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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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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A Poem & Artistic ‘Finds’ at Torrey Pines State Beach

A poem and some photos from today’s fitness walk at

Torrey Pines State Beach!

‘Mother Nature Evokes’!

by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Art in Nature! Nature as Art!

Captured with my lens -Doing my part

I acknowledge, respect and document

And sprinkle emotional sentiment!

It magnifies the magnificence

It clarifies the significance

And so, do you agree, with me?

Then snap away, draw, paint, dance or sing

Cherish Mother Nature somehow every day…

So that in your own way – nature’s truth will ring!

Torrey Pines State Beach; ‘Looking South’; Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2018

Torrey Pines State Beach; ‘Steps leading to (or from) the Torrey Pines State Reserve’; Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2018

Torrey Pines State Beach; ‘Sandstone Rocks with Blue Sky and the Sea’; Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2018

Torrey Pines State Beach; ‘Almost at Flat Rock’; Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2018

Torrey Pines State Beach; ‘Heart Shaped Rock (by default)!; Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2018

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Torrey Pines State Beach: A Crowned Jewel of San Diego!

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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Capturing your Creativity: Haiku Poetry with Susan J. Farese 4/7/18 at San Diego Writers Ink

Please join me at my next SJF Communications Workshop:

‘Capturing your Creativity: Haiku Poetry’

with Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Saturday, April 7, 2018 – 2:30 – 4:30 pm (All levels welcome)

at San Diego Writers Ink

Arts District Liberty Station

2730 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego 92106

#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.

$30 (members); $36 (nonmembers)

Here is the link to register!

http://www.sandiegowriters.org/17050-2/

Bio for Susan J. Farese

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!

Here’s one for you:

Exploring Haiku…

Like Hummingbirds during Spring

Resurfaced, renewed

Registration Link: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/

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Photos and Fun Exploring Julian, California!

Apple pie, apple cider, photos

…and lots of cool shops and restaurants!

We’re sold on JULIAN!

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.

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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