Highlights from Haiku Workshop at the Escondido Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on February 27, 2025. Many thanks to Principal Librarian, Adult Services Azar Katouzian for hosting/coordinating the workshop and for her photos.

Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their work!

Left to right:
Debbie, Jessica, Susan, Debi, Pamela, Rudy and Oliver
Photos by Azar Katouzian; Collage by SJF Communications

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

After introductions and a review of her published work, Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared her nature photography as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We all practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. As always, it was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.

Enjoy these Haiku from Susan’s nature photography prompts….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Escondido Library 2/27/2025

Sunset Cliffs – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Little waves be small

but will always strike truly

As us humans be

by Oliver (age 9)!

Mist above white waves

Rumbling sea below the rocks

People, perched above!

by Susan

Little hummingbird

Will fly faster peacefully

When the flowers bloom.

by Oliver

Master of the flight

Protective of its life space

Drinker of nectar

by Debi

Rocks at Torrey Pines State Beach- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Small pebbles might fall

still they keep their own balance

And strong in sunlight.

by Oliver

The blood-red night sky

Conjured from the depths of hell

Message from Hades

by Debi

Moon Rise and Yellow Traffic Light – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Captured by the Moon

Saw the signal to slow down

Thank you, universe

by Pamela

Carlsbad Flower Field – Photo by Susan J. Farese

I can find comfort

In a crowd of wild flowers

But not with people

by Pamela

Beautiful flowers

Delicate, colored petals

Waving in the breeze

by Debbie

Julian Leaves – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Crispy, rustling leaves

A potpourri of colors

Waiting for a rake

by Debbie

Great White Egret at Santee Lakes- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Susan (great white egret)

Ivory plunge

Contemplating the nest step

Great white egret soars!

Jacaranda Tree- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Jacaranda trees

Bloom but once annually

Purple hues unite!

by Susan

More Haiku Inspired by the workshop

My hesitant breath

Fear, my mountain Everest

Eyes open I jump.

by Rudy

Ruffles, the dog

Morning you are there

Hungry you seek attention

Soft coat ruffles hand.

by Rudy

Colors red and blue

Visit me and leave fast

Dreams of flying now.

by Rudy

Heavy

Blanket of darkness

Feels like a heavy blanket

Covering my soul

by Debi

Broken

Pieces of my heart

Shattering to the cruel Earth

I lie here, broken.

by Debi

Soaring, easy flight

Masters of the ancient sky

Behold, my dragon

by Debi

Writing in silence

Hum of imagination

Words vibrate inside

by Pamela

It’s 80 degrees

Doesn’t feel like wintertime

in Escondido

by Debbie

Pickle Ball has rules

Don’t volley in the kitchen

Or you’ll lose the point

by Debbie

Montessori School

Wonderful community

Of special people

by Debbie

Waikoloa

Warm sun, gently breaking waves

Me, fully relaxed

by Jessica

Sea turtle swimming

In the warm afternoon sun

So oblivious

by Jessica

With snorkel and mask

Sea turtles and rainbow fish

Such a sparkling world

by Jessica

For more information or to book a workshop (Individual or Group) with Susan:
Information LINK: https://sjfcommunications.com/haiku-workshops/
Or, Email info@sjfcommunications.com or sjfcommunications@gmail.com.

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Creativity Blossomed at Haiku Workshop at the Potrero Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on November 2, 2024.

Many thanks to Branch Manager Berlyne Arteaga for hosting/coordinating the November 2, 2024 workshop and for her photos of the group.

Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their work!

Left to right:
Phyllis, Susan, Lollie, Jan and June

Photos by Berlyne Arteaga and Susan J. Farese;
Collage by SJF Communications

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

Enjoy these Haiku from our Workshop….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Potrero Library 11/2/2024~

Jet roars past my nose

Wings blurring beyond man’s sight

Hummingbird visit

by Jan

Carlsbad Flower Fields – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Rainbow colors bloom

Mother Earth’s message to all

Spring is here again

by Jan

Coyote Chorus

Many voices sing off-key

Winters chill soft breath

Morning light fades dark

Cocooned warmth – feel hot breath

Open eyes – dog nose!

Innocence tumbles

Heart bleeds love lost in one blow

Domestic Abuse

by Jan

Winter

The coldest season

Animals hibernating

Snow on mountain tops

by June

People

People are funny

People run, walk, laugh, cry, talk

Also fat, skinny

by Phyllis

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A Glorious Day at Lake Hodges (Video)

What a spectacular day hiking at Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA! Beautiful scenery, wildflowers blooming, birds enjoying the plentiful rain that we’ve had lately, magnificent rainbows (did we mention the larger than life rattlesnake)? Take a look at ‘art in nature’ and ‘nature as art’!

Music: If We Knew All the Laws of Nature’ by Robert Farmer.

Photos/Video by SJF Communications ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’ sjfcommunications.com

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A New Year’s Day Visit to the San Elijo Lagoon

Here are a few images from a brisk walk at the San Elijo Lagoon on New Year’s Day!

Some links:

https://www.sanelijo.org/naturecenter

https://www.sanelijo.org/nature-center-trail-head

https://www.sanelijo.org/

All Photos by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications – 2019

An Anna’s Hummingbird building and guarding her Nest – This was exciting to see!
Thanks to the fellow bird watcher who told us about it!

A pair of American Wigeons exploring in the lagoon

The beauty of the trail at the San Elijo Lagoon

A lone pine cone in the torrey pine tree

More of the lovely trail at the San Elijo Lagoon

Visitors at the San Elijo Lagoon – including Curlew, Godwit, Willet shorebirds

A Willet contemplating at the San Elijo Lagoon

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A Visit to the Batiquitos Lagoon

My friend and I recently decided to ‘get our steps’ and visit the coastal wetland at the

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail, located in Carlsbad.

We walked 1.5 miles of the north side of the trail and back again.

It was a beautiful, enjoyable day in nature!

We saw the glistening blue water of the lagoon, a variety of shorebirds and other varieties of birds, beautiful aromatic eucalyptus trees, wildflowers complete with bees, a woodpile of artistic tree rings, several inviting thatched roof benches for resting and viewing the lagoon, a lizard on a rock, and much more. We were inspired with so much beauty surrounding us!

We chatted, laughed and decided to plan on excursions such as this in the future.

After our walk we stopped in the Nature Center, which is open:

Monday through Friday from 9 am – 12:30 pm

and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am – 3 pm

Feel free to enjoy these photos! Click on each one to see a larger version!

Here is the link again:

http://www.batiquitosfoundation.org/

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Video July 12, 2018July 12, 2018 susanfarese

A Visit to la Jolla

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!

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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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Magnificent Sunset Cliffs – Despite the May Grays

It’s that time again in San Diego…The marine layer is proudly beaming lately and we kid about it as ‘May Gray’.

I visited Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma on May 21st and was delighted with such natural beauty there…

Take a gander at these photos.

Not a sunny day, but I still witnessed gorgeous rock formations, caves, wildflowers and waves…

YES: #artinnature, #natureasart!

Haiku

May Gray Gazing

by

Susan J. Farese

Dreary May gray skies

Chilly, damp, the winds shall blow

But stunning photos!

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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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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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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.