Rescued Owl

This great horned owl was injured and rescued by Pacific Wildlife Care - I've never seen an owl up that close before!  What huge eyes they have!  His handler said that he exerts 30 pounds of pressure with his talons! 

Playing With Photos

I have been having fun taking my photos and playing with them on a photo editing program.  Here's are some variations of the same photo.

I don't remember what this texture was called, but I think it's interesting!

This was called "ripple".

This one was the original, just color enhanced a little with a white matte outline applied.

This one looks like it's on canvas.

And this is called "posterize". 

Leaving the Nest

I was looking out my window today and saw a wonderful sight.  Mama and Papa Bluejay were getting their little ones (not so little anymore) ready to "leave the nest".  The youngsters looked like they were testing and exercising their wings.  I think the parents were trying to encourage their brood to take to the skies!   I watched for a long time, then went to fix lunch.  When I returned, they were all gone.  Whew!  Another brood raised!

No one can see me in here!

When is mom coming back?

Okay, this is it, from now on you'll have to find your own lunch!

What, you all want some more?

I think we're supposed to flap them up and down!

Okay children, it's time for you to go!  Spread those wings and fly!

Geococcyx Californianus

That's the scientific name of one of our resident birds....the Roadrunner.  Sometimes called a Chaparral Cock.

I enjoy watching our resident roadrunner.....he (or she) doesn't show up too much, and always seems to be in a hurry, but if I have my camera ready, I can get a shot or two before he (or she) scoots off.  I followed one up the hill into the oak trees the other day and found out that they will fly up into the trees.  Like the cartoon character, the roadrunner prefers walking or running (up to 17 mph.), and is one of the few birds that can catch and eat a rattlesnake!

I really love their jaunty topnot!

Busy Bluebirds

Well, raising a brood of bluebirds is no easy job!  Mom and Pop Bluebird have been constantly looking for tasty morsels for their hungry babies!  The babies are very vocal, and whenever one of the parents brings back a bug or worm, they're right at the door, mouths wide open!  There are at least 4 babies.  I watched them for about 30 minutes yesterday evening....they are very good parents - flying out to look for food, and bringing a variety of offerings back to their noisy offspring. 

This is a nice, big juicy flying thing....I'll bet my babies will like it!

Okay, which one got the last bug?

Open wide....you'll love this fat worm!

I just can't seem to fill them up!

Guess we'll have to keep this up all night!

AT THE IRIS FARM

Sunday

Brunch at Moonstone Beach Grill - sitting outside on the patio looking at the gulls and the ocean.  Sipping a mimosa.

Driving home on Highway 46 enjoying the scenery.

Watching the horses frolic

A very nice day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

My mom, Charlene, and my daughter, Kristen

Blue Birds At Home

Once again Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird have chosen our birdhouse in which to raise their family!  They have bypassed the "real" bluebird house for the ornamental birdhouse, but this is the 3rd year they have used it, so they must like it!  The eggs have hatched (we peeked in) and mama and papa are extremely busy taking turns bringing home yummy birdy snacks for the hungry babies!