Happy Holidays from Santa Barbara!

I went out before sunrise to shoot the Xmas tree on Stern's Wharf this morning. As I was driving the most beautiful blues and pinks in the sky! But the sky was still interesting, after I missed the vivid colors.

Second lower layer of clouds rolling into the Harbour:

 

 

My sentiments exactly:

 

 

 

 

Pelicans preening on the roof:

 

 

 

 

 

Pansies in December! Love it!

 

 

Allie's visit Nov. 2014

My old friend, Allison, from Bflo. came for a visit. (She's living in Fla. now)
We had a lot of fun and she loved Santa Barbara.  She's talking about moving here!

Lunch at Brophy's overlooking the Harbour SB:

 

 

Took her to see the Mountains up close and personal. Up 154 to Vista Point:

 

 

 

Hendry's Beach always beautiful. Surfers were out too:

 

 

 

 

Sedgwick Preserve, Santa Ynez 11-14

I had the opportunity to stay overnight at the Sedgwick Preserve last Friday.  I made sure to get up before sunrise to get some shots of the landscape. So glad I did!. The 1st light on the mountain ridges was breathtaking.  Enjoyed the class with our CA naturalist group, especially the info about the CA Oaks which were on the property: Coast live Oak, Valley Oaks, and Blue Oaks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images, Santa Barbara, 11/14

I found this image at Hendry's Beach in Santa Barbara this week. . Unusual.  At first I wasn't sure what I was seeing:

It was a shadow of the palm trees behind me reflected in the still water below.  The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me.


I want to share another unusual image with you from Santa Barbara:

Santa Cruz Island 22 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, visible on this clear cool day. The light marine layer moisture looks like airbrushed white streak between the mountain and the sea. Santa Cruz island rises to 2200 feet above sea level.  I was fortunate to take the boat trip over to the Island
several weeks ago, field trip with our local Photography Club. (google 'Channel City Camera Club' and 'Channel Islands').

Arroyo Hondo Preserve 10-3-14

Went on a field trip with CA Naturalist program through the Botanic Garden, SB this past Saturday.
It was very warm as the day went on. We covered quite a bit of ground.  Amazing the way our guides, Sally Isaacson and Mike Kresky were able to identify plants that were dried up and brown from the drought or in their fall dried state of growth.

Mike is an expert tracker and pointed out tracks and animal scat I might have missed. We came across cougar scat and fox tracks.  Amazing to hear him deduce which animal left his mark because he knows their habits so well.

Early morning light on the mountains. The grazing animals, cows and sheep have left the area for 10 years but the grasses and chaparral continue in large patches.

Forest, Tree hollow probably used by animals:

Starting out, Sally our guide in the center.

Fiesta celebration S.B. 2014

Photos from Fiesta celebration at the Sunken Gardens Courthouse, downtown Santa Barbara last week. It was very beautiful, lasted for hours and was free, as is most of the week long celebration of Spanish heritage in Santa Barbara.  The past 2 years I was lucky to get a seat down front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful sunset Hendry's Beach

Beautiful sunset the other day on walk at Hendry's beach:

Citrus Balloon Festival (Santa Paula 7-26-14)

Beautiful setting in the mountains of Santa Paula for the 6:30 am Air Balloons lift-off yesterday. Perfect weather, sunny, mild temps, good wind.

This,  my 1st view walking from the parking lot. A few balloons had already gone up. This one, a lovely yellow orb floating against the  blue sky and clouds was a beautiful morning sight.

Watching them float across the sky gives a peaceful feeling..like what the ballooners must be feeling,
drfting high above.

The low morning light streaming through the colorful balloons remind me of stained glass windows.

 

 

"The Glow" evening light of the balloons:

 

 

Botanic garden June class "Pollinators"

 

 

It's always a different, lovely view in the meadow.

 

 

They set us loose with nets to catch a pollinator (bee) to examine in the magnifying cups.

Some of us would rather take pics.

 

 

 

Our very knowledgeable teacher on the left.

 

Some Bee varieties..we got to look at in high power microscope

 

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Wow, I see it's been since April since I posted new pics.  I've been so busy lately.

I'd like to share these pics of Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens I took the other day while I was there. I'm

 in the process of volunteering to work there.  Such a lovely space! Only minutes from my house but

in a secluded dead end canyon road. Lots of wildlife there on 76 acres.  Here's the "meadow" area:

"Rocky" trail:

 

 

The Tea House, with authentic Tea ceremony going on:

 

 

LOVE this Matilija Poppy:

 

 

Large Redwood tree shaded area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffalo, NY visit 4/14 (grandkids)

Had a wonderful time with family in Bflo the past 3 weeks.
Some pics:

Ryan 1yr. old..has a beautiful smile

Jordan, sweet and shy , will be 3 next month

New precious baby Austin a week old

Mariah 7yrs. old.  so bright and mature for her age. Good big sister to her brothers.

Samantha (Lisa's only child) turned 7 while I was there. Charming, outgoing.

Baby Austin Arrived!

My Daughter Julie's new baby has arrived!  Beautiful baby boy 7# 1oz. Austin. She's been blessed with 4 children: Mariah 7yrs, Jorden almost 3yrs, Ryan1yr and new baby Austin.  glad I'm able to be home in Buffalo awhile to help out.
Recent pics:

 

 Home from the hospital, Ryan excited about baby brother

 

 

Jordan plays with his ride ons

 

 

Mariah plays the Easter Bunny

Austin 3 days later:

and Snowflake looks on with her blues eyes: