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.
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!
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!
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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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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Photo: Courtesy of Westwind Brass Left to right: Dr. Eric Starr, Bryan Smith, Elizabeth Howard, Barry Toombs, John Wilds, Karl Soukup
Westwind Brass Announces Summer Brass Workshop
At SDSU School of Music & Dance
June 25-29, 2018
Free Concert June 30th at 1:00 pm
The Westwind Brass, San Diego’s premier professional brass ensemble, and an Ensemble-in-Residence at the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance, announces their exciting interactive 2018 Summer Brass Workshop at SDSU, June 25- 29, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.. This fun-filled week culminates in a free afternoon concert with the participant ensembles, on Saturday, June 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the School of Music and Dance.
The musicians of The Westwind Brass Ensemble are Elizabeth Howard, John Wilds and Karl Soukup (trumpets), Barry Toombs (horn), Eric Starr (trombone) and Bryan Smith (tuba).
“Each year, this week provides a cross-generational environment where we all have a chance to explore and develop skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity; and to engender a larger sense of community.”- Westwind Brass Executive Director: Barry Toombs (French Horn)
“The participants, young and old, receive an opportunity to work with some of the finest brass musicians in southern California. It is fun, informative, and relative to the music in their daily lives. What’s more, they have a chance to play in what will be, I believe, the greatest brass ensemble of their lives!”– Westwind Brass Director Educational and Outreach Programs: Bryan Smith
Photo Courtesy of Westwind Brass
Activities will include: Master Classes, Sectional Coaching, Ensemble Playing, Individual and Group Performances. Private lessons will be made available during the mornings for an additional fee.
In addition to the more traditional brass instrument training and ensemble experiences, this workshop will feature mini-seminars on such topics as sustainable practice routines; learning and performing solos; making use of technology in your music; and an interactive introduction to jazz and improvisation.
The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music. Westwind Brass musicians perform in various configurations of featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level. Westwind Brass is a 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit Guidestar.org.
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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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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!
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
by
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 CommunicationsRusty-Tipped Page – Photo by SJF Communications
Giant Owl – Photo by SJF CommunicationsGiant Owl – 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 CommunicationsMore flowers that invite butterflies to visit! – Photo by SJF Communications
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
