San Diego County Orchid Society Fall Show AOS Awards

Lc Little Irene 'Lise' AM/AOS 80pts

Onc Alosuka 'Claire' AM/AOS 80pts

Phal Malibu Bistro 'Richard Waugh' HCC/AOS 76 pts

Guarianthe bowringiana

Guarianthe bowringiana blooming in the Sunroom.  This easy growing bifoliate forms specimen sized clumps with huge heads of flowers.  These are native to Belize and Guatemala.

Fall Color

A bit of color to brighten up your Fall Season.

Cycnoches herrenhusanum

Cycnoches herrenhusanum blooming in the sunroom.  This species is native to Columbia and Ecuador.

Scott Lost, Cartoon Artist

Scott Lost (a.k.a. Scott Epperson), former Pro wrestler, and now accomplished cartoon artist, displaying one of his first published works, Johnny Wrestling "Man of a Million Holds", at Comic Fest.

Jorge Pacheco at San Diego Comic Fest

Jorge Pacheco, one of the amazingly talented artists and comic book illustrators at the San Diego Comic Fest.  The San Diego Comic Fest was started by the founders of Comic Con, to refocus on comic book art and illustration.  His portfolio included my favorite Looney tune characters, Scooby Doo and many more!

Camp Pendleton Fire

The Camp Pendleton Fire as seen from Mission Valley.  It reached around 1,500 acres.  I'm glad it didn't head South.

San Diego International Orchid Fair Awards

 

AOS Awards granted at today's judging at the San Diego International Orchid Fair at the San Diego Botanic Gardens.



(Blc Lois McNeil X C Valentine) 'Kathleen' HCC/AOS  

Cycnodes Richard Fulford 'Tyrone' HCC/AOS  

Lc Little Marmaid 'Lise' AM/AOS



Stanhopea florida

Stanhopea florida, in bloom in the back yard.

American Orchid Society San Diego Judging Awards for October 1, 2013

Cattleya Landate 'Feuerbach' AM/AOS, 81 points, owned by Renate Schmidt

Porcelain Wall Art

The artist, Pierre Bounaud, with his Porcelain Saggar piece at the Kellogg Gallery at Cal Poly Pomona.

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird, perched on my apricot tree.  I never tire of watching these guys.  This one is keeping a wary eye on the feeder.

Classroom, Laboratory and Administration building at Cal Poly Pomona

Classroom, Laboratory and Administration building at Cal Poly Pomona.  This triangular building is totally distinctive, particularly in the setting sun.  It was designed by Antoine Predock and built in 1993.  Sadly, this building sits on the San Jose Hills Fault and was not built to California Earthquake Safety Standards.  It is currently targeted for demolition.

San Diego Panorama

San Diego Panorama, shot from Coronado.  Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Setting Sun Over San Diego Harbor

Setting sun over San Diego Harbor, a lone seagull flying past one of the air craft carriers.

Seagull Beats the Heat

Seagull resting atop a shallow fountain, in the form of a whale's tail, to keep cool on a warm Summer's day.

Praying Mantis Eye to Eye

Praying Mantis, most likely a male Stagmomantis limbata or perhaps a Stagmomantis californica, giving me the look over.  I suspect he had a run in with the local Orb Weavers, as his right front leg (viewer's left) seems to show a little big of web residue.  The male S. limbata are attracted to lights and are a bit skinnier.  The females apparently do not fly.  This picture reminds me of some of the critters in the Sci-Fi movies.  You can almost imagine that him holding a cup in one hand, chatting on a bar stool (name that movie!).

The Orb Weavers Are Back

An Orb Weaver Spider, Neoscona crucifera, fixing its web in preparation for a busy night of activity.  These tend to be most prevalent in the hot days of late Summer as they spin their webs off of low hanging branches, overhangs and decks.

Chinese Moon Festival and Mooncakes

 

Mooncakes (Lotus seed with double yolks!).  Mooncakes (yuè bĭng) are a traditional Asian treat for the Asian Lunar Mid-Autumn Festival, a.k.a, the Moon Festival.  The Moon Festival is one the 15th day of the eighth month in the Asian Lunar Calendar which coincides with the full moon.  This typically translates into somewhere between mid-September and early October.  This year, the Moon Festival is on September 19th.  The moon cakes are typically only made just prior to the moon festival and, along with a host of other treats such as candied fruits and vegetables and sweet nut bars, are eaten to celebrate the festival (and traditionally, the fall harvest).  It was also a time for the children to visit and honor their parents and grandparents, sometimes by pouring tea for the elders.  In today's non-agrarian society, the festival remains an Asian holiday and, for the rest of us, an opportunity to enjoy some of the seasonal treats and a nice excuse for a little celebration.

September American Orchid Society Judging

Dracula gorgona variety Xanthina 'Windflower' HCC/AOS, 79 points