Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: OH BABY! BOBCAT KITTENS IN JAMUL

Printer-friendly version   August 9, 2011 (Jamul) – What could be cuter than a bouncing baby bobcat? How about an entire bobcat family?   “He’s sleeping in the big ash tree right in front of our house—he’s been there for hours!” writes Jan Maxted, whose husband, Don snapped these photos outside their rural Jamul home. “No sign of his mom,

Read More ...

A ROARING GOOD TIME: EAST COUNTY CHAMBER MEMBERS GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH BIG CATS AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS

Printer-friendly version   Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery   August 2, 2011 (Alpine) — "Oh, you’re beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken.  But he wasn’t complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja–a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions,

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SNAKES ALIVE!

Printer-friendly version      August 2, 2011 (Ramona) — ECM intern Elena Luz Pena snapped these "striking" close-ups of an unusually colorful rattlesnake at the home of her fiance’s father in Ramona.    This two-foot-long critter’s message is crystal clear: don’t tread on me!   Unlike some rattlers, Pacific Rattlesnakes are active both by day and night–often coming out at dusk to hunt

Read More ...

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SPLISH-SPLASH, I WAS TAKING A BATH….

Printer-friendly version July 29, 2011 (Lakeside) –Thanks to Mike and Cathy Sears for sending in this photo of a surprising visitor in the birdbath outside their home on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.   “It’s one of two red shouldered hawks in the area,” Mike said. “The hawks will even in get in and splash around in the bird bath.”

Read More ...

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WILDCAT!

Printer-friendly version  July 29, 2011 (Anza Borrego) — Daren Sefcik captured this rare image of a bobcat peering out of a rocky cave at Potrero Canyon in Anza-Borrego, a remote location accessible only by foot or by horse.      "I went out hiking the canyon to try and reach the base of Stephenson Peak," Sefcik said. "About a mile from the base

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WILDFIRE AT JACUMBA

Printer-friendly version                   July 16, 2011 (Jacumba) — Wayne Brammer captured these two images of a Cal-Fire crew and a San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter in action battling a brush fire near Jacumba this week.   "With all  the power lines running all over this area, my hat goes off to all of these

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MIDSUMMER BLOOMS

Printer-friendly version   July 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — Joan McIntosh captured the fragile beauty of these night-blooming cereus at her backyard in Lakeside.               The ghostly cactus flowers blossom just once in the warmth of a mid-summer’s night, then wither and perish.  Printer-friendly version

Read More ...

FAMILY FUN AT SANTEE SALUTES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Printer-friendly version  Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery   July 6, 2011 (Santee) — The City of Santee hosted its annual "Santee Salutes" patriotic celebration on July 4th, drawing families from across East County for this major event.   Scroll down to view photos of participants enjoying fun in the sun, followed by fireworks in the park after dark.  

Read More ...

MISSED THE FIREWORKS? WATCH FINALE HERE FROM SANTEE SALUTES!

Printer-friendly version    July 4, 2011 (Santee) – An estimated 7,000 people turned out for Santee Salutes, including families from throughout East County as well as local dignitaries including Assemblyman Brian Jones and Mayor Randy Voepel.  Live music, patriotic presentations, carnival rides and a spectacular fireworks show were all part of the festivities.   Printer-friendly version

Read More ...

ALL ABOARD! STEAM TRAIN RIDES, SQUARE DANCING & DIXIELAND JAZZ AT OLD POWAY PARK’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Printer-friendly version     July 4, 2011 (Poway) –Decked out with red and blue bunting on wooden railway bridges, water tower and gazebo/bandstand, Old Poway Park today looked like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The Old West-themed park exemplifies the best of Americana this 4th of July, compete with rides on the Baldwin steam train (watch

Read More ...

Search by Specific Date

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: HOW TO SPOIL A GOOD PICTURE

Printer-friendly version   February 9, 2013 (Ocotillo) — Photographer Jim Pelley brings us this perspective of how the Ocotillo Express Wind Facility has marred the beauty of nature in his desert community. “The snow can been seen from Ocotillo and it used to be a good picture from my house,” he writes. “Now the picture is littered with these monstrosities.”

Read More ...

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WILE.E COYOTE IN EAST COUNTY

Printer-friendly version   January 29, 2013 (Santee)–Van Collingsworth, Executive Director of Preserve Wild Santee, snapped this portrait of a coyote this week. “The Coyote had just finished drinking from Sycamore Creek near the boundary of Fanita Ranch, MCAS- Miramar, and a Mission Trails Expansion Area parcel of East Elliot,” he states. “Sycamore Creek is an important wildlife corridor and is the

Read More ...

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: ALIEN INVASION?

Printer-friendly version   January 28, 2013 (Ocotillo) – A reader on our Facebook page posted that when she drove east over the Mountains into Ocotillo recently at night, she was startled to see an array of blinking lights that resembled an “alien invasion.” Ocotillo resident Jim Pelley sent us this photo of the “invaders” — nearly 100 wind turbines flashing

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: “BIRD HOLE ROCK” IN MCCAIN VALLEY

Printer-friendly version   January 24, 2013 (McCain Valley) – Charles and Laurie Baker enjoy hiking in McCain Valley and the rugged Carrizo Gorge.  They have submitted numerous photos of rocks containing large holes suitable for hawks and eagles to nest in, or perch on while scanning the valley below for prey.  This is an area close to the proposed Tule

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SNOW FALLS IN JACUMBA

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 12, 2012 (Jacumba) — This week’s winter storm brought an unusual treat for residents of Jacumba, elevation 2850: snow!  Danielle Cook took these photos outside Jacumba Hot Springs, where a light dusting of snow blanketed the area.  Don’t rush out to visit, though — it’s already melting away in the mid-day sun. Printer-friendly version

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

Printer-friendly version   January 9, 2013 (Anza Borrego) – Daren Sefcik photographed these spectacular images in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.  This endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep ram was spotted in a canyon between Potrero and Squaw canyons near Agua Caliente campground. “We were out backpacking for four days through there, “Sefcik says.  He also captured this beautiful sunrise over

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: FARMER’S DAY OFF

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 5, 2013 (Boulevard) – It’s clear they weren’t plowing fields at this ranch in Boulevard, where a heavy snowfall created these winter wonderland scenes on New Year’s Eve taken by Melody Ponchot.              Printer-friendly version

Read More ...

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: TALKING TURKEY

Printer-friendly version January 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–ECM editor Miriam Raftery photographed this healthy-looking flock of wild turkeys near Cuyamaca. There is some debate on whether turkeys are native or non-native in our region.  Thousands of wild turkeys present today in our backcountry are descendants of wild turkeys released in 1993 by hunting groups.  But it’s quite possible that

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR 2012

Printer-friendly version December 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A photo is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. East County Magazine’s photographers and readers have compiled an impressive portfolio of dramatic images this year. These are our editor’s picks for the photos that create an emotional chord, from inspiration to anguish. We deeply appreciate our professional photojournalists

Read More ...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WHAT DOES AN ACTUAL GAS “PEAKER” PLANT LOOK LIKE?

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 2, 2013 (Otay)–“Look out, Santee, here’s your future,” Tom Lemon writes, referring to the Quail Brush gas-fired peaker power plant proposed just outside of Mission Trails Regional Park. Curious to see what a peaker plant actually looks like – not just in drawings prepared by the developer—Lemon ventured to Otay Mesa, where a gas-fired peaker plant recently opened.  Note: Peaker

Read More ...

Search by Specific Date

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.