Why National Parks are Awesome

Easter morning we looked down on Badwater Basin.

It's cold at this elevation.

I saw my first ever cayote--he looks surprisingly like Wylie.  

Andrew spotted him with his eagle eyes.

I couldn't resist capturing this festive option
in the dusty (expensive!!!) general store.

Sunday Morning in May

On my way to one of my favorite beaches...

I let out a shriek when Andrew almost stepped on this! 

More wildlife: This baby was posing on the rocks til a rescue team came for him.

A fun impromptu morning of surfing, sand, and sunning.

May Play

Artichoke season is upon us. I am growing them as a substitute/replacement/barrier to the awful thistle weeds in the garden. I am hoping for a harvest before long.

Now the stone version: A hummingbird was having a blast playing in a fountain at the mall. A happy moment for us both.

Sweet pea season again. They are prolific in our school garden and I make a point to distribute them to each classroom and the office. I have my own bounty at home. I never tire of them. Can they grow in Hawaii? Could I get them to bloom this August?

My 23rd Birthday. The date is now set for marriage: 8-9-10. I am partial to this man. I am partial to the number 9. August 9th is also my grandmother's birthday. I am having a lot of fun arranging and dreaming about the fun and happy details.

More Signs of Spring

Lunch dates in the garden.

Feathered friends gather nesting fodder.

Impromptu bouquets.

Asparagus--eat it raw when it's this fresh.

Creature Feature

Just a few of my many neighbors. I love living in such a thriving community.

Recent rain has created ponds filled with ducks and geese. My heart swelled when I saw a Mama duck being followed by her ducklings in a perfect row. 

The Brilliance of Cloudy Days

The thing I love about cloudy days...

Is the incredible dimension added to the world.

I have a healthy obsession with film grain mode.

And the moon.

Please remember to look up.  

Elephant Seals, Central Coast

Staring us down with those innocent eyes.

Twins!

The pick of the litter.

The chest bump: males begin the dance for dominance.

Open wide!  They make the funniest sound. 

The California Central Coast and Highway One are definitely worth checking out.

Housed for Exhibition

I find something very heartbreaking about this gorilla.
Please don't roar at him and pound on the glass.

This was a kindergarten favorite.

We've been practicing the penguin waddle.

This is a Miss Emily favorite.
Do you recall my well-loved flamingo costume?

Never smile at a crocodile
No, you can't get friendly with a crocodile 
Don't be taken in by his welcome grin
He's imagining how well you'd fit within his skin

I know, he's an alligator.  But I had to quote this for the students.

With Silver Bells and Cockle Shells

Last season I purchased a pile of tuberose bulbs (something I had written and posted on a Things To Do list）at the Farmers Market. I was so happy to harvest my very first of these fragrant flowers. I grew up with them in leis but never had actually seen one growing.

This sassy hummingbird kept frolicking about in my pineapple sage and flirting with my camera. The sun had already dropped so low-light didn't make for any good shots. I love that tuberoses also suit him.

I planted milkweed, since it's the only food source for monarch caterpillars. These caterpillars are enjoying it and will eventually pollinate my plants as lovely butterflies. Though I think they are also pretty charming as chubby caterpillars, don't you?  Our community garden is an official monarch waystation on their seasonal migratory path. You can see them clustered together in the branches of the nearby eucalptus.

100th Post

Magical, mythical, marvelous...

I went sailing with three rugged pirates yesterday (one being my dad). They picked me up in a dinghy on a nearby beach and we headed down the coast. Ten hours later, due to light winds, we docked in Ventura.

Dolphins swam along side the boat and seals waved to us with their flippers. Sailing is so peaceful, with no engine rumbling or diesel smells. Just the sound and smell of the sea.

We drove back late. A skunk was waiting for me as I turned into the stairs to my house. I got sprayed right in the face!
Gross.

There are no skunks in Hawaii.

Meet the Neighbors

This little skunklet was hanging out in a neighbor's caged in garden plot. Note: This is why my garden plots aren't barricaded/suburbia-ed off. The poor little guy was shaking in his booties as the neighborhood kids tried to rescue capture him. He must have been too young to spray (shucks) but don't worry, I broke out my bossy teacher voice and had them release him.
We rode our tandem bike right next to this dangerous looking sunbather. Andrew had me turn and check him out only after we passed him by. Rumor is he is a gopher snake who goes for little animals that eat our veggies so I'm supposed to like him. Snakes bring out a primal fear in me. Maybe because I didn't grow up with them--Hawaii is a snake-free zone. Snake lore is intriguing, I just don't want to see them.
Yes, there are a few trees in this desert. It's hard to imagine but this whole area was once an oak forest. I was laying under this tree and I found its beauty striking. I was doing sit-ups (!?) Yes, I'm officially committed to getting in shape again. I am going to reduce the layer of pudge that accidentally accumulated when I wasn't paying attention. Plus, due to working with germy little people, I really need to boost my immunity and avoid this whole pig flu scandal.
The last neighbor I am featuring is Fairview Gardens. I love walking through this organic farm admiring the fair view and picking up small-scale growing inspiration. Plus, they have cute chickens. I took this pic from the library window. Yes, I'm the person wandering the stacks with my zoom lens out. ;-)