Lake Cachuma 3/16

On the way to my wildflower hunt in the mountains Saturday I stopped at Cachuma lake.  It's been severely affected by the central CA drought the past few years. The white area indicates the previous water line. We are now getting to the end of the winter rainy season. I hope we get a little more rain before summer's hot, dry period.

View of the mountains in the distance with my telephoto lens. I've always loved the view of overlapping mountains ranges in the distance, since living in the mountains of N. Carolina.

Wildflowers and Horses in Santa Ynez (3/26/16)

We went hunting for Wildflowers in Santa Ynez with my friend Chris on Saturday. She lives in the area and is a horse lover, so she directed us to the good spots.  Shot about 400 pics on the way to Figuroa mountain and back.  Here's some of my favs:

mustard in full bloom

beautiful California Poppies:

Young colt, one of seven, on the Horse Ranch we visited.  Santa Ynez is 'Horse Country'.

View of mountains from top of Figuroa Mt.  This reddish rock is called Sespe formation:

Devereux Slough again!

Love this place. Full of wildlife and secluded..but just a mile down the private road from Costco and Kmart!  I think a lot of people don't even know it's here..tucked away in Goleta, a few miles north of SB.

It was a beautiful day in the 70's. I waited for a few still moments from the breezes to get the good mountain reflection in the slough pond.

There were a couple Great white Egrets on the pond today. So graceful!  love to see them fly, wings outspread, and glide down to land in the shallow water.  Their long stilt legs allow them to be in perfect position above the water to spear a fish with their bills.

Looking out toward the ocean:

March 2016 Beautiful locations in Santa Barbara this month

We had some beautiful warm days at the end of March, following welcome rains. 

I always love the many mood of Santa Barbara Harbour..my favorite place to spend some free time:

And the adjoining beach (Sanderlings I think). Fun to watch flock of birds rush out with the receding

waves, poke their bills into the sand to grasp morsels of food.

Sunset at the beach adjoining the Harbour:

Morning at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. I spent an hour as docent for 7 Kindergarten kids.

They were a fun group!

The garden is in full bloom. Pink Coral bells in the

foreground and orange CA Poppies blooming in the background.  Birds are all chirping..calling their

mates this spring morning!  Gorgeous!

The Douglas Family Preserve is a 70 acre public park on the mesa above Arroyo Burro Beach.

It's a beautiful spot near the ocean, with lots of walking paths, trees and unleashed dogs enjoying

their freedom too.  Pink Boganvilla, purple Statice and Cactus "sculptures" along the way.