bush lupine and fiddlenecks ~ 04/08/08 ~ Carmel Valley Road

bush lupine and fiddlenecks
Fabaceae and Boraginaceae

This was an incredible color combination on the hillside.

ps 04/05/10 - I originally labeled this with poppies. After looking at pictures from March 4, 2010, I now believe the deep yellow are due to fiddlenecks, not poppies.

wedding tree ~ 04/08/08 ~ Garland Ranch

wedding tree
Fagaceae

I can't find a picture of our wedding tree from 2007. We had just come back from several weeks in New Zealand and were tired of taking pictures. As long as we're in the area, I think it'll be our goal to visit this tree during the week of our anniversary.

sunrise ~ 02/23/08 ~ at home

Pacific Grove sunrise from home
February 23, 2008

This morning's sunrise was absolutely spectacular! The sky continually changed colors. These photos are not doctored or color corrected.

northern elephant seal
Mirounga angustirostris

This was the first time in all my years of living in CA that I went to actually see the elephant seals in action. I was surprised to hear how deep and loud they were; it reminded me kinda like hearing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle roaring through the redwoods. Molting, birthing, and mating all in one place at the same time, thanks to a wacky delayed fertilization process. Nature continues to amaze me!

Btw, the official BLM lands is just north of here around the lighthouse. The BLM is starting to attract my attention and appreciation since it also takes care of most (not all) of the Fort Ord Public Lands.