I think it's a moth. I couldn't find it in any of the guide-books. Only about half an inch long, from antennae to wing-tips. It was sitting on the outside of the kitchen-window in the evening, and I used the flash. Henry, the spider would have had her/him for dinner.

 

San Francisco

 

Kayaks

Yesterday Bob H and I played tourists. One of the spots we visited was the Marin Vista Point (North end of the Golden Gate Bridge). And this is where I took this picture of the kayakers. It must have been a class/trip which started in Sausalito. Apparently the instructor/guide was just making a point.

 

What caught my eye were the pretty colors of the kayaks.

 

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge at ten-twenty this morning.

 

Sculpture

One of my favorite sculptures. Located outside the Office Depot store in San Rafael (my source for ink cartridges).

 

German Shepherd

I took this picture of a German Shepherd, at the Paint-Off in Downtown Mill Valley last Saturday. The dog was insatiable, insisting that his owner throw the ball again and again. He would try to catch it in the air and grab it in its teeth, or, failing that, kick it toward his master.

 

I don't know much about dogs, but really like German Shepherds, or Alsatians. When, as a child, growing up in Vienna, I thought 'dog', I thought 'Wolfshund'! To me, the two were synonyms. And I was convinced that these dogs were direct descendants of wolves! Some of this belief has stuck with me and when I see a Dachshund, a Chihuahua, or a Pekingese, I think something must has gone wrong! In fact though, German Shepherds only date back to 1899.

 

Cannibal

A Praying Mantis was trying to sneak into a performance of Henry VIII at the Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley, when it was daintily picked off the wall by a Good Samaritan lady, and deposited on the branch of a conveniently close tree. Which is when I snapped the attached picture. So much for the story. Except that Praying Mantises are not a common sight in downtown Mill Valley.

 

Praying Mantises can turn their heads 180 degrees. They have 2, large, compound eyes, and 3, other, simple eyes located between them. Their mating behavior is notorious. The females often eat their mates just after, or even during the main event. Females lay hundreds of eggs and nymphs hatch looking like tiny versions of their parents.

 

For some fascinating, though spine-chilling, Youtubes, I urge you to go to Google. But do not be misled, there is also a rock-band named "Praying Mantis".

 

Dual Purpose

This sign caught my attention as I was ambling around Novato's Indian Valley the other day.

 

Canada Geese

Over the last few days my photography has kept me very busy. So busy in fact, that, this morning, I decided to take a break and head out to the Ponds sans my trusty camera. And this, of course, had to be the day for the longest string of Canada Geese I had ever seen, to appear before me. What was a mother to do? Rather than miss a photo-op, I did the unspeakable. I yanked out my iPhone and took the attached picture. And I don't want to hear a word about poor quality.

 

Babies

Brian George, owner of Gage Lane Nursery in Novato, holding two baby Wild Turkeys, which he found on his property. He is taking care of them and they are doing very well, thank you. I was there yesterday.

 

Kidz' Art

I just love the chalk drawings kidz create on sidewalks, etc. I discovered the attached art at a farm in Novato this afternoon.

 

Bull Thistle

I find Bull Thistles beautiful at every stage of their two-year life-cycle. This one at Bel Marin Keys.

 

Mt. Tam Again

Another view of Mount Tamalpais. This time from Bel Marin Keyes. Taken a few days ago.

 

Eucalyptus Baby

Here's a Eucalyptus baby I photographed on Tuesday at Bel Marin Keys. It's hard to imagine that it may grow to a height of over 100 feet. Eucalyptus trees were introduced to California by Australians in the 1850's. While they have many qualities useful to man, there are also some serious downsides. One of these is the fire-hazard they present. A prime example was the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm, which ultimately killed 25 people, partly fueled by Eucalyptus trees, growing too close to homes.

 

Anise - The Prequel

A couple of days ago I presented a picture of an Anise plant which, sadly, but beautifully, was no longer among the living.

 

Today, we have here, a baby anise plant, ready to pop out of its sheath. Beautiful, isn't it? Photographed at Bel Marin Keys.

 

Please, don't quote me, but I believe we are dealing with Pimpinella anisum, used to flavor food, drinks, and candy.

 

Bees

Bee-hive at Bel Marin Keys this morning. The hives are marked "Tauzer Apiaries ~ Woodland, CA". And here's where the expression "As busy as bees" originated ~

 

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, (the Squire's Tale), 1386-1400:

Ey! Goddes mercy!" sayd our Hoste tho,
Now such a wyf I pray God keep me fro.
Lo, suche sleightes and subtilitees
In wommen be; for ay as busy as bees
Be thay us seely men for to desceyve,
And from a soth ever a lie thay weyve.
And by this Marchaundes tale it proveth wel.

Anise

Anise, this morning on the Earthquake Trail in Point Reyes.

 

It Must be Love

People are always asking me whether deer kiss. Finally, this morning, I came up with a definitive answer. Which is, a big, and resounding, YES!

 

To no-one's surprise, it happened right outside my kitchen window, scene of many a spell-binding wildlife performance.

 

Moth

Sorry, but all I know is that it's a moth. And, in my opinion, a good-looking one at that. It's been sitting, motionless, on the staircase wall for four days.

 

Henry

I'm sure you have been breathlessly following the adventures of Henry, the spider on my kitchen window. I took the attached picture last night, as the sun was setting. You will see Henry on the left. This morning he was gone. And so was the web. Will he return?

 

All of which brings me to our delightful American vernacular. We can say that Henry split, skidaddled, flew the coop, skipped town, boogied, sang his swan song, went AWOL, or is on the lam. I am sure there are many more ways in which to report his departure.

 

Whatever the term, I sit here and feel a little abandoned and lonely.

 

My Kitchen Window

Looking out my kitchen window is more fun than watching television or Googling. But what I'd like to know is why the deer on the right is sticking out its tongue at me. Was it something I said?