We ‘Zoomed’ and Captured our Creativity with Haiku!

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A recap of our workshop w/connection, creativity and sharing!

Our 4/5/2020 Zoom class:
‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku’
Top – Left to Right: Bonnie, Susan, Millie
Bottom – Left to Right: Janice, Mary Jean, Lori

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Five lovely women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ through San Diego Writer’s, Ink via Zoom on April 5th 2020. Once I figured out the system (video, sound, muting, unmuting, locking, etc.), it was a blast!

It was my first time teaching with Zoom and now I am hooked! In fact, I am planning another virtual Haiku workshop via San Diego Writer’s, Ink tentatively on June 7th from 10-12 noon. Stay tuned for details TBA.

We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and Poetry. After that, we did an interactive interesting and most of all fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more.

Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!

Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts they chose that day!

Anna’s Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A simple creature

Delving into his sweetness

Bringing joy to all

– Lori

~

Hummingbird hornets

This Spring when hope hides from us

Kids drink from sippies

– Millie

Snowy Egret “Bad Hair Day” – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A morning outlook

Wind ruffling my feathers

What to do today

-Lori

~

Eager and ready

Able with wings to take flight

Planted feet instead

-Mary Jean

~

White feathers ruffle

Lake reflections wrinkles

The visible wind

-Bonnie

Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

New discovery

A promise of refreshment

Flies! They found this too

-Mary Jean

Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Water falls steady

From granite to constant lake

Upstaged by frailty

-Mary Jean

Joshua Tree Flowers – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Lupine violet

Rises above dusty green

Poking the still air

-Millie

Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Palm trees like bear hugs

Only my hairless arms wrap

Tomorrow your gaze clears

-Millie

Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Whirling eternal surf

Salty water splashes ashore

No virus in sea

-Janice

Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Stop full moon overhead

Secrets hide the dusky light

Car horn, now mundane

-Janice

Julian Leaves
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Crunchy leaves crackle

Sun comfort through bare branches

Seasons change, do I?

-Janice

Tahquitz Canyon Overlooking Palm Springs
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Puffy clouds hover

Gentle wind rustles leaves on trees

City sleeps, no danger.

-Janice

Plus, Lori and Mary Jean wrote some additional Haiku without photo prompts! Way to go!

To be deep in love

Pandemic keeps us apart

Makes me love you more

-Lori

~

Peeling the orange

Ripping the layers of flesh

Ahh! A squirt of scent

-Mary Jean

~

What a terrific time!

Connecting, creating and sharing!

Upcoming Haiku Workshops

To schedule a Haiku Workshop, please contact SJF Communications at:

408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com

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SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

San Dieguito River Park – Del Mar

 

Fun time strolling at the San Dieguito River Park in Del Mar today despite the heat and humidity in the San Diego area!  Shorebirds are thriving there and the water was crystal blue. Two Great White Egrets were in a tizzy, I saw a flock of Kildeer hurrying above yapping away (who knows why), a European Starling (I think) and a few gulls too! Panoramic view of the lagoon, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Viewpoint Brewery , the #5, then West towards the ocean.

Here’s a short video. Enjoy !

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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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Cali Daze! Photos: San Dieguito Lagoon, Delmar & Dog Beach, Gwen’s Garden, Solana Beach

I spent some time bird watching at the San Dieguito River Park Lagoon in Delmar and then took a stroll at Dog Beach and serendipitously discovered Gwen’s Garden in Solana Beach. Getting in touch with nature is one of the best feelings and having my camera handy to capture these moments is indescribable!

Hope you enjoy these photos!

San Dieguito River Park

 

Cormorant

 

Egret soaring

 

Egret relaxing with silhouette

 

The same fascinating egret!

 

Wildflowers along San Dieguito River

 

Purple wildflowers under the bridge

San Diego Fair…before the Fair Begins!

Dog Beach

Beach Volleyball

Del Mar Fair…before it opened!

All About Gwen’s Garden:

http://delmarsandpiper.org/Pages/News2018-02/Feb2918-17.html

https://www.gofundme.com/savethegardenatdogbeach

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An Afternoon Trail Visit at San Dieguito River Park Trail

 

Exciting time bird watching and more in Del Mar (San Dieguito River Park Trail)!

Yep…a stingray!

Stingray Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mama Osprey and Chicks Photo by SJF Communications

 

Daddy Osprey watching closely!

Male Osprey Photo by SJF Communications

 

Cute bunny rabbit

Bunny Photo by SJF Communications

 

Egret with a twig

Egret with Twig Photo by SJF Communications

 

Killdeer (Lifer for me)

Killdeer Photo by SJF Communications

 

Egret and friend…

Great Egret and Friend Photo by SJF Communications

Eurasian Collared Doves

Eurasian Collared Doves – Photo by SJF Communications

Song Sparrow & Hummingbird

Song Sparrow & Hummingbird – Photo by SJF Communications

Snowy Egret

 

Flowers along the way…

 

Train passing with song sparrow and hummingbird…

 

Trail restoration project and views…

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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…

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.

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A Few of My Views For All of You From The San Diego Zoo!

Happy New Year!

I love living in San Diego!  Of all the phenomenal attractions here, one that stands out among the rest is the world famous San Diego Zoo.  

I thoroughly enjoyed a long overdue zoo visit with family over the holidays. It was fantastic exercise walking throughout the zoo & the quality time spent with family was priceless!

We were fortunate to peer at one of the pandas that day, among many other species such as gorillas, orangutans, pelicans, hippos, lions, egrets, camels, eagles, elephants, giraffes etc.!

What a fun day (with such beautiful weather)!   

My favorite exhibits (as always) were the orangutans and gorillas- I could watch them all day!

Here are a few collage images to enjoy! Click on each collage to enlarge it…

Oh…and what are your favorite animals to see at the zoo?  

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San Diego Zoo Collage 1 by SJF Communications

San Diego Zoo Photo Collage # 1 by Susan Farese, SJF Communications

 

 

 

San Diego Zoo Collage # 2

San Diego Zoo Collage # 2 by Susan Farese, SJF Communications

 

 

San Diego Zoo Collage # 3 by SJF Communications

San Diego Zoo Collage # 3 by Susan Farese, SJF Communications