It was early May, with cool temperatures and the skies threatening rain. At the end of a 2-hour drive from home, we did some exploring along the west shore of Lake Berryessa and found only a handful of other people — and no one at all in this quiet spot. The wildflowers were abundant, and the day seemed just about […]
Not all my photos of insects were a great success on my most recent trip to Lake County, but I am pleased that I spotted my very first Lorquin’s admiral. According to Wikipedia, these handsome butterflies are very territorial and sometimes go after larger animals rather aggressively; luckily, this one was in a peaceful mood! On this outing I also […]
I always enjoy the scenery driving through northern New Mexico, although there never seems to be enough time to stop and explore. Our only reasons for pausing at the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center were that we needed a rest stop and it was time for lunch; but it was a wonderful chance discovery and one that I would […]
I’ve learned (unfortunately, the hard way) that however weary I might feel after a long day of driving on the highway, it’s usually a good idea to find a place to have a walk around outside. No matter how much I would prefer to throw myself onto the bed and not move until morning, things go much better if I […]
Late May blooming wildflowers seen at Phoenix Park and Sailor Bar County Park in Fair Oaks.
This week, June 19th through 25th, is National Pollinator Week in the U.S., so I’m celebrating by sharing some of my most recent images of insects making themselves right at home in some wildflower blooms. While bees and butterflies are the most easily recognized pollinators, many beetles also play an important role in pollination. I shot most of these photos […]
There’s nothing like getting away from city traffic and crowds of people rushing to their various destinations, and we found an incredible place to enjoy nature and escape for a few hours — just five minutes’ drive from our hotel in Southlake, Texas! It’s the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, sitting along the south shore of Grapevine Lake. There […]
Early May offered up intriguing cloudscapes along the western shore of Lake Berryessa and Pope Canyon Road.
Hiking up the Dorn Nature Trail at Clear Lake State Park two months ago was one of my most enjoyable outings this year. I had the trail nearly to myself, and while the sun frequently vanished behind clouds, leaving behind a chilly wind, I was able to take things at my own pace and spend time just listening to the […]