Fall Foliage and Nature's Beauty

some people say San Diego does not have any seasons.....I beg to differ.

 

this picture was taken today....looks like fall foliage to me.

this picture was taken Thursday at Mission Trails Regional Park.

 

While I was walking back to my car, I saw a very familiar creature up ahead.  and when there is one, friends are bound to follow and they did:

these pictures are not that great, but these little Quails were rather far away and I didn't want to disturb them.  at this same time, to my right there was a Spotted Towhee digging through the fallen leaves and actually throwing them around.  I tried to get a picture of him, but they all ended up blurry, he just wouldn't stay still.  Quails in front of me, Towhee to the right, a small flock of sparrows to my left and lone bunny, talk about cute overload!

 

 

these three photos were taken at Cuyamaca on Friday.  Normally when I go to Cuyamaca I see deer and this day was no different.  I actually had come upon 6 deer, two males and four females relaxing under the Cedar trees.  I felt bad that I had disturbed them and I tried to make a quick retreat, but then I was distracted:

 

this male was magnificent and he led all the ladies to the trees to wait for me to leave.  this picture is not great, but since this is such a wooded area, it's almost like taking a picture at night.

 

as I was leaving I felt like I was being watched and indeed I was:

this little doe stood staring at me for some time. I tried to explain to her that she should run immediately whenever she sees humans, after all some humans might mean her harm.  She didn't seem to understand what I was saying and continued to stare at me.  she probably thought I was some crazy person.  I really doubt the deer are used to some human standing in the woods talking to them.  I decided to take my leave and waved goodbye.  when I was a couple hundred yards away, I turned around and saw all the deer coming out of the trees to go back to their place under the Cedars. it's always a good day when I go hiking, but when I am privileged enough to see wildlife, then it's a very special day.

 

Pinterest Inspiration

 

several weeks ago I came across a 'pin' on Pinterest that truly inspired me.  I loved it so much, I decided to create my own version.

 

the inspiration came from a blog, Creativity is Contagious

http://candycreates.blogspot.com/2013/04/birds-of-feather.html

 

I happen to have a papier mache book/box laying around and so I began

 

 

 

what drew me to the inspiration piece was the little chest of drawers.  I had to make my own drawers!  but how?  how would I construct my own drawers?  then one day at work I came up with something.  It was around Halloween, so Halloween candy was all around and I saw these:

 

I found my drawers.

 

 I will say this little book/box took A LONG time.  but it was well worth the time and effort and it was completely free since I had all the supplies and I love the end result.  Let's see, Birds, check!  Nest, check! Eggs, check! Feathers, check!

 

I need nothing more :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dabbling, Oddities, Beauty and Observations

 

there is just something so cute when ducks or geese "dabble"

 

perhaps it's the tail feathers in the air?

or perhaps it's the flailing legs?

not sure what it is, but let's face it, it's cute!

 

this little California Towhee sought shade beneath this Canada Goose, oddly enough this goose did not mind

I thought this Great Blue Heron had eyes bigger than his stomach, in the end he did manage to eat this huge fish

the Canada Geese usually don't like to share their seed, however this group of Grackles lucked out. 

 

a Canada Goose never has to try to be beautiful...

it just comes naturally to them.

even when they're flying across the lake to attack you. (this is Sid & Nancy from two years ago during nesting season, they were always so determined)

 

Innocence

Curiosity

 

 

Determination

Protective

Free

Trust

Devotion

(or they just know the seed lady,(me) and feel the need to chase me )