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
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
American Wigeon
White-Crowned Sparrow
White-Crowned Sparrow
Mallards
Snowy Egret
Yellow Common Throat
The Mallards!
MallardMallards
More Bird Watching!
OspreyDouble-Crested Cormorant
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!
Snowy Egret
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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!
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!
Rocks within rocks!
Ocean movement
Lovely waves!
A Sandpiper Enjoying a Snack from the Ocean!
And a Classic Sandpiper Pose!
And a classic Sandpiper Pose!
A Seagull in Flight!
A Seagull in Flight
Shells a Plenty!
Shells a Plenty!
Pelicans in Formation on Parade!
Pelicans in Formation on Parade!
Ocean Friendship: A Pelican with a Dolphin!
Ocean Friendship: A Pelican with a Dolphin!
Dolphin Fin!
Dolphin Fin!
Dolphin Swimming!
Dolphin Swimming!
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A place that never ceases to amaze me is Torrey Pines State Beach! It 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.
#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 of my photos from yesterday’s walk.
Beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach! Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Sandstone Cave-Like Area! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Amazing Sandstone Rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A very lovely shell amidst the rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Heart Rock Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
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#202-204, Barracks 16, 2nd floor above Women’s Museum
Hope to see you at this engaging, non-traditional, interactive (and hopefully fun) journey “Capturing your Creativity with Haiku”- for the fun and health of it.
Bring your open mind, active imagination, sense of humor, zest for life, quest for fun while learning and willingness to participate. Satisfaction? Poetically guaranteed!
We will chat about Haiku as a Japanese poetry form with ease of use, explore the benefits and value of Haiku as a cathartic, therapeutic, stress management tool and actively participate in several creative Haiku opportunities and challenges!
During the Thanksgiving Holiday, we had an enjoyable mountain getaway day trip to Julian, California. (We usually travel the less than an hour road trip from San Diego each year).
Julian is a picturesque, historic gold-mining town that exudes lots of charm!
This time, my daughter Emmy and her best friend Sydney were my traveling, shopping and dining buddies and also helped with photography.
Our day started with a delicious lunch at the Julian Grille.
Photos by SJF Communications
Afterwards we checked out the shops, enjoyed the apple pie at Mom’s Pies (oh yes, and the apple cider) and ventured to take in the autumn foliage, colorful leaves and beautiful scenery.
Of course, many photos were snapped that day and we want to share them with you! Overall a delightful day in Julian!
Hope you enjoy these photos of our spectacular crisply colorful autumn day! Click on individual photos to see more details!
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It’s great to enjoy an annual pass at the San Diego Zoo! It’s a quick getaway…since we live in San Diego!
Plus, there’s abundant sunshine, a fun way to walk my steps for fitness, and of course, getting to visit the wonderful animals and appreciate nature at the same time!
I decided to stroll around Balboa Park last evening with my camera in hand…and what a treat it was! Take a gander at some of the cool flowers, architecture, and more!
You can click on each photo for more detail!
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Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
California Tower, Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Casa Del Prado, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bridge at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Umbrellas and Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Check out these gorgeous flowers! Go ahead…click away to see the full images! Spectacular colors!
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
…Plus…some snapshots of this cute bunny posing and feasting!
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Finally, couldn’t resist taking photos of this beautiful fountain!
Fountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
I spent about 2 hours at the San Diego Zoo the other day. Had some time and brought my camera. Join me on this journey to only a few areas (the Hummingbird House, plus Gorillas and Orangutans and a special surprise at the end of my journey). My short visit was jam packed with memorable bursts of images!
Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail.
First, I visited the Hummingbird House or Aviary, which is a great little secret but tucked away and a bit challenging to find! As you enter the Zoo, turn left towards the Discovery Area towards the Sky Ride. Best to ask a guide..It’s to the right after the Reptile House, look for the red railing…More about the Kenton C. Lint Hummingbird Aviary
I snapped away at some very colorful birds as well as hummingbirds which enjoy the lush surroundings with flowers, nectar and feeders.
One of these days, I’d like to go on a trip to explore the different types!
Hummingbird perched
Hummingbird enjoying nectar
Hummingbird enjoying nectar
Hummingbird in flight
Gorillas
It was such a special treat to see the baby with Mom!
Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo
Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo
Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo
Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo
Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo
Orangutans
I also visited the Orangutan habitat. More joy with another young one to watch with Mom and Dad!
Mom and Baby Orangutans
Mom and Baby Orangutans
Finally, my big surprise was to spot a peacock near the squawking in the flamingo area, alone in a corner. I waited until he faced front. What beautiful plume feathers! Take a look!
Peacock at the San Diego Zoo
Peacock at the San Diego Zoo
Peacock at the San Diego Zoo
Thanks for taking the time to journey with me! Feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!
Celebrating the Earth and the Day…One Flower or Image at a Time!
It was a beautiful San Diego day last Sunday, April 23, 2017. I was meeting friends from the East Coast at the San Diego Zoo. Little did I know that Balboa Park was celebrating Earth Day, and it was extremely crowded! Parking took forever! But lo and behold, I finally was able to park and decided to capture some images of the afternoon at Balboa Park en route to meeting my friends.
Most of the images are flowers. That’s celebrating the Earth, right???
Feel free to enjoy these images by clicking on each one.
My serendipitous connection with two-time Telly Award winning Filmmaker Sue Vicory began in 2015. It was meant to be! San Diego filmmaker/entrepreneur/educator Jodi Cilley, the President of the Film Consortium San Diego and the founder and producer of the annual San Diego Film Awards (and an equally extraordinary person) recommended that I connect with her film colleague Sue. Jodi was so intuitive in facilitating our connection (which I hope will last a lifetime)!
Sue Vicory with Jodi Cilley (courtesy photo-Jodi Cilley)
A quote about Sue from Jodi:
“Sue Vicory is one of the most inspiring and amazing people I know. She has dedicated her life to helping others and has gone out of her way to help build the film industry in San Diego in a variety of ways. She is a role model and I’m constantly amazed by her efforts to help people from all walks of life.” – Jodi Cilley
After reaching out to Sue via email, my daughter Emmy and I were cast in the short fiction film Downstage for the 2015 San Diego 48 Hour Film Project. Sue’s production company “Heartland Films” produced and Sue directed, along with the writing team of Sariann Monaco, Holly Rone and Talia Pauletti. “Team XX” was a history-making, twenty-five member, all-female team. Downstage is now on the film festival circuit. You can view Sue’s films and videos on Sue Vicory’s YouTube Channel. Read my previous post about Team XX .
Team XX at Filming of Downstage (courtesy photo-Sue Vicory)
Besides working on Downstage Emmy and I have participated in a few of Sue’s community service projects and we continually network. It was because of witnessing Sue’s purpose, passion, vigor and selfless “chill” demeanor that I decided to interview her here as an Extraordinary Person, Sharing her Story!
Sue is currently on an amazing one year trip across the U.S. in her branded van with her “extraordinary” “My Power of One” (MPO1) 12 Acts of Kindness National Tour”. Her recently retired and extremely supportive husband Jay and their amazing (will tell you why later) Golden Retriever Kacy are accompanying her.
