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.
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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This time I enjoyed the day with my Goddaughter Caroline, and her one of her best friends, Tori!
Susan and Caroline. Photo by Tori TrexelTori 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!
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!
Jaguar; Photo by SJF Communications
Jaguar; Photo by SJF Communications
Polar Bear
Polar Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Koalas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Koala Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Koala Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutans – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorillas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Gorilla; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorillas; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorilla; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Giraffes – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF CommunicationsGlorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF CommunicationsGlorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF CommunicationsGlorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications
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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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
Coral Tree – Photo by SJF Communications
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 Heron – Photo by SJF Communications
Great Blue Herons – Photo by SJF Communications
Great Blue Heron – 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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A quick visit to Lake Poway today yielded a few surprises! Once we arrived it only took a few minutes to see a ‘capture’ of a baby rattlesnake, reported to the ranger by a man fishing along the water’s edge.
Only a few minutes later, someone behind us shouted ‘he’s got a fish’! We looked up to notice just that! Perched high above on a utility pole, an osprey was holding a fish. He soon took off! The photos below show a bit of the dramatic feat!
Here’s a short #haiku (Day #4 of National Poetry Writing Month hashtag: #napowrimo)!
Perched high, above pole
The osprey held on to prey
Then it flew away!
Osprey Perched with Prey – Photo by SJF Communications
Osprey Perched with Prey – Photo by SJF Communications
Osprey Perched with Prey – Take Off! Photo by SJF Communications
Osprey Perched with Prey – Holding On – Photo by SJF Communications
Wasn’t that osprey cool???
We walked along the water, taking in sights such as the beautiful blue sky and calm water of the Lake Poway. A few people were fishing, a few boating. Just a gorgeous afternoon.
More #Haiku
Crystal blue water
Perfect way to spend the day
Nature enriches
Entrance to Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Cormorants – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Coots and a Mallard – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Coot – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Picnic Area at Lake Poway – Photo by SF Communications
Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Mallards – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
OH NO!!!!! We suddenly spotted this snake- rattlesnake? (or gopher snake?…it was a few feet long) – just as we walked above (and to the left) of the trail around the lake. That was enough for me! Beware, it’s SPRING and the rattlers are awakening!
Last #Haiku
I ask you…take heed
The rattlesnakes are lurking
Avoid getting bit!
Rattlesnake – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
Whew, that rattler was scary! At the end of the trip we noticed this woman who caught some trout. She allowed me to snap this photo!
Trout! Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications
All in all a wonderful time at Lake Poway!
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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
Acorn Woodpecker Photo By SJF Communications 2018
Acorn Woodpecker Photo By SJF Communications 2018
Acorn Woodpecker Photo By SJF Communications 2018
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
California Scrub Jay Photo by SJF Communications 2018
