April 22, 2016
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Catching Up
Since the beginning of March, my muse left me. I have taken rides with the camera, and not taken any pictures. I have taken rides with the camera and I've taken photos that did not satisfy me. A part of this has been the weather -- there have been numbers of days when we had dirty, hazy skies, and some rainy days. I show here a few shots taken during that period of time.
Several times I drove to Dana Point Harbor, where the great blue herons were such friends over the past few years. This is one shot of the trees where that colony lived above the parking lot. There are one or two nests left -- even less now, after a couple of days of nasty winds. I haven't seen herons in these trees for several months.
A couple of weeks ago, the air was clearing, and there was a busy day around the mouth of the harbor. I have cropped these closely because the background is very hazy, and detracts from the photos other than providing depth to the shots.
There were several races in progress that afternoon. Inside the channel, the sand has nearly blocked passage -- the dredge is removing some of that sand.
In the foreground, an interesting combination of clifftop habitat (including cactus) and ocean.
And one more shot of the busy harbor
As I drove away, these two groups of flowers caught my eye -- I have no idea what they are, but they provide a contrast with the grey background.
As spring takes its time to move in, we have already had a heat spell, with several days of 90 degree temperatures. It's cooler today, but the clouds we were supposed to have dissipated before they got to us. It's breezy, but not truly windy today, and it looks as if we may even skip spring and move right to summer.
Comments (21)
I miss the herons. However the 3rd photo of the bay is beautiful - even with the hazy sky that blurs the line between air and water! What kind of flowers are those in the last photo? Are they wild flowers or something that was planted??
Thanks, Val -- I miss the herons too -- they've probably moved on because of the water temp, which has been too warm this winter and last while the el nino was sitting off shore (and not raining on us!). I'm sorry -- I really don't know what the red flowers are -- I think they were planted by the street department of Dana Point,
Too bad about the herons. Maybe they'll miss their old neighborhood and move back next year. I love seeing any ocean pictures and yours are beautiful. The ocean is such a beautiful shade of blue.
I am hopeful that the herons will one day return. The trees have been trimmed, though, and almost all the nests have gone, either because of that or because of high winds. I'm glad you enjoy the ocean pictures -- the sea is definitely a part of my life!
I am so happy to see you here with your beautiful pictures. The first picture of the tree against the blue sky, is spectacular, even though the herons are missing. White sails and the deep azure waters, make such a perfect frame able picture Janet. So happy to see these here. Thank you for posting them.
Thank you, Zakiah! The shot of the tree without herons is, to me, very sad because the herons aren't there! I'm glad to know that you consider it spectacular! As time goes on and we get into full summer, I'm sure there will be many more sailing days, races, and photos!
I think those flowers could be the desert Globemallows or parry's Pentimones. Not sure of the spelling. I had to look up the blooms. They are beautiful.
I think you may be right that the tall flowers on the left may be a variety of penstemon -- I had considered that, but wasn't sure enough to say so. The flowers on the right are lower to the ground, and a different plant altogether -- I don't think globemallow is right, but it's hard to tell. One day I'll go back and take closer photos that are more easily identifiable!
If there is a consolation, the herons may have left, but the great white sharks are staying. lol. Hope you don't try any white shark close ups.
Love your photos of the ocean. I was born a beach boy. Teen years were wonderful---swimming and looking at girls.
We had some rain yesterday and small hail. I was walking my dog when it started. Lol
I don't think I'll play with the white sharks, though I may do a whale watch sometime this spring -- the whales are migrating again, and there are reports of some great sightings. Glad you got some rain -- it didn't come down this far!
I fear the herons left Orange County the same day I did: March 7.
Did they perhaps follow you home in the rain?
Great pictures. The last one in my favorite.
@slmret: Everything in nature against a deep blue sky, is spectacular to me. It just does something to my senses.
The blue of the sky was pretty muted at the harbor -- the sea was pretty, but the sky not so much. Better at the Flower Fields. I think that's a part of where my muse went -- to try to find some blue sky! It seems to be bluer when the air is a little moist.
Fabulous shots from above the harbor!
Thank you -- that's a great overlook spot!
As usual, it's good to see your pics again. I like the one looking across the harbor, with the marina in the foreground, sailboat racing in the middle and the houses on the other side. I hope this spring finds you well. Any idea why the herons aren't back? I also haven't written much over the last year or so, but I've started again, and I think I'll be postiing to my WordPress, soon.
@lightnindan: Hey, Dan -- good to see you again! Glad you enjoyed this post, and especially that one shot! It's a great clifftop overlook for a pretty harbor! I think there are two reasons for the herons being elsewhere: first, the trees also seem to have been heavily trimmed, and several nests lost in that process, and second (probably more important), the ocean temperature (considerable warming) has caused a migration of the fishes that are their primary foods. This is thanks to el nino, and we are now headed into the opposite, cooling la nina as we move to summer. I discovered a nest or two that I need to explore soon. I hope you do post to your word press -- please let me know your WP address!
The tall pinkish spears look like wild asaragus. Your link works, by the way!
I think more like penstemon -- but not sure. They are carefully planted by the City of Dana Point. Glad the link works -- that was a great idea -- thank you!!!
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