Lake Miramar Loop Trail

I spent a late morning into the early afternoon at Lake Miramar (also known as the Miramar Reservoir) in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego, walking along the 5 mile paved Loop Trail.

The address is: 10710 Scripps Lake Dr., San Diego, CA 92131

There were beautiful views throughout!

Feel free to click on each photo for a larger view!

I took a detour and hiked a bit below the paved trail on the dirt path.

Little bird watching surprises: a Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Western Grebe, Gadwall, Snow Goose, Cassin’s Kingbird and of course, plenty of Mallards and Coots!

No swimming, but there’s fishing and bike rentals!

Besides people walking and jogging, there were many on bikes and one on roller skates!

 

If you go: bring WATER to drink. Yes, there are plenty of portable toilets along the trail.

There’s plenty of parking as well.

Here’s a short video from the day!

 

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Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications Photography – Video Montage

I had the amazing opportunity this past Wednesday to attend the Annual SD Media Pros Showcase at Angelika Film Center in Carmel Mountain, San Diego and present a video montage of my photography.

This was a wonderful sold-out event at a beautiful theatre (one of my personal favorite places to see films) with nearly 30 projects (some of my colleagues also presented) shown on the big screen that evening!

So…sit back, relax and enjoy this clip of some of my photography!

 

Credits:

Music: ‘Driven to Success’ by Scott Holmes

Photos by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Headshots and Editorial shots courtesy of : 

Max Cadillac, Ann Stowe, Emmy Farese, Sebastian Slovin and Sonya Mohamed

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A Visit to the Batiquitos Lagoon

My friend and I recently decided to ‘get our steps’ and visit the coastal wetland at the

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail,  located in Carlsbad.

We walked 1.5 miles of the north side of the trail and back again.

It was a beautiful, enjoyable day in nature!

We saw the glistening blue water of the lagoon, a variety of shorebirds and other varieties of birds, beautiful aromatic eucalyptus trees, wildflowers complete with bees, a woodpile of artistic tree rings, several inviting thatched roof benches for resting and viewing the lagoon, a lizard on a rock, and much more. We were inspired with so much beauty surrounding us!

We chatted, laughed and decided to plan on excursions such as this in the future.

After our walk we stopped in the Nature Center, which is open:

Monday through Friday from 9 am – 12:30 pm

and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am – 3 pm

Feel free to enjoy these photos! Click on each one to see a larger version!

Here is the link again:

http://www.batiquitosfoundation.org/

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San Dieguito River Park – Del Mar

 

Fun time strolling at the San Dieguito River Park in Del Mar today despite the heat and humidity in the San Diego area!  Shorebirds are thriving there and the water was crystal blue. Two Great White Egrets were in a tizzy, I saw a flock of Kildeer hurrying above yapping away (who knows why), a European Starling (I think) and a few gulls too! Panoramic view of the lagoon, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Viewpoint Brewery , the #5, then West towards the ocean.

Here’s a short video. Enjoy !

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A Visit to the Buena Vista Audubon & the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation

 

We spent an afternoon walking along the trails and  exploring bird watching (and more)

at two North County San Diego areas –

the Buena Vista Audubon in Oceanside & the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation in Carlsbad.

Not too many bird sightings but…the beautiful wild flowers and stunning nature captivated us as usual!

My favorite find of the day: The dragonfly !

Here’s a short video.

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Shorebirds at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Trail

Had a great afternoon bird watching with my husband at the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail  (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.

Despite the dredging and restoration lately, we saw some incredible shorebirds : The Great White Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Black-Crowned Night Heron as well as Mallards.

There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.

Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the  San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

 

Here’s a short video….

 

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Look Out! It’s a Bird…or Two…or Three – Bird Watching at Santee Lakes!

Santee Lakes in San Diego County is a great place for bird and waterfowl watching! So many varieties can be spotted throughout the year! Here is a PDF Santee Lakes Birdlist as of 2016.

I’ve made a short video from my brief visit the other day. A Great White Egret was the highlight! Also spotted Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Mallards, Canada Geese, Pied-Billed Grebe, and of course, Coots!

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A Visit to la Jolla

I strolled along the La Jolla coastline the other day (mostly on Coast Blvd.) I discovered really cool breathtaking views, caves, cliffs, the La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool, the back of the La Valencia Hotel, beach goers, sea lions and seals, cormorants, and even some beautiful flowers!

Here’s a short video which captured some of the sights!

 

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A Quick Visit: San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Loop Trail

I had some free time and took advantage of a wonderful mini-escape to nature!

Here’s a short video to recap my time strolling throughout the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail  (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.

There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.

Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the  San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

 

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An Afternoon at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

My husband and I enjoyed a delightful afternoon enjoying the benefits of my Keepers Club Pass at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California. The advantages: I can always bring a guest, I can enjoy the free parking (usually $15), and there are new exhibits every once in awhile to take in and experience. (Oh, we also walked about 10,000 steps too)!

Here’s a short video recap of our day! Hope you enjoy it!

 

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Fun at the San Diego Zoo…and Then Some!!

Yet another fun afternoon of fun and adventure at the world famous San Diego Zoo – thanks to my Keeper’s Club Pass.

Keeper’s Club Pass. Photo by SJF Communications

This time I enjoyed the day with my Goddaughter Caroline, and her one of her best friends, Tori!

Susan and Caroline. Photo by Tori Trexel
Tori and Caroline; Photo by SJF Communications

We spent several hours enjoying the weather, scenery, botanical treasures and of course phenomenal animal exhibits! Plus: an added bonus of walking (and strolling) at least our 10,000 steps (& beyond)!

Then we ventured out to Balboa Park for a lovely lunch at the Prado, complete with a pitcher of sangria before our delicious steak and chicken tacos (and fries) were delivered!

 

Tori, Susan and Caroline at the Prado Restaurant in balboa Park. Photo by a very kind member of the Prado Wait Staff!

We passed by Food Truck Friday too!

Caroline and Tori at Food Truck Friday at Balboa Park; Photo by SJF Communications

 

Caroline and Susan at Food Truck Friday at Balboa Park; Photo by Tori Trexel

Here are some more photos from our splendid day!

Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

First of all, my Mentee this past year in the San Diego State University’s Aztec Mentor Program, Senior Delaney Heil, (class of 2019) is thrilled to be interning this summer at the San Diego Zoo! She was our bus tour guide! Weren’t we the lucky ones! Besides driving that huge bus (oh my…I could NEVER), she was brilliantly humorous as she narrated along the way!

 

 

Delaney Heil; Photo by SJF Communications

 

Susan and Delaney; Photo by Caroline Brigham

And here are some photos of our very cool animal friends!

Flamingo

Flamingo; Photo by SJF Communications

Jaguar – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

Polar Bear

Polar Bear; Photo by SJF Communications

Koalas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

Orangutans – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

Gorillas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

Giraffes – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!

Elephant

Elephant; Photo by SJF Communications

California Condor

California Condor; Photo by SJF Communications

 

California Condor; California Condor; Photo by SJF Communications

 

Tapir; Photo by SJF Communications

Meerkat

Meerkat; Photo by SJF Communications

Capybara

Capybara; Photo by SJF Communications

Lion

Lion; Photo by SJF Communications

Pigmy Hippo

Pigmy Hippo; Photo by SJF Communications

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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
Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications
Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications
Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications

The Famous Coronado Beach and  Hotel Del Coronado

A Beautiful Great Blue Heron Enjoying Glorietta Bay

 

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

 Colorful Places, Flowers and Things

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

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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An Afternoon Trail Visit at San Dieguito River Park Trail

 

Exciting time bird watching and more in Del Mar (San Dieguito River Park Trail)!

Yep…a stingray!

Stingray Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Daddy Osprey watching closely!

Male Osprey Photo by SJF Communications

 

Cute bunny rabbit

Bunny Photo by SJF Communications

 

Egret with a twig

Egret with Twig Photo by SJF Communications

 

Killdeer (Lifer for me)

Killdeer Photo by SJF Communications

 

Egret and friend…

Great Egret and Friend Photo by SJF Communications

Eurasian Collared Doves

Eurasian Collared Doves – Photo by SJF Communications

Song Sparrow & Hummingbird

Song Sparrow & Hummingbird – Photo by SJF Communications

Snowy Egret

 

Flowers along the way…

 

Train passing with song sparrow and hummingbird…

 

Trail restoration project and views…

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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!

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

 

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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