Over the San Diego Bay and the Glorious Bridge: A Visit to Coronado

I enjoyed a quick overnight visit to Coronado, California…Check out these photos and see why this island touched my heart!

Feel free to click on each photo by SJF Communications!

The Charming Glorietta Bay Inn

Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications

The Famous Coronado Beach and Hotel Del Coronado

Photo by SJF Communications

Photo by SJF Communications

A Beautiful Great Blue Heron Enjoying Glorietta Bay

Photo by SJF Communications

Overlooking the San Diego Skyline from the Coronado Ferry Landing Including Coronado Bridge

Photo by SJF Communications

Colorful Places, Flowers and Things

Photo by SJF Communications

Birds Galore! Osprey, Northern Rough-Winged Sparrow, Rock Pigeons, Cormorant, Black Turnstone, California & Western Gulls

Photo by SJF Communications

The Glorietta Bay Marina Area

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Bird Watching & Photography at Lake Hodges, Escondido, CA

A great morning hike and “Birding with a Camera” at Lake Hodges, Bernardo Bay Staging Area, at the San Dieguito River Park Trail

with

Senior Ranger Dave Hekel and Krisztina Sheeff, KS Nature Photography.

Here’s a short video to recap the morning…

Disclaimer: I am still learning….Birds (and butterflies) were moving QUICKLY and I am quite new at using the Manual settings on my camera! So…my shots aren’t the most focused…

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Art in Nature on a Sunday…

It was a beautiful Sunday and as usual I had my camera with me!

Snapped some photos at Liberty Station as well as on Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch (Carmel Valley), San Diego. Feel free to click on each photo for more detail…

This was my view of downtown San Diego looking south from Liberty Station

Looking South from Liberty Station Photo by SJF Communications

Loved this Coral Tree at Liberty Station!

Coral Tree – Photo by SJF Communications

I was captivated watching these great blue herons at Liberty Station!

Great Blue Heron – Photo by SJF Communications

Great Blue Herons – Photo by SJF Communications

Great Blue Heron – Photo by SJF Communications

Saw (and definitely HEARD) several airplanes taking off above Liberty Station

At Liberty Station – Photo by SJF Communications

And again witnessed the lantana’s #artinnature and #natureasart (Liberty Station)

Lantanas – Photo by SJF Communications

Loved the color combination here!

Kanaka Canoe Landing – Photo by SJF Communications

Then ventured out for a walk on the Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch

Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch – Carmel Valley – San Diego Photo by SJF Communications

A beautiful white-crowned sparrow (Manzanita Trail, Carmel Valley, San Diego) !

White-Crowned Sparrow Photo by SJF Communications

Saw (and heard) this lovely Song Sparrow (Manzanita Trail, Carmel Valley, San Diego) !

Song Sparrow Photo by SJF Communications

Blue Lupine Perennials (Manzanita Trail Carmel Valley San Diego)!

Blue Lupine Perennials (Manzanita Trail Carmel Valley San Diego)! Photo by SJF Communications

A Black Phoebe – (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)

Black Phoebe – Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego Photo by SJF Communications

Finally, an Allen’s Hummingbird (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)!

Allen’s Hummingbird (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)! Photo by SJF Communications

All in all, a wonderful day!

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National Poetry Writing Month Day #3 ‘Thriving’ – Haiku & Photos

In honor of National Poetry Writing Month (#napowrimo) I have mastered the first few days in previous blog posts and am attempting to keep it going (with and without prompts)!

As I have stated previously, I’ve been a Mentor at San Diego State University in their Aztec Mentor Program since 2016. Mentoring has been an inspirational and enjoyable way to connect with and guide students as a role model, share wisdom and give back to one’s community.

Today, I arrived early and was waiting for my first of two mentees to join me for our biweekly in-person session.

Alas: a Haiku blossomed!

Once I returned home for the day, I walked around our general neighborhood and snapped some photos (which to me depict #artinnature #natureasart). The photos are attached below!

As the season of Spring has sprung and as nature evolves – my burgeoning Mentees have been flourishing as well! May they thrive and prosper! Thus…my tribute to them!

Haiku: ‘Thriving’

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. First a bit timid

Some were not sure of themselves

UNLOCK THIS PUZZLE!

2. Meetings in person

Twice a month and face to face

WE TACKLED ISSUES

3. College term (or two)

Seeing growth and confidence

REVIEWED PLANS, COURSES

4. Held their heads up high

Enriched, mature, and ready

GRADUATING SOON!

5. LinkedIn and Job Fairs

Aced interviews, networked

THESE…ARE MY MENTEES!

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Cloudy & Chilly Day Bird Watching (& Haiku)- San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

A chilly cloudy day with some cool sightings at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy with a #Haiku.

Photos and Haiku by Susan Farese, SJF Communications

Ode to Bird Watching!

Bird Watching is FUN!

Challenging and exciting

(But pay attention)!

All of a sudden

One might grace with their presence

And poof…they fly past!

Camera in hand

Mastering all the settings

Stay still – just don’t move!

Nothing like photos

Displaying what you’ve captured

I LOVE BIRD WATCHING!

Here are some photos – feel free to click on each one!

Buffleheads – Photo by SJF Communications

American Wigeon Pair – (Male on the right) Photo by SJF Communications

Willet – Photo by SJF Communications

Black Phoebe – Photo by SJF Communications

Willet – Photo by SJF Communications

Adeplha Californica Butterfly Photo by SJF Communications

Sora – Photo by SJF Communications

Mallards – Photo by SJF Communications

Snowy Egret – Photo by SJF Communications

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Butterflies on Parade – Haiku & Photos: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

I have been delighted with some great perks and benefits with my Keepers Club Membership at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

We visited a great new exhibit, “Butterfly Jungle” at the Safari Park in Escondido, California the other day…

Please note: The Butterfly Jungle is only open now through April 15th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A few words to the wise! Be prepared to wait! This is a very popular exhibit! (For an extra fee of $20 you can move up in line).

Once you’re inside, they will allow you to marvel at and photograph these lovely colorful butterflies.

What a hoot! The butterflies love bright colors, so feel free to wear them! They will gladly land on you! You’ll chuckle with delight!

It’s a blast!

Here’s my #Haiku to kick off National Poetry Writing Month (#NaPoWriMo) and Global Poetry Writing Month (#glopowrimo):

Haiku: Sweet Butterflies

SJF Communications

Fickle flutterers

Quick, vividly colorful

Dainty butterflies

They might land on you

If so, they invite your grin

Butterflies marvel!

Oh…another important note (per the ambassadors): No touching the butterflies or taking them out of the area with you!

These sweet creatures are endangered, so there will be several ‘exit stations’ where the Safari Park Ambassadors will have you “turn around’ and ‘shake it out’ to ensure that no butterflies are resting on your clothes, backpacks, hats, etc!

It’s all worth it though! Although there was an elusive few that flew so quickly that by the time I had my camera ready they were gone!

I am looking forward to going again soon! Hurry, the exhibit closes on April 15th!

Check out these photos and feel free to click on each one for more detail!

Paper Kite – Photo by SJF Communications

Postman – Photo by SJF Communications

Rusty-Tipped Page – Photo by SJF Communications

Giant Owl – Photo by SJF Communications

Giant Owls – Photo by SJF Communications

Flowers that invite butterflies to visit! – Photo by SJF Communications

More flowers that invite butterflies to visit! – Photo by SJF Communications

Click here for info about the:

San Diego Safari Park

San Diego Zoo

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Bird Watching (& More) in Julian, CA

It’s always a breath of fresh air (at an altitude of 4226 ft of glorious elevation) for a visit to Julian, California, including a stop at this time at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve!

Here’s a look at what I captured with my camera recently.

Feel free to click on each photo!

Bird Watching!

Acorn Woodpecker Photo By SJF Communications 2018

More Bird Sightings!

Western Bluebird Photo by SJF Communications 2018

Dark-Eyed Junco Pink-Sided Photo by SJF Communications 2018

Band-Tailed Pigeons
Photo by SJF Communications 2018

White-Crowned Sparrow
Photo by SJF Communications 2018

California Scrub Jay Photo by SJF Communications 2018

More images from the day in Julian-

Click on each photo for a larger look!

Julian, CA; Photos by SJF Communications 2018

Then – a stop at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve

Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve Photo by SJF Communications 2018

Until Next Time!

Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve Photo by SJF Communications 2018

Wild Turkeys also leaving the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve Photo by SJF Communications 2018

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Nature Trail Photos at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

A Relaxing Past Time

I spent a delightful afternoon wandering about by bird watching and enjoying nature’s foliage, views and more at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy – a Southern California nonprofit land trust which is part of the nearly 1000-acre San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, bordered by the northern San Diego areas of Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.

I began my solo stroll at the ‘green’ San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center (2710 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007). The volunteers and rangers were very helpful with information. I gave a donation and visited the interactive exhibits. The Nature Center sells limited items such as maps, books, snacks/drinks etc.

I embarked on my journey by following the beautiful trail. Here are some photos from the day!

Nature Center and Trail

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

I visited during low tide and was able to see a variety of shore birds at the mud flats. The trail is quite easy to navigate (it also includes ADA accessible boardwalk). There are natural-looking overlooks and benches for those who’d like a rest, or just sit and observe!

Bird Watching!

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

Bufflehead

American Wigeon

White-Crowned Sparrow

Mallards

Snowy Egret

Yellow Common Throat

The Mallards!

More Bird Watching!

Enjoying the Surroundings!

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

I also enjoyed admiring the foliage and surroundings. Here’s a peek at what I saw that day…Spring has sprung indeed!

Arroyo Willow

Climbing Milkweed

Sea Dahlia

Pine Cone

Torrey PInes

Such a wonderful day!

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Video: A Bird Watching Visit to Santee Lakes (San Diego, California)

My husband and I recently thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon at Santee Lakes. We walked around several of the lakes for fitness and I did some incredible bird watching!

Here’s a short video:

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Torrey Pines State Beach: Dolphins & Sandpipers & Pelicans…Oh My!

I am spoiled! Living so close to the beach is one thing, but even better is the fact that we’re near Torrey Pines State Beach!

Torrey Pines State Beach is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California and approximately 1.5 miles West of Interstate 5 at Carmel Valley Road in San Diego. Here is a cool visitors guide for Torrey Pines State Beach including parking rate information from the San Diego Tourism Authority as well as information about the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Daily rates: $10-15 Monday-Thursday; $12-20 Friday-Sunday and Holidays. Click for info on Annual Passes.

As I have stated before, #TorreyPinesStateBeach is my ‘go to’ place to walk for fitness, stroll, socialize, observe the #artinnature and #natureasart. I like to visually capture interesting images.

Here are a few images from my most recent March, 2018 visit…I also saw a whale spouting, but it was so fast I couldn’t capture it quickly enough with a photo!

The Entrance to Torrey Pines State Beach

Things Happen in Threes!

Wouldn’t you know…I glanced up and saw a pelican, dolphin and helicopter in the distance!

Things Happen in Threes!

Some images from the afternoon!

A Sandpiper Enjoying a Snack from the Ocean!

And a Classic Sandpiper Pose!

A Seagull in Flight!

Shells a Plenty!

Pelicans in Formation on Parade!

Ocean Friendship: A Pelican with a Dolphin!

Dolphin Fin!

Dolphin Swimming!

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Haiku: ‘Thriving’

1.

First a bit timid

Some were not sure of themselves

UNLOCK THIS PUZZLE!

2.

Meetings in person

Twice a month and face to face

WE TACKLED ISSUES

3.

College term (or two)

Seeing growth and confidence

REVIEWED PLANS, COURSES

4.

Held their heads up high

Enriched, mature, and ready

GRADUATING SOON!

5.

LinkedIn and Job Fairs

Aced interviews, networked

THESE…ARE MY MENTEES!

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Ode to Bird Watching!

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Haiku: Sweet Butterflies

Click here for info about the:

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Here’s a look at what I captured with my camera recently.

Feel free to click on each photo!

Bird Watching!

More Bird Sightings!

More images from the day in Julian-

Click on each photo for a larger look!

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A Relaxing Past Time

Nature Center and Trail

Bird Watching!

The Mallards!

More Bird Watching!

Enjoying the Surroundings!

Such a wonderful day!