OAKZANITA PEAK HIKE

My hiking buddies, Myrna and Chris, and I try to get out every week for a hike. Last week it was actually a Patrol for Mission Trails Regional Park where we volunteer. Then there was a Patrol to assist with the running of a Generic Run, 15 kilometers, in Mission Trails Park which is always fun.

This past Friday we went East to Cuyamaca State Park for our hike. My two friends had never hiked Oakzanita Peak so that was our destination. I had not hiked it in probably 30 years!! It is not a strenuous undertaking and we took a long loop to get home so that we hiked about 8 miles total. The peak is about 5000 feet in elevation. As it was Valentine's Day, I packed some truffles for us as our reward. The temperature on the hike probably reached 90˚F, unseasonably warm for this time of year.  Shorts were the order of the afternoon. I kept the goodies chilled in a ziplock bag which was then sitting in another bag containing a blue-ice cube. We thoroughly enjoyed the treat just before we finished our hike.

Lion and Fox Scat

Granite Pile

Closer View of Granite Pile

Stonewall Peak, Left of Center

East Mesa

Looking South toward Descanso

Lone Checkerbloom

FEBRUARY FLYING BIRDS

FEBRUARY BIRDS 1 - 16 FEBRUARY

Been busy with some home chores. Decided that it was time for a new freezer as the old one was not keeping things really cold. Can not really complain after 37 years with it. So we went off to Sears and made a purchase. Of course that meant it was time to defrost the old one and do an inventory of what was on hand. It was also time for a major grocery run, and renewal of the Military sticker on the car.

As we are about to set out on a camping trip it was also time to reassess our tents, and get a new one. We will be doing about a two month road trip this summer with lots of camping along the way. We needed to find a roomy tent which would also do well in rainy weather as we head North to Vancouver, B.C. and then down the Pacific Coast. Our old tent did not have a rain fly and had some issues on the last major adventure in the Big Sur area.

So on this past Thursday I got out to photograph shore birds and waterfowl. The morning started with going to La Jolla to capture birds in flight. It was a nice morning right on the shore just below La Jolla Cove. We were trying to capture the birds as they flew off to go fishing or what have you. The pelican population has shrunk as they have left for their breeding areas, mostly South in Mexico. But as you can see we still had some good chances and successes. Here are a few from the morning ---

Getting a Free Ride

Had a concussion?

Start of a curl

Getting a Drink

Posing

Double-Crested Cormorant

Double-Crested Cormorant

In the afternoon we met at Santee Lakes, which is a man made facility for recycling water. There are seven lakes which are great for birds and the local fishermen. Two of the group brought chicken scratch to help make the birds fly. We set up about 150 yards from each other so that we could work the birds back and forth. These birds are quite fast and it takes practice to pick a bird, lock focus, and finally photograph them. And because of the proximity of the two feed suppliers, one has to be quick. Here are my favorites from the afternoon. 

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Duck w. Big Splash

Landing

Mallard on Approach

Landing

Wood Duck Portrait

Ring-Necked Duck Displaying

Cormorant

Ring-Necked Duck on Approach

Lady Pintail

 Thanks for visiting.

LAST WEEK IN JANUARY IN LA JOLLA

I returned from Iowa and photographing in winter to sunny dry San Diego. I could not resist the temptation to go see the pelicans once again, and I was greatly rewarded: It was a sunny day and the pelicans now have their full black neck coloring. They were as humorous as ever to watch and photograph:

Move it little one

I am Out of here!

Four days later, the weather had changed and I again went to La Jolla. This time there was some coastal fog and clouds. This combination did not make for very good opportunities, but I  

thoroughly enjoyed a relative quiet walk along the coast between La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool. At Children's pool I was able to photograph a couple of harbor seals and make some portraits. The tide was in so the surf was close and made for some nice wave action. Occasionally the sun came out for few minutes which again made for some nice light. I seized the moments.

I also enjoyed seeing the body surfer having an enjoyable time in the water.