This pic shows hundreds of snow geese taking flight at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, which is located at the southern end of the Salton Sea in the Imperial Valley. The refuge sits at 227 feet below sea level in the Colorado Desert, and is on the Pacific Flyway. The Salton Sea is the only area in the U.S. to see the Yellow-footed Gull.
Links: SBSSNWR
Not a bad view to wake up to!
A few seals love to hang around the boat launch area on Shelter Island, a community of Point Loma in San Diego. It is not actually an island as it is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, and is only a little over a mile in length and a few hundred feet wide. This fine specimen was only too happy to pose for me.
Titus Canyon is the most popular back-country road in Death Valley National Park. The road into Titus Canyon begins its 27 mile journey not far from the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada and passes by the ghost town of Leadfield. The road is one-way, east to west, except for the last 3 miles on the west end.
The HMS Surprise began its life as a replica of the 18th century Royal Naval frigate Rose. Thirty years later, it was modified for the film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, in an effort to recreate a 24 gun frigate specific to the Nelson era Royal Navy. Since 2004, it has been moored at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Link for more info previous related post
This five-room house, acquired in 1911, is considered one of the best examples of early 20th-century Japanese architecture in the United States, and is part of the Japanese Garden at The Huntington, in San Marino near Pasadena.
One of my favorite Ricardo Breceda sculptures is “scorpion versus grasshopper”. Who do you think would win? These are but two of the 140 sculptures on display at Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs.
Links: Ricardo Breceda Serpent post
The “old” Point Loma lighthouse was active from November 15, 1855 until March 23, 1891 (36 years), warning ships entering San Diego Bay. However, its location high atop Point Loma resulted in its beam often being obscured by fog and clouds such that a “new” lighthouse was built down at sea level. The old lighthouse has been restored and offers great displays including a five-foot tall 3rd order Fresnel lens, the best available at that time.
Links: NPS
One of my favorite spots in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is “The Slot”, a small slot canyon that is about 2 miles north of the 78. The turnoff is just a little ways east of its intersection with Borrego Springs Road and should be marked as Buttes Pass Road. Keep left at the intersection that you come to after about a mile. If the road looks too challenging, hike in from the 78.
Links: ABDSP Wheelingit
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