Something that has puzzled me for a little bit. When you have a dozen surfers all waiting for the same wave, how do you decide who gets to catch a particular wave? Here are two surfers cruising along on the same wave. The guy on the right ducked out shortly afterwards.
Are adult California Brown Pelicans really BROWN? Judge for yourself. This one was hanging out on the Mission River hunting for fish.
The sun is back out again. There is a cool breeze but the skies are blue with scattered fluffy white clouds. That's why we live in San Diego!
The seagulls were out in force, taking advantage of the low tide to lounge around on the sandy riverbed. They scrounge up clams and squawk at each other. They socialize and just plain sit around.
I found this very beautiful cat looking back through the rocks, possibly in case one of his bretheren were about to pounce. So I've been having this conversation over whether cats or dogs are better. Here's a little something to get you started. For cats: smell better, good groomers, can be left alone, smarter (???); for dogs: faithful to a fault, always happy to see you, will go running with you. Against cats: can be aloof, can pack a nasty paw, chock full of allergens; Against dogs: more maintenance, smelly when wet, can be hyper. What do you think? Do the cats have it? Or do the dogs?
There were several pairs of American Wigeon, Anas americana, swimming along the edge of the San Diego river grazing on water plants. The male's bright colors make quite a display. Meanwhile, the six inch rain forecast seems to have turned into perhaps 2-3 inches. At least that is what was caught in the garbage cans that I emptied out this morning. Damp and gusty. In a little lull, I saw a large flock of white pelicans drift over the highway, slowly circling lazily over USD and into the distance.
A picture of a flock of sanderlings that were flying up and down the San Diego river bed in unison. They are a sight to see when in flight. They decided to camp out on the mud flat with a gull for a short rest.
This young California Brown Pelican was flapping and jumping along the water in little 10-20 ft. hops trying to catch a meal. He would land head first making a huge splash! I don't know if he succeeded in nabbing a fish but he looked a wet and a little tired. There is a bit of a pelican learning curve involved in catching dinner. At other beaches, I have seen adult pelicans diving from 50+ft. in the air for fish along the surface of the water.
This is a picture of the Makapu Blow Hole on Oahu. When the waves hit the rock, they force the air and water in a lava tube upward and into the air, at times creating plumes that rocket upwards of 30 feet.
It's raining really hard outside. It was tough to see out of the windshield with the wipers going full speed. People were actually driving BELOW the speed limit in San Diego, no less! Luckily, the house is still there and the street has not all washed into a gully as San Diego hillsides occassionally do. I'd bet the birdseed is a bit wet and the birds won't mind a bit.
This guy is clearly a water dog. He was having way too much fun chasing the birds. While he didn't catch any and it is a "dog beach," you'll not find too many birds nesting around there. It does make me miss my old dog a bit as well although she was definitely not a water dog.
There are over a dozen feral cats that live in the rocks along the mission river breakwater. There is a lady that comes by and feeds them and brings them water. They are beautiful cats that look fairly domestic. However, they don't come up to rub on people so it is hard to tell if they are cast aways from people that moved out of town or if they are actually breeding out there. This one was taking a nap in the sun among the rocks.
I found this Royal Tern, Sterna maxima, diving for fish in the Mission River Preserve in San Diego. I love watching terns for their amazing grace and speed as well as their deadly accuracy.
This is a Percula Clownfish in a carpet anemone. Now why would Nemo ever want to leave a home as spectacular as that?
Manini, or convict tang - so named for their stripes, are the cows of the sea. Large schools of them drift over the reef, cleaning the coral of algae as they browse. These were off of Waikiki beach on Oahu.
The island of Oahu in the Hawaiian island chain has two major mountain ranges, the Waianae range and the Koolau range. The erupting lava from the two volcanic chains created a plateau between, known to the Hawaiians as Wahiawa. It is known for its cool, moist climate. This picture was taken during one of the frequent showers as the sun peaked through.
This is an odd picture. Just as I snapped, the Godwit plunked his head into the water after some sort of food (PLUUNKKK). No head. Normally I'd toss a picture with a missing head but there was something about the play of the light over the water and the ripples from his head ducking into the water that was beautiful in an eerie sort of way. Basically, I liked it. Hope you like it too.
Is this a Samurai? Or is it just some wild painting I found pasted on a window? Either way, I thought it was really cool so I'm sharing it. In reality, the painting was pretty sun faded and pastel but I gave it a little color boost just for fun. Hope you enjoy it.
Another shot from a wonderful sunny day at Sunset beach on the North Shore of Hawaii. That's got to be a total adrenaline high, slicing though those waves.
I've been seeing migratory birds in Mission bay as I drove past on the way to school every day. I finally couldn't resist it any longer and stopped to take a peek and take a picture or two. Unfortunately, my trusty Nikon was at home so that left the not quite as fleet footed but much more portable pocket Cannon. I figured I'd try a video. So, tonight, I bring you the American Coot! A.k.a. cooties and mud. It looked like they were pulling up bog plants and perhaps worms and invertebrates. You decide.
