Douglas Preserve Sunset

Amazing sunset covered the whole sky. View from the cliff overlooking Hendry's beach.

Happy New Year! up at the Douglas Preserve

Went for a walk with a couple of girlfriends on the Douglas preserve yesterday.  It's such a beautiful spot of land overlooking  Hendry's Beach.  After they left I stayed and took in the sunset, sitting on a log at the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean and the waves breaking below.
Thankful for my life in this beautiful place and feeling the bounty of the Universe.

 

 

(Tis was my last sunset for 2014!) 

 

 

 

 

 

Large cactus plant next to me on the cliff:

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Girlfriends on our walk:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.