Saturday, April 30, 2011

Basking in the Sun


Basking in the sun on a nice, soft armchair. Food, sun and cushy armchairs...what more can you ask for?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Hooded Oriole


Male Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus, from the pair that nests in the back yard under the banana tree leaves. Spring is here...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Mourning Dove


Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, lounging on my railing. They're noisy, they're messy...but they are admittedly kind of cute.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Finals Are Almost Final


I'm down to the last class (tomorrow) in the last year of law school. It's kind of sad to see everybody go but it is also a relief to be finishing things up. Meanwhile, the weather has warmed up again, just in time to taunt you from outside the classroom windows. Oh wait, we were in the basement, weren't we? At least the long walk from the parking garage to class was just a bit cheerier.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Puffed Out to Stay Warm...


Western Scrub Jay, Aphelecoma californica, puffed out to stay warm in a cool coastal breeze.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Up Close


Close-up of the Daisies at USD. Easy to grow, always in bloom and a riot of colors! What more could you ask for?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Immaculata


Peace and silence at the Immaculata Church at USD on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Note palm fronds. This was a long exposure as the church was dark at the time.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Immaculata Church


Virgin Mary Statue above the entrance to the Immaculata Church at USD. Alas she had a broken thumb which just seemed so unseemly that I edited in a new thumb in for her.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Great Blue Heron


Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, sunning on the rocks in Mission Bay. He was keeping a keen eye on me but otherwise did not budge an inch.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Friday, April 08, 2011

U4BA (get it?!)


Euphorbia characias(?) blooming in the back yard. Note that the female part of the flower in the center is separated from the male parts of the flower on stalks (sorry, still in closed bud). This is likely to discourage self-pollination.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

California Pond Turtle


California Pond Turtle (or Northern Pond Turtle), Actinemys marmorata marmorata. Found from San Francisco north through British Columbia. They survive Summer dry spells by estivating in the mud (like hibernating but during the Summer...).

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Starfish on the Prowl


Starfish cruising among a colony of mussels.

Masdevallia ignea


Masdevallia ignea. These glowing little orchids are from the Columbian rainforest at around 10,000 ft. They tend to grow on the cool side and need good water.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Five Spot


Five Spot, Nemophila, blooming in the back yard. This native wildflower grows well in partly shaded areas after the Winter rains.

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Stanhopea impressa


Stanhopea impressa. These are from Columbia and Ecuador at 1000-6000 ft.

University of San Diego Sunset


University of San Diego Sunset. One small benefit of working during the day and going to school at night is the occasional, gorgeous sunset.