50 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} nature nurture postranchinn.com less views us as treelike sources of shelter. We then pull on gauntlets for a “hawk walk” with Diego, a Harris’s hawk who uses us as landing pads whenever Antonio tempts him over with bits of meat. As the day draws to a close, I arrive for my dinner reservation at Sierra Mar. My Fogline Farm chicken breast in red wine jus and asparagus with fermented gai choy and trout roe are served at a table beside floor-to-ceiling window panels. It’s a front-row seat for watching the sun as it sinks into the sea. When a bobcat slinks along the ridge no more than a dozen yards away, I want to applaud. Mother Nature and Post Ranch Inn have put on quite the show. the blazing stars. The resort’s outdoorsy opportunities extend to a full roster of activities. Whether it’s an early morning yoga session at the yurt with Jade, a garden tour of the season’s herbs, edible flowers and fruits with head gardener Chris or an art walk of the property’s sculptures with Mike, the onsite gallerist, there’s something for everyone. I’m most looking forward to a session with falconer Antonio Balestreri and six of his feathered friends. Since it’s on the far side of the property, I catch a ride with the ranch’s task force director Phil Hildreth. Due to the property’s windy, narrow roads, the staff and a fleet of Lexus vehicles assist guests in navigating the grounds. You’re also welcome to borrow the keys yourself for adventures along the picturesque Highway 1 or famed Pfieffer Beach. When I ask what to expect from my time with Antonio, Phil chuckles. “Sometimes I think he has wings tucked underneath his jacket.” Soon I understand why. Standing under a willow, the falconer spouts a torrent of raptor facts and introduces us to owls, hawks and a peregrine falcon. He invites us to press our foreheads to the chest of a great horned owl who seems to welcome the interaction—though Antonio assures us it’s not because it wants a cuddle, but because it more or
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