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.

On the Breakwater

On the breakwater at Queen's Surf, Waikiki, Hawaii.

Mime with chair and stuffed dog

Mime with chair and stuffed dog, Little Italy, San Diego, California.  Do you suppose a real dog would work better?  I didn't realize he was a live person until he moved!

Cattleya amesthystoglossa

Cattleya amesthystoglossa is in season.  This particular clone has particularly large, brilliant spots.  This orchid species is a native of Brazil where it grows in hot, humid conditions along the coast in Bahia, Minas Gerais and Pernambuco.

Oriental Flower Beetle

An Oriental Flower Beetle, Protaetia orientalis, caught in a dish of water in Kaneohe, Hawaii.  This rather pretty, though invasive, beetle is native to East Asia but has gained a foothold in Hawaii.  The Oriental Flower Beetle feeds on flower pollen, nectar, fermenting sap, and damaged fruit.  It likely arrived in Hawaii along with imported fruit or flowers and has since spread to multiple islands.

Cattleya schofieldiana

Cattleya schofieldiana blooming at Kawamoto Orchid Nursery.  These are natives of coastal Brazil.

Artificial Propagation of Coral

Coral propagation tank at the Waikiki Aquarium.  The Waikiki Aquarium has an ongoing coral propagation initiative to save sensitive coral species in captivity.  It appears to be quite successful so far!

Octopus Tete a Tete!

Octopus staring at its own reflection. Does it know it's only a reflection, a mere ruse?  These are shy but intelligent creatures and it may just realize that it's looking at itself!

Renanthera Kalsom 'Red Dragon'

Renanthera Kalsom 'Red Dragon' at Kawamoto Orchid Nursery.  This photo was shot just after a heavy rain.  I never tire of seeing these moderate sized Renantheras!  This wonderful, easy growing hybrid is a cross of Renantherea philippinensis and Renanthera storiei.

The Tailed Jay Butterfly

The Tailed Jay, Graphium agamemnon, is a member of the swallowtail family, its native habitat extends from India, throughout Southeast Asia and parts of the Southern Pacific, down through Australia.  Its native food source is Polyantha logifolia, the false Ashoka or Asopalav Tree, which is sometimes used for a noise and wind break.

Paphiopedilum haynaldianum

Paphiopedilum haynaldianum, blooming in the sun room.  I really like this particular clone for its bright colors and wider segments (versus the one I posted previously).  Of course, I like haynaldianum in a general sense for its amazing combination of glossy hot pink, line green and polka dots combined with those deep sweeping petals.  What's not to like? This species is found in nature in the Philippines and, if treated well, grows into huge clumps.

Pleurothallis alvaroi

Pleurothallis alvaroi, a somewhat variable Columbian Pleurothallid species found near Medellin at around 6000 feet.  Reasonably sized for a Pleurothallid but diminutive, as orchid species go.

The Paper Kite Butterfly, Idea leuconoe

The Paper Kite Butterfly, Idea leuconoe, is native of Southeast Asia, where the caterpillars feed on plants in the genus Parsonia.

The Great Orange Tip Butterfly

The Great Orange Tip Butterfly, Hebomoia glaucippe, is in the Pieridae family, and is native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia.  It's life span is only a bit over three months during which time it lives on the juices of rotten fruit.  Interestingly enough, it also has a toxin in its wing tips called glacontryphan-M, a peptide toxin also found in the stinger of Conus marmoreus, the marbled cone (found in tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific), which uses the toxin to prey on other cone shells.  In the butterfly, it is likely defensive.