cazalea[Seiko Moderator]
19468
Bull in the Pines
Today's walk is sponsored by Brian, who generously provided his Bullhead Chronograph for my wrist today (he thinks I am going to give it back...)

Our early morning destination is Torrey Pines State Reserve Extension Area; a tediously long bureaucratic name, eh? It was still dark when we got there so we didn't see the signs saying it doesn't open til 7am.

We had enough moonlight to easily follow the trails which were ridiculously de-enhanced on each side by posts and steel cables. Highly structured with signs every 10-20 feet saying "stay out".

Perhaps with good reason at some points.
Here is the view to the west, and the mostly-peaceful Pacific Ocean. We could hear the surf all the way up on the mesa.

View to the east as the sun is about to rise, pouring its magic into the San Diego skies

I try the Auto setting on my Sony RX10

Then do a Panorama shot on the iPhone.

While I am fooling around with cameras, Mrs C shouted out "there's a coyote down there by the lone Torrey Pine!" But my camera didn't find him, nor did I by peering into the distrance below. Can you?

Hmmm. We are still not legal, and the sun won't rise for anther 20 minutes. Nice watch, isn't it? See my
WatchTech article for more information.

The skies are coming more alive with colors, especially blue which is fighting for dominance over the orange.

The battle is stronger to the east.

Because the ocean's blue-purple dominates to the west.

I can imagine life out here in the pines. This house got there long ago, before the area was turned into a nature preserve.

My wife has a friend who lives over to the right in the big pines. I did a photo story on her house last year when we went to a Christmas party there.

We continued to walk until Mrs. C said "The sun is lighting the trees from the side, you like those shots." I do, so I took a couple.

Another house on the border of the preserve owns these two mighty Torrey Pines.

It's time to check off another photo obligation for our morning walks. Wildlife.

He was there in the previous two photos as well.

And this other bunny on the far side of the road was in place the whole time too. Listening intently.

While here's my daily bird close-up. He was providing a sad farewell song for us, as we prepared to depart.

Leaving the beautiful but excessively-signed Extension behind. The advantage of going here, compared to the main Reserve, is saving the $15 fee payable at the main place...
It wasn't quite time to go home, so we drove to the coast and got in some ocean viewing. That's La Jolla in the distance.

While looking at the water, I heard the rumble of a half-dozen muscle cars. I spun around but only fast enough to catch this very nice Camaro, no doubt on his way to a local Cars & Coffee meeting.

Turning back to the water ...

the pelicans caught my wife's eye. They soar just inches above the water, and watch the swells even more intently than the surfers.

OK, that's enough for today.

North.

South.

Home. Elapsed time is 1:46:52 or something close to that.

Thanks for reading.
Cazalea