The Stately Banyan, Ficus benghalensis

A huge, stately old Banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis, growing in front of the Honolulu Zoo.  Most of these Banyans were planted in the early to mid-1900s.  Ficus benghalensis is  considered sacred in India where massive trees sometimes shelter temples.  Buddha is said to have reached Nirvana under the shade of a related tree, the sacred fig, Ficus religiosa.  

A Giant Among Orchids: Grammatophyllum speciosum

Grammatophyllum speciosum blooming outdoors at the Kawamoto Orchid Nursery on Oahu, Hawaii.  This species can grow up to ten feet tall and grows quite bushy if grown warm.  The species is found in a variety of tropical countries including Myanamar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands!

Least Sandpipers

Least Sandpipers, Calidris minutilla, skimming over the waves, at The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Hang Glider over Black's Beach

Hang Glider high up above the cliffs of Black's Beach, La Jolla, California.  I really enjoyed the perspective on this one!

Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Paphiopedilum bellatulum, a lovely orchid  native to Assam, India, Myanamar, Thailand, and theYunnan Province of China where it is typically found in dense shade growing on limestone crevices in leaf litter and moss.   The weight of the typically single, heavy, waxy flower causes the stem to droop down towards the ground, ostensibly allowing ants to pollinate the flower.

Phal bellina variety alba

Phal bellina variety alba.  The albino forms of orchids are typically a bit smaller flowered and a little more difficult to grow.  However, with a little line breeding and/or out-crossing, some really nice forms eventually crop up.

Phalaenopsis bellina var. coerulea

A beautifully round, fragrant Phalaenopsis bellina var. coerulea from Norman's Orchids.   This Phalaenopsis species likes to grow hot and humid and is somewhat susceptible to damping off in cooler conditions.  The original species comes from Borneo where it grows in in shady, humid, swampy forests near sea level.  They have a light fragrance of fruit loops (or perhaps it's the other way around and fruit loops smell like Phal. bellina!).

Bifrenaria harrisoniae var alba

Bifrenaria harrisoniae var alba.  This is an albino form of this normally white flower with hot pink lip.  This species hails from coastal Brazil where it grows at around 500 to 2000 ft.  It is a delightful sturdy and robust grower, easily forming specimen plants, even outdoors here in Southern California.  The alba clone tends to be slightly less robust in size and growing habit but is still a good grower.

Echinocereus rigidissimus var rubrispinus in Bloom

Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubrispinus.  This is one of those cacti that is attractive year round due to its beautiful ruby-colored spines.  Still, the bloom is huge compared to this little cactus and well worth the wait.

San Diego American Orchid Society Judging Awards for June 3, 2014

Encyclia (Sietetrescuartos X diota) 'Royal Basin Midnight' HCC/AOS 77pts.

Allen's Hummingbird on Aloe

Allens Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin, feasting on Aloe nectar at the Huntington Botanical Gardens.

Juvenile Seagull

Juvenile seagull begging for food.  Note the submissive stance.  They make a pitiful meowing sound when begging for food.  Not sure where his Mom is...

Black Orchids

Fred Clarke, of Sunset Valley Orchids, has had wonderful success in "black" orchids in the Catasetinae.  Shown here is one of his crosses, Fredclarkeara After Dark X Catasetum Mark Dimmett, a second generation of black orchids with wider, flatter, Catasetum lips!

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach, showing that famous turquoise water and powder-white sand.

Hang Gliders on a Hot Day

Hang Gliders lining up along the cliffs of La Jolla.  These were both dual seaters with the back person steering and controlling the hang glider and the front person there to enjoy the ride.  Below them, the famous sands of Black's Beach.

San Diego Evening Skyline

San Diego evening skyline.  You could see the lights of the planes as they fly in low over downtown.

Bernardo Fire Raging in San Diego

We had a really dry Winter in Southern California this year.  Even some of my cacti are shriveling up...  The wild shrub/chapparal is tinder dry.  I shot this picture out of our office building looking North at the Bernardo fire (at around 2pm).  As of 6pm, over 800 acres burned, 20,000 homes evacuated, BUT we've not lost any homes.  I can smell the smoke all the way down in Mission Valley.  Let's hope they get it under control soon. Meanwhile, it's air conditioning for the dog and I.  The temperatures are in the high 90s and tomorrow in the low 100s with a moderate hot, dry breeze from the East.  If you want to read more about this fire, here's a link.
KTLA News

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas.  These used to be pretty rare when I was a kid.  However, the population has rebounded significantly, now that they are no longer hunted.  They are generally unafraid of people and can often be seen coming up to breathe, even at some of the most busy beaches.

San Diego American Orchid Society Awards for May, 2014

Here are the American Orchid Society awards from the San Diego Judging on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

 Ansellia africana 'Arnilicious' AM/AOS

Cattleya intermedia coerulea '6760' AM/AOS

Ocean Beach, San Diego, California

I decided to try the new wide angle lens during a sunset at Ocean Beach California.  Here's what resulted...(note, the first one is with a zoom but #2 and #3 are with the wide angle).  Doesn't it just make you want to move to San Diego?

 The last bit of sun before the sun dipped below the waves.

The ever-present Seagulls looking for clams.

A good wide angle shot of the beach and fishing pier.