Even after more than ten years in Southern California, the lushness after winter rains still amazes me. In early to mid January, the landscape and vegetation can appear as if it was at the peak of spring, already.
Escondido
Lake Hodges Dawn from Del Dios Highlands
With a slight delay, here are three more photos from the early morning hike to Del Dios Highlands with my photo-friend Lawrence. Unlike the previous images, these are a bit more “typical landscapes” that actually include a portion of the sky. ;)
Del Dios Highlands Dawn
Wednesday morning I was out for another sunrise photo activity. I know, I know – so many sunrises, lately. I don’t even recognize myself anymore either! ;)
More Summer Colors
While we’re waiting for rain, here are a few more photos with the typical summer colors of Southern California, made during walks and hikes at Lake Hodges, along the Coast to Crest Trail, and at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, in September and October.
Autumnal Equinox and San Diego Fall Colors
Appreciating San Diego & Southern California’s unique fall colors of the chaparral and sage scrub plant communities.
Male Anna’s Hummingbird
Sometimes I’m lucky (and I think I deserve it – just like everybody else;-). I’ve begun to haul the 200-500mm lens around on local walks recently, and today in the morning I dragged “Big Bertha” (as a friend calls it) up to Bernardo Mountain. 4 1/2 pounds extra weight are fun, why not?
I was actually looking for wildflowers (and found a pretty Allium praecox, Early Onion) when I saw this male Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) perched on a charred Ceanothus twig. It was completely isolated from the surrounding shrubs and I had the sun behind me. The bright morning light brought out the iridescent magenta glow on the little bird’s crown and gorget. I almost couldn’t believe my luck!