cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
19346
Plenty of Hits and Misses Today
Good morning. I went for a walk on my own this morning as Mrs. C and her sister are visiting their uncle. Having a second person along is a great help because I can't look in all directions at once.
I am trying to enjoy the outdoors, and as we used to say in school "Stop, Look and Listen" while I am walking. It's not easy.
Can you see the scary bug on the scary prickly-pear cactus?
Last year I did a post with a checklist to show what sort of things I look for when we are walking. Here's how it came out today:
- mammals ✓ 3 rabbits, no picture
- reptiles ✓ 2 lizards, possibly 1 snake no picture
- insect ✓ bees yes, unknown insect (scary) yes, butterflies no picture
- spiders ✓ many
- birds ✓ small birds yes, water birds yes, hummingbirds yes, raptors no
- flowers ✓ many beautiful
- bokeh shot ✓ yes
- action shot ✓ yes
- interesting architecture ✓ yes
- wide-angle scenery ✓ yes
- obligatory watch photo ✓ yes
- interesting vehicles ✓ yes
Other things I usually try not to photograph showed up:
- homeless debris / encampments ✓ yes
- homeless person on the trail ✓ yes
- cyclists trying to run me over ✓ yes
- drivers trying to run me over ✓ yes, no picture
- dog walkers ✓ yes
Now that I have spoilt a few of the surprises, we can get down to business.
The Famosa Slough (pronounced slew or slue)
Standing up straight, at attention.
Can you see the scary bug on the scary prickly-pear cactus?
I love to see dew drops on the flowers, even cactus flowers.
'Tis beautiful too, and even more dangerous.
Her Pollen baskets are full.
Practicing good posture while marching.
Tip to the amateur sign-painter "Don't quit your day job"
Baby needs new shoes? These look new.
White C8 - mine had racing stripes
I crossed the road here - you can see they are working, there are plenty of cones and the worker slowed some folks down as he too crossed, then a lady in a Mercedes accelerated, roaring past right next to both of us!
Glad to be out of the road, I walked northward. Where birds are looking for breakfast.
Watching the bird find breakfast.
Watching me watch those other birds, while the rabbit runs off right in front of me. I saw 3 rabbits today but no photos. Rats! (didn't see any)
A pine cone factory!
Northern half of the nature preserve goes up to the highway; Sea World Tower visible on the other side.
Out of nowhere, an ancient gentleman pushes his bike down the pathway while I step out of his way. The brush is a bit too high to ride, wouldn't you say?
I go back to getting bokeh shots of flowers.
Looking down, you can see the spider scurrying away
Looking southwards you can see where I have come from.
Looking up we see Sea gull and the moon
Looking northwards we see Sea World.
Looking up above my head we see an unnecessary sign.
And finally to the west we see another big bird.
This should go without saying...
Cormorant and the Bat-Sign
Gads! Does this light make my crystal look scratched?
Cormorant and the Bat-Sign
Gads! Does this light make my crystal look scratched?
Or are my eyes are starting to look like his?
Cyclist 2 had to stop because I was on a narrow section of the path across the marsh. After I stepped off into the brush, he went by slowly, apologized, then threw his bike over these chains, and carried on without a path.
Cyclist 3 shot past me as I was just reaching the main road and its excessive electrical wiring! I didn't realize the path through the Slough was a commuter trail.
View from the southernmost end of the preserve.
Focus practice through the foliage.
Surprise! The first time I have seen a building being moved while on a walk... it looked like it was sliding into the Slough (too much rain this year?).
Regular readers know that I love hummingbirds. Sadly this is the best photo I could get today!
Thanks for reading! BTW the crystal looks fine on my desk!
Cazalea
Plenty of Hits and Misses Today
Good morning. I went for a walk on my own this morning as Mrs. C and her sister are visiting their uncle. Having a second person along is a great help because I can't look in all directions at once. I am trying to enjoy the outdoors, and as we used to say...
Nice, as always.
Looks like that is a lot of house to be moving. Always wondered about that and what condition it arrives in.
I think it was a small apartment building maybe 2-3 units
Perhaps they are just building a new foundation underneath it which is not uncommon with older homes around here.
The posturing birds....
Are my favorite this time around. Both the 'marching', and the 'bat sign' ........
1. I need to be more observant
2. I need to get out for more walks 3. I need to learn to share as graciously as you 4. I need to move somewhere as pretty as you do (Strike that one, some of us are suited to suffering cold New England winters. Someone has to!)
I like your post a lot
It makes me think about the great norweigan author K-O Knausgård who keeps repeating his mantra "fix your eyes". Thanks Pelle
Thanks for taking us along on the journey 👍🏻👌🏻
Fantastic photography and your storytelling is to the point, as always 👏🏻