Happy Easter and/or Passover

Happy Easter and/or Passover!

 

Barn Swallows

This is the time of year when the Barn Swallows traditionally appear at the Ponds, and I traditionally complain how hard it is to photograph them because they move so fast. All of which is just a lame excuse for the not-so-perfect attached picture!

 

American Wigeon

American Wigeon at the Ponds this morning.

 

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron on a very foggy morning at Lake Lagunitas.

 

Lips of Mystery

Sorry, no bird picture today!

 

Cormorant Taking Flight

Cormorant taking flight at the Ponds yesterday. Watching the bird, it occurred to me, what a difficult task this must be. I tried to put myself in its shoes (shoes?). Start flapping those wings, water clinging to them, weighing me down. Leaving a wake. The body clumsy. Then finally freed and airborne! Flight! All this probably no big deal for the Cormorant!

 

Coelocnemis californicus

When there's a shortage of birds at the Ponds, my eyes turn to the ground, which is where I found this Broad-necked Darkling Beetle. At least, that's what I think it was! Handsome gal/guy.

 

Juanita

Sausalito has been the home of many famous characters. Restaurateuse, Juanita, was one of the most outrageous. By her own account she opened and closed 11 restaurants! Here she is, on July 20, 1990, signing my copy of the book "Juanita!" by Sally Hayton-Keeva. Juanita died on February 26, 2011, at the age of 87. It would be worth your while to Google this fascinating lady.

 

From my Archives

Pink Mosque in Istanbul. Yes, you are looking at it's reflection!

 

Wave

Wave at Tennessee Valley Beach.

 

Gull

When I was young and innocent (ha!), I would have called this bird a Seagull. Later I was admonished and told that there is no such thing. Different gulls have different names. My guess is, that what we have here is a Ring-billed Gull (note the white subterminal spot). The good news is that I don't really care. What matters is that it's a beautiful bird.

 

(end)

What is it?

"Tell me what it is and I'll feed it"

                   or

"My imagination runneth over"

 

Eucalyptus Bark

Eucalyptus Bark, this morning on the Oakwood Trail in the Tenessee Valley.

 

Shadow #436

I must confess that I'm a sucker when it comes to shadows. When I see a good one, I feel compelled to photograph it. I took today's picture yesterday, on my way out from a giant yard sale.

 

Cherry Blossoms

Spring has sprung and the Cherry Blossoms are putting in an appearance all over Marin County. I also seem to detect a slight, sweet, perfume.

 

Bushtit Part 2

After defeating his windshield reflection (see yesterday's picture), the little Don Quixote wanted his picture taken. And I complied.

 

Bushtit

A couple of days ago, as I parked my car at the Ponds, a tiny bird landed on my windshield-wiper and started jumping around and flapping its wings. I whipped out my iPhone and took a couple of pix. Then I stepped out of the car, got my Nikon out of the trunk and took a few more pix. My chief ornithology adviser, J.B., informs me that we are in the mating season, and the little guy took the reflection on my windshield for another male, which he tried to chase away.

 

Lucky Me!

I'm really lucky to be able to sit at my breakfast table, and watch wildlife while drinking my coffee!

 

Marilyn Again

Yesterday, minutes after seeing Marilyn in Trader Joe's parking lot, I saw Marilyn again! This time as a tattoo on a young lady's arm inside the market. Quite a coincidence.

 

Marilyn

Framed picture of Marilyn for sale, with Mount Tamalpais in the background. Next door to the Trader Joe's store in Corte Madera.

 

Entitlement

The other day I introduced Quincey, Janet B's dog to the world. Understandably, Maggie, Janet's cat, was not thrilled and insisted on equal time. So here she is, and I hope that peace will be restored.

 

View from Ellis Creek

View from Ellis Creek in Petaluma, where the mustard is growing. A beautiful place for a walk. Tranquility reigns as you encounter very few people.

 

Flying Birds

Kildeer methinks. This morning at Ellis Creek in Petaluma.

 

Banana Slug

Banana Slug in Point Reyes, curious about what's going on.

 

The Banana Slug is the unofficial mascot of the UC Santa Cruz coed teams.

 

Young Buck

Young Buck, seen from my kitchen window. I wonder how his ear and antler got mangled up?

 

Face?

I see a face. Do you?

I admit that, sometimes, my imagination runs away with me.

 

One more Houseboat

I take pictures, but don't always know what it is that I photographed. Here's a case in point. I'm sure that's not what it is, but the houseboat made me think of Japanese capsule hotels!

 

A capsule hotel (カプセルホテル, kapuseru hoteru^?) is a type of hotel developed in Japan that features a large number of extremely small "rooms" (capsules) intended to provide cheap and basic overnight accommodation for guests not requiring the services offered by more conventional hotels.

 

Mailbox

Mailboxes are a popular object of Sausalito waterfront expressions of creativity. I like this one but don't have a clue as to it's message?!

 

Shadow of a gate in the Sausalito houseboat community.

 

Shadow of Gate

Shadow of a gate in the Sausalito houseboat community.

Houseboats

Sausalito houseboats, with Mount Tamalpais, aka Sleeping Lady, in the background.