cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20873
Tecolote Canyon Today
We left the coast and went inland (East of Interstate 5). I had planned a hike up one of our many canyons, but the best-laid plans don't always pan out. It was such a great nature day that we didn't even walk 100
feet past the gate of our destination -- in fact, my wife spotted a
squirrel before I even stopped the engine!
Last week I listed some of the items I hope to see on our walks. Today I think we scored on most of them.
- mammal ✓ squirrels
- reptile ✓ lizards
- insect ✓ butterflies and bees
- birds ✓ hummingbirds, hawk, small birds
- flowers ✓ a few
- bokeh shot ✓ yes
- action shot ✓ yes
- interesting architecture ✓ yes
- obligatory watch photo ✓ yes
So that's it. No need to go any further is there -- should I just delete all the photos? OR put them in anyway so I can substantiate the aforementioned claims? Ah, let's use the photos after all the work of taking, sorting, editing, etc.
This isn't the first mammal; that one got away before I grabbed the camera, but he was on the same sidewalk a few yards from the car.
The hummingbird scolded us from the branch top, then flew away.
No shortage of ground squirrels there.
I found a beautiful swallowtail butterfly who was catching some early morning sunshine rather than flitting around the park (they're impossible to photograph while moving).
Later I saw this sign on the fence near the ranger station
We came across a bee hive under some kind of baseball "mound".
Here's the sharp & fuzzy (bokeh) bird.
And a nosy tree squirrel who tried to stare me down from 10 feet away.
I turned in time to catch this lizard who was taking on a golden coloration to match the straw.
A catcher's-eye-view of one of the baseball fields we walked past. These are just outside of the canyon.
The embankment in the outfield is the south end of Rose Canyon Fault where it intersects Tecolote Canyon. If we have a big earthquake, everything west of here will be heading for Hawaii.
Here's the view from the top of the hill above the baseball field. It's such a steep climb that we nearly had heart attacks going up (me) and coming down (my wife).
View to the ocean from the top of the hill.
AFTER we got down the path shown above, we found this flight of stairs that went about 1/4 of the way up the slope. We agreed it would not have been any easier using the stairs.
This is our original destination.
Dogs on leashes are welcome, but be forewarned!
The birds looked like they were about to have heat stroke.
Plenty of flowers for the pollen and nectar crowd.
As in this ornery hummingbird who stayed at the top of a large bush, not giving me any close-ups.
Whereas this beauty gave me lots of chances but was in perpetual motion. One,
Two, these the only ones worth keeping of a dozen photos
On the hillside far above is the dome of the Immaculata Church on the campus of Univ. of San Diego.
The canyon is quite steep at this point, and heavily covered with native plants.
Obligatory watch shot today's watch - a "goldtone" Seiko moonphase chronograph which I bought in 2005.
My Art photo of the day: two irrigation sprinklers throwing water at each other, behind one of the ball fields.
Thanks for reading and viewing! Did anything catch your eye today?
Cazalea
Tecolote Canyon Today
We left the coast and went inland (East of Interstate 5). I had planned a hike up one of our many canyons, but the best-laid plans don't always pan out. It was such a great nature day that we didn't even walk 100 feet past the gate of our destination -- i...
Your squirrel shots....
are always top-notch Mike, one might say you're a sort of expert when it comes to that .... Thanks again, cheers, Filip
Thanks
Maybe they just trust me... I got this guy twice and both were keepers, unedited right from the camera. ...
Lots of impressive animals!
That Mockingbird looks great - slightly serious! And all the squirrels are quite photogenic!
The hummingbirds are always a real pleasure to see.
In Europe we are blessed with all kind of wonderful birds, but no hummingbirds. The squirrel staring you down is another one I like, where the expression ‘staring one down’ reminded me of a song from Isaac Hayes. And your comment about the, thankfully not...
When I was a kid, growing up, the San Diego Zoo had a hummingbird exhibit
I think that's what started me on liking them, because we could actually go into this room about 50 feet by 12 feet, filled with water, plants and hummingbirds flying around. (picture from a web search) There's a new exhibit area now , but I haven't been ...
They are so incredible small, tiny almost, yet dazzling beautiful.
Thank you very much for the extra foto’s and info. What wondered me, is that the osprey, from your other post, let you and your wife so near. As if it has no fear for human beings.