Neither of these two flowering shrubs are native to the areas where I found them; the snowbells originate in China, Korea, and Japan, so I can’t help wondering how this one came to be in bloom above the shores of Folsom Lake. The Pipevine Swallowtails don’t seem to mind the taste of something exotic! Although these shrubs are actually native […]
Here are a few more of my images from Doggy Day at Denio’s in late April. Nothing will convince me that these dogs do not take this event very seriously — well, most of them, that is! Why else would they be so eager to get a look at their winning trophies, and making sure their beloved masters don’t wind […]
One of the best things about doing a vacation rental is checking out the fun little details in and around the house. That might include yard decorations, unusual architecture, or colorful plants and flowers. I’ve gotten into the habit of doing this in every place we stay, and I love it for a few reasons. It helps me keep my […]
There are so many colorful wildflowers blooming along the Mendocino coast right now, and likely more to come as the spring progresses. These are only a few of the ones I’ve spotted lately.
I’m never surprised anymore when hiking around Folsom Lake to find driftwood shelters; some of these are constructed near the waterline (or where the waterline used to be), but others are far from the water, in among the trees. Most appear to have been hastily built, but occasionally I’ll find a shelter that was created with great care and skill, […]
I’ve previously shared images from our visit to Greenwood State Beach in Mendocino County. The small town of Elk sits just above the beach, along Highway 1. While there, I was able to watch a Great blue heron fishing for his lunch in the old mill pond on the beach. Other than the birds, we had the whole place to […]
Only a couple of years ago I was complaining that, apart from one occasion in Ensenada, Mexico, many years ago, I had never gotten a good look at a Brown Pelican in the wild. That all changed this past year during a couple of trips to Mendocino County in the fall and winter. I saw so many pelicans that my […]
I’m not sure where or when I found this lighter; it had to be several decades ago. And, not being a smoker, I’ve never used it myself. But for some reason I kept it, intrigued by its curious appearance and wondering what sort of history lay behind its dents, scrapes, and grimy looks. I finally decided to try photographing the […]
I don’t really know anything about the Sacramento Valley Garden Railway group, but building a model railroad in the back yard seems like a wonderful hobby! You may recall seeing The Fairplex Garden Train in an episode of Huell Howser’s Visiting which I featured back in October 2020. Don’t forget to click on the images below for a closer look […]