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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.

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Where in the World is Ebie?

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.

poppies

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!

Grazing DM

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

Queen’s court

Laundry

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!

Train Tracks and the Bluff

Stay behind the edge, but its beautiful overlooking the ocean and the train tracks. The haze almost turn to mist.

Overlook -  DM

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.

Seal  on the rock

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.

Let Me Hear

He whispered, I love you! And responded, me too!

Ice plants

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!

Diamond Valley Lake - A
But I saw lots of butterflies and bugs!

Lady Bug and Filaree

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

Serpent in the Desert – A sculpture by Ricardo Breceda
The whole length of this object crosses the other side of the road.

Sunset at Anza Borrego

Sunset, waxing crescent moon and the wild horse sculpture

Yellow Cactus

Its pretty and prickly too!

Scorpion

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

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Golden Pond Reflection

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.

Pond Reflection - A

This was almost 3 pm and the hot sun was just as bright as these yellow wildflowers.

Pond Reflection - B

James hosts Weekend Reflection

Weekend Reflectionsclick badge and see what others got.

Posted in California, Conservancy, Day Trippin', Road Trip, Weekend Reflections, Windwolves Preserve | 13 Comments

Fields of Orange Glow

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.

Wildflowers and cross DM

What attracted me to this landscape was the cross among those rocks/stones that are visible along the highway.

Fence -A

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!

Fence -B

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!

Fence -C

Guess what?  I had to be in a prone position to get this shot!  Would you?

My Subaru

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

farm-fence-icon copy

Posted in Day Trippin', Flowers, Friday Fences, SkyWatch Friday, Wildflowers | 21 Comments

A Seagull’s Paradise

220px-Californian_Channel_Islands_map_en

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.

Anacapa Island-64-2a

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.

Anacapa Island-55-2a

Yay!  We are going again this month, but to Santa Cruz Island.  What an adventure!

Anacapa Island-122-2a

There are no predators to eat their eggs, the Western Seagulls and endangered Brown Pelicans find this hilltop island an oasis of protection.

Anacapa Island-168a

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.

Anacapa Island-274a

The Channel Islands

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

Posted in Anacapa Island, California State Parks, Channel Islands, Friday Fences, Wild Bird Wednesday | 13 Comments

The Hunt for Wildflowers: An Adventure

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!

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

Beach morning glory with the field yellow mustard across the highway.

Bridge

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

Our World

Posted in Day Trippin', Flowers, Santa Barbara, Wildflowers | 12 Comments