If I may be delayed in visiting your blogs, please pardon me. Since I work full time, I only have weekends to scout for locations, so I could share with you what’s happening here in Southern California.
Its been a while since I have shared my photos. Yes, still out and about, but no time to blog and join memes. Here’s an update of my latest weekend adventures.
March 30, 2013 Santa Barbara, CA
Poppies found along the road
This was the last field outing in Bakersfield, where I saw lots of wildflowers and some some cows grazing, even got a taste of the fiddlenecks!
March 31, 2013
Bakersfield, CA
We went to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, held in Santa Fe Dam, (its still going on until May) with two of my photo buddies. My first, and I was in awe of the costumes! This the the Queen’s Court. This group, I was told are paid actors, while the rest are just volunteers. Some have been doing this when they were still a lad, and even their children follow their parents footsteps, as volunteers too!
Queen’s court
Old fashioned hang/dry laundry!
April 6, 2013
Irwindale, CA
My other camping buddies are from Orange County, and since the next outing was to San Diego, we decided that I sleepover at Mimi’s house and do some cooking lessons. I baked one whole shank of ham and Chinese noodles, for the kids to enjoy and for our lunch the following day!
Stay behind the edge, but its beautiful overlooking the ocean and the train tracks. The haze almost turn to mist.
The sea lavender and the little specks of yellow ice plants brighten the day. See how as little as an hour makes us happy campers.
Later in the day, on the way home, we stopped by La Jolla shores, and the pool where the seals take refuge. This seal looks like she is resting in a hammock.
He whispered, I love you! And responded, me too!
San Diego, CA
April 7, 2013
Last weekend was spent (still hunting for wildflowers) at the Diamond Valley Lake. There were not much wildflowers as compared to the past 2010 blooms! Its a great place for fishing too!
But I saw lots of butterflies and bugs!
Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet, CA
April 13, 2013
Since we were already half way to Anza Borrego Desert State Park, we have decided a week before that we camp out there. Well, there were only two of us! It was windy, with with gust of 30 mph. It was hot too during the day, at 91 degrees!
Serpent in the Desert – A sculpture by Ricardo Breceda
The whole length of this object crosses the other side of the road.
Sunset, waxing crescent moon and the wild horse sculpture
Its pretty and prickly too!
The highlight of the trip: acting and action, imitating the scorpion and the grasshopper!
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
April 14, 2013
photo by Jen Ho
Exploring the place with another camper and photo buddy, with different genre, she a black and white and charcoal pencil artist, and me, a mixed, but more on landscape, it was another day trip to the Windwolves Preserve.
On our way out, we decided to stop again at the visitor center. I happen to chance upon the Park Ranger, cleaning the moss in the pond. The rake he was using to clean up, we’re making waves on the pond, and just looking like a fan.
This was almost 3 pm and the hot sun was just as bright as these yellow wildflowers.
James hosts Weekend Reflection
click badge and see what others got.
So I arrived at 6:30 in the morning after a 100-mile drive from the Valley. It was such an adventure even to see the green fields and the moon set. Though I was not prepared to pull over and take some shots.
What attracted me to this landscape was the cross among those rocks/stones that are visible along the highway.
These wildflowers are on private property, and there is a stiff penalty (as posted) for trespassing. They are called fiddlenecks. Besides, we cannot step on these flowers because we want them to seed again for next season!
As the sun was rising, I followed the light and a little drive up the hill I saw some poppies. Mind you, flowers sleep too, hehehe! They don’t open up unless there is a lot of sun!
Guess what? I had to be in a prone position to get this shot! Would you?
Here we are, with my trusty friend, my Subaru, though I have not given her a name. Time to head back home. Oh, wait, I did stop at other places with great photo opportunities too! Stay tuned!
Linked to SkyWatch Friday
Jan hosts Friday Fences
Did you know? The Channel Islands are often called the “North American Galapagos” because they are home to over 150 endemic or unique species. The best time to visit is in the spring.
These photos were taken last year that I have not posted and shared. We visited Anacapa Island in the Channel Islands National Park on April 21, 2012.
These white spots are the seagulls. There were a lot of them. It is not unusual when you visit the island, that fog gets in the way. Sometimes, the boat that transport us from the Ventura harbor would cancel or delay the travel.
Yay! We are going again this month, but to Santa Cruz Island. What an adventure!
There are no predators to eat their eggs, the Western Seagulls and endangered Brown Pelicans find this hilltop island an oasis of protection.
You can see the gulls sitting on their nests that sit on the earth or slightly off the ground on top of flowers and plant mounds. Or even just be living in harmony.
The Channel Islands
Linking this post to:
Wild Bird Wednesday
hosted by Stewart M. @ Paying Ready Attention
and
Outdoor Wednesday
Hosted by Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer
Would you believe I can lead a group of 3 photographers for an adventure? Whatever pleases their eyes?
It was a Saturday field trip – exploring the Los Padres Mountains and beyond in search of wildflowers! The heavens splashed the mountains with paint – yellow field mustard!
We just have to be cautious driving along the freeway and stop at a designated exit to view these wonder!
Beach morning glory with the field yellow mustard across the highway.
Bridge to somewhere? – the Old Highway 1, they call it El Camino Real, before the Highway 101.
I hope you had a great weekend! We end up watching sunset at the beach. There’s more to tell and share pictures.
Join us and share your world! Linking this post to:
Our World Tuesday
My Other Blog
Please do not copy, save or post photos and claim them as your own for whatever gains.
Please respect the photographer.
Barb
Betchai
Jenn
Pixie Gail
Twylah
Yosemite, Feb. 2013
Death Valley NP - Jan. 2013
Yosemite NP - Oct. 2012
Yellowstone NP - Oct. 2011
Paradise Falls - May 2011
Diabetes Walk - Knotsberry Farm
Oct. 2010
Mammoth Mountains
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine
Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ
Medicine Circle, Sedona, AZ
Palatki Ruins, Sedona, AZ
