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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A Visit to Ramona, CA

We spent an afternoon in Ramona and took in the sights of the

Ramona Grasslands County Preserve

and the

Kohill Winery.

Hope you enjoy this video!

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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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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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Magnificent Sunset Cliffs – Despite the May Grays

It’s that time again in San Diego…The marine layer is proudly beaming lately and we kid about it as ‘May Gray’.

I visited Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma on May 21st and was delighted with such natural beauty there…

Take a gander at these photos.

Not a sunny day, but I still witnessed gorgeous rock formations, caves, wildflowers and waves…

YES: #artinnature, #natureasart!

Haiku

May Gray Gazing

by

Susan J. Farese

Dreary May gray skies

Chilly, damp, the winds shall blow

But stunning photos!

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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

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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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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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!