Transformations

Microcosmos 2

The mist brings out the macro lens and the focus on the micro world.

Tail Feathers

Summer birds turn into Autumn birds.

Top. Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Mid. Osprey
Bot. Moon

Beneath the Cliffs

I don't think I could ever get tired of this place.

Grey Ghost

I took these images of a Northern Harrier this past winter. The males, like the one pictured here, are indicated by their white/ gray plumage and are sometimes referred to as 'grey ghosts'. This guy seems to be clutching an Alligator Lizard as he keeps an eye on my approaching lens. The harriers have been gone all summer but they should be returning soon. I can watch them hover and glide just a few feet off the ground without barely flapping their wings right outside my window as I'm eating breakfast. I look forward to their return and I'm happily awaiting autumns' changes; the soft afternoon lighting with colors of purple, orange and red, swells from the north and the south, harvest time, cool breezes and cool nights. Today brought the first Say's Phoebe of the fall.

Rest Day

Speaking of Chaparral and fires in the below post, I spotted two fires burning in the Los Padres National Forrest and the Angeles National Forrest today. Both are most likely burning in the chaparral covered hillsides of the two areas. Lets hope that the shrubland stays intact and is not part of an area that has burned too recently.

No fires here in the Santa Monicas, just rainbows and happy campers.

Lonely Bird

Night Owl

Whose there, me too.

August Night Sky

Walking Distance

Right outside my front door.

Milky

Our night sky is disappearing fast, however I am fortunate enough to live in a place where I can still see the Milky Way right out my front door. Turn off the lights America.

June (Summer) Solstice 2012

Sespe and Backyard Birds

Went all the way out to the Sespe Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest to check out the Condor Observation site hoping to find some of those massive iconic birds. I got there in the heat of mid-day and during bird siesta so I didn't find any condors or much else. I'm not exactly sure if it's still a good spot to see the birds, I think other parts of the range have better viewing opportunities. However, it was still nice to feel that sense of being in the wilderness with nothing but mountains and open space surrounding me with hardly a soul in sight. I will be returning to the Sespe soon to further explore this closest of Wilderness areas and home to the largest bird in North America.

I returned home to find all sorts of creatures right here in my own backyard once again.

Milkweed World (Microcosmos)

Found all of this on one Narrow-Leaved Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis ) plant. Hundreds of tiny aphids, dozens of milkweed beetles and milkweed bugs and one of the brightest and coolest looking wasps in the world, the tarantula hawk.