Howling Point

Ocean Festival 2014 outtake

Missing actual beach time during social distancing, and while going through the archives found this of two lifeguard competitors from the 2014 San Clemente Ocean Festival. Apparently this wasn't previously posted, so no unfortunately there's previous caption to rely on for additional details.

We're sitting here!

The original caption in September 2017 read "Sea lions pushing aside a late arrival on the rock."

Patio Fire

Fire Stick Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) on the patio. After nearly a week of heavy rain, I think both of us were fully appreciating a day of sunshine.

Our next Christmas card

The original caption from 2016: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO SIT STILL. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME POSE! WE HAVE RIGHTS! One dog was bad enough. We may never again have a complete family photo." Truer words were never spoken. Diego passed away two weeks ago but is still in our hearts; this is reposted for National Pet Day.

Lemon blossoms

Lemon tree on our patio blooming. Necessary step on the way to making lemonade.

Randy with Loaner Puppy

This was taken on the June 2017 visit to San Francisco, and the original caption read "By the third day Randy was starting to miss our pups at home, so when the opportunity arose he quickly bonded with the Devil Dog guarding the Dragon Gate." He's happy, the Devil Dog is happy, so what's not to be happy about.

Plumeria

Taken on a June 2010 vacation in Kona, the original caption read "Traditional hawaiian flowers, taken on the grounds of the Hulihe'e Palace in Kona." I've had a print of this one on my office wall for years

Who?

The original June 2011 caption simply read "Owls roosting in the rafters of the Mission San Miguel Arcangel." This was just one stop on a road trip through California's central coast (one of many) at a time when my husband was teaching fourth grade and collecting Mission handouts and photos for classroom use.

Approach!

Original caption from 2/2018: "The High Cat, Guardian of the Succulent Throne, will hear your pleas for mercy." This is a slightly recropped and and edited version of the original posted, which was one of two from a morning walk in the canyon. From the caption of a related photo "These were part of a group of seven cats I saw walking on the Saturday morning. They later scattered when a couple came by to feed them. The couple explained they were from the Feral Cat Society of San Diego, which feeds and fixes the cats found in Balboa Park, and that there were part of a population estimated at 30+."

Making swimming look like flying

Grounded from swimming at the moment, and the zoo's out-of-bounds, so living life vicariously through my overdressed little friend. From the original 7/2017 caption: "Penguin showing everyone how it's done in the new Penguin / Leopard Shark exhibit at San Diego Zoo's Africa Rocks."

Beauty and the tiny little beast

From the original 3/2018 caption: "Blossom at the Japanese Friendship Garden's Cherry Blossom Festival, with nasty little friend."

The water is cold

From the original January 2018 caption: "Even the wildlife that's around the water every day of the year agrees that in January it's cold and when it hits your feet it's time to leave."

Supermoon Sunrise

From the original November 15, 2016, caption: "Caught this farewell image of the Supermoon the morning of November 15 from the balcony at Casa."

The Rotunda

Taken on one stop of a Spring Break 2015 road trip, the original caption read: "I couldn't get perfect alignment because the guards and docents seemed overly concerned with me climbing on the statue at dead center of the Capital's lobby, but still managed this view of the rotunda at the State Capital in Sacramento."

Hummingbird Garden at the Tilden Hotel

Shot on a 2017 visit to San Francisco, thought it appropriate to share for a zen moment on Day Five of our self-isolation. The original caption: "Our hotel's tiny reserve of inner city tranquility in the heart of the Tenderloin. Koi, plants, adirondacks all anchored with some repurposed construction materials (scrap marble, including tombstones) to create a little place of zen. Loved our stay at the Tilden - this was just the icing on the cake."

Cemetery Monument

This photo was originally taken during a Spring Break road trip in 2015. Pulled it up today searching through the archives for the husband's class on the anniversary of President Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, the order to relocate Japanese Americans to internment camps, in 1942. From my original caption: "This is the monument to the 150 people who died behind barbed wire and were buried at the Manzanar Relocation Center. According to the sign the kanji characters read 'Soul Consoling Tower.'"

California Condor

Enjoying the morning sun; waiting for the morning tourists to become carrion.

Bateleur Eagle

(terathopius ecaudatus). Enjoying the good lighting in Africa Rocks at the San Diego Zoo.

Sunday morning

Beautiful morning with shirtsleeve weather (for me) in February, shot this looking north from the San Clemente Pier.

Sandpiper on a Sunday in San Clemente

The sandpiper was out for a stroll on the southside of the San Clemente Pier on this sunny Sunday morning

When That Snack Is Just Out Of Reach

Polar Bear weighing its options; smug bird knowing it's just far enough away.

Steller's Sea-eagle

(Haliaeetus pelagicus).

Sumatran Tiger

Just a big cat lounging around. Shot through the glass wall from the Longhouse at San Diego Zoo's Safari Park Tiger Trail.

Western Burrowing Owls

(Athene cunicularia hypugaea).

Angry Ocean

It's understandable...grumpy this early in the morning should be a natural right.

Last Sunday Sunrise of 2019

One final early morning session at La Jolla Cove for 2019.

Breaking Free

Original caption: "Cal Rugger runs with the ball after breaking free." This was shot standing on the sideline of a match between Cal and the Old Mission Bay Athletic Club (OMBAC) at the Rugby Invitational on February 8, 2008. Album notes mention that the Golden Bear Ruggers won handily, with a final score of 37-15.

Going the other way

Heading south on the south side of the Crystal Pier. Dawn patrol shot on Sunday October 20, 2019.

Dawn Patrol

North side of the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach early morning on Sunday October 20, 2019.

Test of Wills meets Test of Physics.

The little one, either being playful or testing boundaries, was trying to push back various adults this morning - it looked cute but he never really stood a chance.

Who's watching whom?

Spent a long time watching the warthogs at Safari Park this morning, but this one was watching right back. Also, who are you calling 'common'?

Reflections

House of Hospitality reflected in the Lily Pond during a thirty-second exposure night shot at Balboa Park

Ghost Ducks

With a thirty-second exposure I was expecting the ducks to blur - more surprised at the few that seemingly didn't move for the entire shot.

Fountain

Fog rolled in spoiling my original plans, but very happy with the long-exposure shots I did get. This is one of two fountains on either side of the Botanical Building at Balboa Park.

One on One

Original caption: "Davis redshirt freshman Ryan Hagens takes a late game penalty shot against the Sagehens." This was taken at the UC Davis defeat of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens at the 2008 UC San Diego Triton Invitational, an annual local college water polo tournament. I keep a 14x14 canvas print of this in my office just for the look of determination on the goalie's face.

Up High For The Toss

This was taken in February 2009 at the San Diego Rugby Invitational at the Del Mar Polo Grounds during a match between the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Naval Academy teams. I entered a print of this in juried competition at the San Diego County Fair later that year, where it brought home an Honorable Mention.

Close call

Tough to row when the boats are this close. The race was (arguably) decided on a collision out near the buoys.

Not ideal entry (II)

Seconds after a related picture of the same crew.

Not ideal entry (I)

The race included three laps, with one member of each boat exiting and running to shore at the end of each lap. Returning to the boat on the fly was the challenge, and occasional hazard.

Not avoiding the obvious

So wanting to make burger jokes. So many tasty options. Must... resist.

Racing

Competitors competing their event in the 2-man Rescue Relay.

Good morning

Competitor getting warmed up at the Ocean Festival lifeguard competition.

Balance

Working on the balance for dory boat race entrance.

White

Most of the boats had sponsors of some sort. The announcers just kept referring to this one as the 'white boat.'

Before you paddle...

Gotta get the boat lined up.

Rowing and waves

Pushing through the surf.

Moving the boat

Getting the boat in position.

Getting the boat from land to sea.

Early morning prep work for the dory boat races at the Greatest Show on Surf.