for lunch. This time we were very lucky, we have very good friends who live right near the Search and Rescue headquarters and that is where we headed for a lovely lunch as well as an enjoyable time with friends. They had an oriole visit as well as other colorful birds. They showed up video of their friendly fox and bears. We just get possums, raccoons and coyote.
Meanwhile back at home, this little lady built a nest over our patio. Notice how tiny it is, it is hanging on the fairy lights. Also notice how dark her beak is.
A few days ago I noticed this, two beaks and they are orange tipped with black! The babies were born!
Here they are, peaking out, waiting for mama to feed them. Of course now I am watching them daily!