Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

California

By the Sea

It might be blustery and snowy in Copenhagen and there might be a blizzard heading into Washington D.C. but it’s sunny and nice in California. Maybe the planners of the Global Doom meetings and conferences should have their meetings in Acapulco or Key West. On second thought, the Gore effect would probably bring snow and freezing there and tick off the tourism industries.

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Meanwhile, here in the L.A. area, it’s still pleasant enough to go with your husband and dog for a stroll along the cliffs overlooking the blue Pacific – not too warm, not too cool.

BUT – before you schedule your move here, consider that we’re WAY overdue for our next 6+ seismic event. Just saying . . .

18 Dec 2009 by California Critters Environment

Pelican Point

pelican-point.jpgThat is not the actual name of Point Vicente, but it seemed appropriate as these California Brown pelicans soared along the cliffs today. Catalina Island can be seen in the distance with historic Point Vicente Lighthouse on the left. Click on the image to enlarge.

According to WikiPedia, the Brown Pelican was listed as endangered since 1970 when its numbers dipped to 10,000. Since then, the population of Brown Pelican had been climbing and was recently removed from the list in November 2009. Current estimates place the population at 650,000 individuals.

This flight of a baker’s dozen was the largest number of birds that passed us today. Other groups that passed were as few as two, and averaged about five or six.

16 Dec 2009 by California Critters

First Snowfall of the Season

First Southern California SnowWay off in the distance in this photo (about 40 miles), are the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest. Yesterday, and the night before, precipitation came to our area and was billed by the local weather reporters as the ‘first major storm’ of the season.

After the storm passed, it got quite windy. The wind caused a short power interruption here, inconveniently, right in the middle of the Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Ravens Monday Night Football game. The power was only out for a few tens of seconds, not really enough time to get the emergency flashlights turned on (we always keep one at each of our desks and on the table next to where we sit to watch TV. The game came back on after the DirecTV receiver re-acquired the signal. We watched the remainder of the game without any other power interruptions.

You can click on Damsel‘s image above to see the 1024×768 pixel version. Damsel was happy that Green Bay won the game.

08 Dec 2009 by California Environment Sports

Fall Colors in Coastal California

fall-colors.jpg

Many folks who don’t live here, see the California Coast as a place where you don’t have four seasons. While the seasons here don’t take on many of the extreme characteristics of the weather experienced elsewhere, we do have distinct seasons.

The colors in these trees with deciduous leaves give the suburban areas a definite sense of fall. By January, the leaves will all have fallen and the branches will be bare until late march or early April. Click on the image to enlarge.

24 Nov 2009 by California Environment

Out for a Drive

This is the view of Dockweiler State Beach near Los Angeles International Airport. We were returning from a dental appointment on Friday and took this scenic route home. Click on the image to enlarge.

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22 Nov 2009 by California Photography Travel

Stockpile in the Gun Locker

stockpile.jpgIt’s been about a year now, that ammunition has been scarce here in California, and, indeed, the entire nation. In particular, handgun calibers are not only difficult to find, but when you do find them, they’re expensive.

We have tried to stockpile enough ammo to be able to take any of our guns to the range. We’re not hoarding the ammo, but keep enough on hand that when a particular caliber is unavailable, we can still shoot some, and restock the pile when the caliber again becomes a available.

The last few months, there has been a greater availability, mostly at our shooting range, but not so much at retail outdoor and sporting stores in the area. Again, the range has some but you pay about 50% more than over a year ago.

In the image (click to enlarge), top left shelf, we have handgun calibers .45 ACP, .357 magnum, .38 special and 9mm. Below that, we store magazines and holsters. The bottom two shelves are where we keep the shotgun ammo, 12 and 20 gauge.

10 Nov 2009 by California Firearms Second Amendment

Model Train Show

This is the second year we took in the model train show at our local Botanic Garden. I love all trains – full size and models. Had we known about this annual show earlier, we would have started coming to them a long time ago.

We saw live steamers, electric trains and streetcars, realistic models and a lot of toys and whimsy. The layouts were intricate and nostalgic since most were set in the great train eras up to and including WWII.

The video starts with some stills of the indoor exhibits and then some video of the outdoor train sets. This was a family event and the kids loved watching the trains as much as us old guys.

The outdoor exhibits were set up near the cactus garden. I ran into a former colleague of mine, also retired, who was an exhibitor in the outside displays. We talked about how good it was that everyday was Saturday except for Sunday these days.

I would love to take up model railroading as a hobby, but I seem to have enough expensive pastimes as it is. You know, the cost of ammo and vacationing take their toll. We’ll just have to vicariously enjoy the train hobby at these shows.

07 Nov 2009 by California Culture Entertainment

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