This interesting tree was found on one of the trails that take off behind the upper terminal station of the Palm Springs Tramway. It was the week of Christmas and there was snow on the ground but not enough to make hiking difficult. Nice blue sky that day also. Nothing like a hike in the crisp winter air at 8,500 feet!
This pic presents a couple of the eclectic sculptures found in the Civic Center Sculpture Garden in Newport Beach. The blue sculpture is entitled “Demoiselle” and is by LA native Lieutenant Mustardseed while the “Red Gateway” is by Chris Rench of Hood River, Oregon.
This beautiful sea anemone was waiting to be discovered at the Solana Beach tide pools. They are related to coral, jellyfish and Hydra and spend most of their time attached to rocks on the sea bottom waiting for fish to come close enough to be ensnared in their venom-filled tentacles.
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Up to 30,000 black bears have been estimated to inhabit California and one of them left this paw print in the snow in Yosemite National Park (that’s my adult daughter’s hand for a size comparison). I like how you can see some of the impression left by the ends of the toenails. There are no grizzly bears in California, with the last one being killed in Tulare County in 1922.
These wild turkeys were along the roadside of the Banner Grade on Highway 78 heading east out of Julian down into the desert. According to the CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, turkeys now inhabit about 18% of California. Whenever I see a wild turkey I think of Ben Franklin and his preference of the turkey over the bald eagle as our national bird. It might be hard to enjoy eating your national bird though!
The views along the famed 17-Mile Drive between Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove are spectacular. This shot was taken not far from the “Lone Cypress” tree (see previous post).
After having lived through numerous tornadoes during our time in the South, it was a new experience to live through our first fire evacuation only 3 months after moving to California. This pic shows our first fire just about to come over one of the peaks closest to our house. Luckily the wind shifted. We were evacuated for 3 days and came back home with a new appreciation of fire danger in our adopted state!
The Big Bear Discovery Center is on the north side of Big Bear Lake and is a great place to stop and view informative displays, get questions answered, buy passes, use the restroom, etc. And kids love to get their picture taken with the bear statue.
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Rhinos are a favorite attraction at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and they love to visit their favorite mud hole for a delightful mud bath.
Great views abound in Joshua Tree National Park. This spot is close to Inspiration Point.
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