A Quick Visit to the San Diego Zoo

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!

This past week, I visited the Hummingbird Aviary House, as well as the Gorilla, Orangutan and Reptile Exhibits (and loved photographing the beautiful hibiscus flowers)!

Hope you all enjoy these snapshots! Go ahead…click on each photo to see it enlarged!

Oh..and feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!

SJF Communications

The Hummingbirds & Other Birds

The Reptiles

The Gorillas

The Orangutans

The Hibiscus Flowers

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Marveling at the San Diego Zoo!

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.

Violaceous Euphonia

Swallow Tanager

Colorful Bird

Colorful Birds

Hummingbirds

I love hummingbird watching!

One of these days, I’d like to go on a trip to explore the different types!

Hummingbird perched

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

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

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

Thanks for taking the time to journey with me! Feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!

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Discovering Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach

Torrey Pines State Beach (below Torrey Pines State Reserve), is one of my favorite “go to”places in San Diego.

Why? Because it is always different, each time I visit. I always seem to “see” art in nature…

The sandstone bluff rock formations and cliffs are majestic and magnificent. The amazing ocean with constantly changing tides speaks for itself. Nature abounds with animals and birds. I just marvel at the beauty. I also try bring my camera and snap away at what I see before me. Plus the extra added value of exercise as I stroll along the beach.

Last week, I spotted a few treasures which I captured photographically. I saw the blue Velella Vellela jellyfish (also called ‘by the wind sailors’ due to their resembling a sailboat), the pelicans continuously flew by back and forth in formation (although there are always a few stragglers ‘doing their own thing’), an egret graced the sand at the shoreline and then flew away (which I was fortunate to take a few photos of). Also of note, a peregrine falcon which was perched high above (several photographers had their long lenses prepped and were telling me how the falcon “Dad’ was so greedy and wouldn’t share food with his partner for her and the babies). I certainly hope this changes and those ‘babies’ thrive soon and the female gets more nourishment!

An amazing find of the day, I almost stepped upon. It was my first encounter with a juvenile eared grebe. It was sitting alone on the beach near the shoreline. Its striking orange eye captivated me. It was just sitting there…It looked healthy yet something didn’t seem “right” since it was ‘picking’ at it’s feathers every few seconds. Before I left, I called the ranger station and reported it. They arrived and said they would not be able to do anything themselves, but would call the “bird people”, I hope they did…

Pelicans on Parade

Wild Wingspan

Pelicans Flyover

Another Pelican Formation

Torrey Pines State Beach

Rocking in the Ocean

Velella Velella

Jelly on a Rock

Torrey Pines State Beach

Peregrine Falcon Mama

Egret Taking Off!

Egret Beauty!

Egret Coasting!

Egret Alignment!

Eared Grebe at Torrey Pines State Beach

Do you see art in nature? Do you enjoy breathing in the ocean air? Do you reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to see so many wonderful species and celebrate gifts of the earth? I highly encourage you to if you can.

Thanks for stopping by at SJF Communications! Please feel free to “like”, “subscribe” “comment”, and “share”!

July 18, 2016November 6, 2016 susanfarese

More Hummingbirds: Tiny Magnificent Creatures!

I continually marvel at hummingbirds…such tiny magnificent magical creatures!

Their stunning colorful beauty, their speed, their zest for the “hummingbird life”….

It beats watching the news these days. It inspires my creative spirit and hope!

I’ve combined some poetry (Haiku), video footage and photographic images just for you!

Hummingbirds: A Haiku:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. Fluttering about

Zooming, oh, so rapidly

Marvelous colors!

2. Hummingbird magic

Unique, beautiful creatures

Don’t fly away, stay!

Here is a short video from today. See these lovely hummingbirds in action as they fly continuously over to the feeders and enjoy nectar, hover, and then dance away!

And now…some photographic images!

Hopefully these hummingbird images will captivate you and yours too!

Enjoy!

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hummer1 — Red-headed Male Anna Hummingbird looking up at the nectar!

hummer3.winner — Beautiful aqua and green coat Anna Hummingbird

happyhummer — Anna is almost at the nectar finish line!

hummer.stick — Anna Hummingbird on a twig

hummer2 — Male Anna hummingbird enjoying the afternoon!

hummer26.comingin — Circling the nectar feeder

hummer23.lookinatyou — Doesn’t this male Anna hummingbird look like a halo above his head? Wings!

hummer22 — I can taste that nectar already!

hummer21.two — Two hummingbirds negotiating!

hummer18.red — “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid”, said the male Anna hummingbird!

hummer17.red — Headshot! Male Anna hummingbird

hummer12.matte — Which way did they go?? Male Anna hummingbird

hummer10 — Male Anna hummingbird looking up to the sky!

hummer9.two — I was there first! No, I was! OK, let’s eat!

hummer3.branch — Male Anna hummingbird on a palm leaf!

hummer2.branch — See? A palm leaf! Told you!

Hope you enjoyed the poem, video and photos from SJF Communications!

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March 25, 2015March 25, 2015 susanfarese

A Peregrine Falcon & Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego

I Spied a Peregrine Falcon!

I love living in the San Diego area. Every time I visit Torrey Pines State Beach I discover something different and magical!

Couldn’t believe my luck today when I saw a fellow photographer ahead of me, with his camera and large lens, looking up at the rock formations.

He told me about seeing two peregrine falcons. We spotted one of them perched high up, atop a rock formation.

I zoomed in and snapped several photos for your viewing!

Peregrine Falcon at Torrey Pines State Beach

I also marveled at how much beauty and “art” there is in nature. Here are a few photos that demonstrate patterns, colors, textures, etc. in today’s ‘beach finds”

Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach

Finally, here are a few more photos from today. A group of college students from Vermont were enjoying Spring Break at Torrey Pines State Beach near Flat Rock .

Here are some photos!

Rock Formation at Torrey Pines State Beach

March 23, 2015March 23, 2015 susanfarese

Spring has Sprung! Cormorants Perched at Torrey Pines State Beach (San Diego County) Plus a Few Flowers to Enjoy!

I can’t get enough of the natural beauty at Torrey Pines State Beach!

Simply sharing with you a few glimpses from my “low tide” TPSB stroll where I spotted two cormorants perched atop a rock.

Besides viewing the cormorants, enjoy these snapshots of gorgeous spring flowers (seen on the neighborhood), a cool rock formation and a “heat map” of hangliders!

Have a fantastic week and try to do something creative each day!

Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 susanfarese

Torrey Pines State Reserve & Beach Hike: Magnificent Nature (Even a Drone)!

This morning I enjoyed a wonderful hike with my friend Ninon at Torrey Pines State Reserve. We walked up the hill from the parking lot. (Usually $12/day, but for locals like us, it pays to buy a “California Explorer” Annual Pass which gives access to California State Parks).

Looking North West from Torrey Pines State Reserve

A lone Torrey Pines tree at Torrey PInes State Reserve

We spotted a “Scrub Jay” blue bird

Scrub Jay in Tree at at Torrey Pines State Reserve

We both admired the beautiful Pacific Ocean views from atop the cliffs

Susan at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Ninon at Torrey Pines State Reserve

We admired several rock formations

Susan admiring Rock Formations at Torrey Pines State Reserve

And savored the gorgeous ocean views from atop the cliffs

Cliffs Overlooking the Beautiful Pacific Ocean

We finally made it to the view of Flat Rock!

We took the beach trail and observed several wild yellow, and orange flowers blooming.

The trail led us to gorgeous majestic views of the blue-green hued Pacific Ocean. Then we took the steps down to Torrey Pines State Beach below.

View of La Jolla at Torrey Pines State Reserve — View of Flat Rock & La Jolla in the Distance at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Then lo and behold…all of a sudden, as we ventured down the steps to Torrey Pines State Beach, we spotted a DRONE in the sky!

JIm Gleason's Drone in the Sky at Torrey Pines State Beach — JIm Gleason’s Drone in the Sky at Torrey Pines State Beach

Here’s a short video of the drone landing!

Which led us to meet “Droner” Jim Gleason, a freelance videographer, originally from San Diego but visiting from Austria with his wife Camille, who is a Scientist with Novartis Pharmaceuticals.