After our great time with the Gun Bloggers, we headed toward home via the Owens Valley. At one point, we stopped at Manzanar (more on that later) where I snapped several images of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I stitched them together to make this panoramic image.
Mount Whitney, the highest point in the CONUS is visible in this image. I can’t pick it out – can you? Click the thumbnail image below to enlarge.
In just a few more days, we will be taking off for the Gun Blogger Rendezvous in Reno. On the way, we’re planning to stop and take in some of the scenery. Our first stop is going to be Yosemite National Park.
It has been many years since either of us has visited Yosemite. We’re going to stay the night before near the park and will take the scenic drive to some of the highlights before heading to our next destination, probably near Lake Tahoe. Reno will be the next stop after we see some of the Tahoe area attractions. We’re still working out the details.
I captured the picture above just a few minutes ago from the Turtleback Webcam featured on the Yosemite National Park multimedia page. You can click the image to enlarge.
I went into the back yard this morning and saw a hawk perched on my garden utility cart. I quietly rushed back into the house to get my camera and quietly returned to get some photos. The young bird stayed long enough for me to get several images. The composite image above is made from the best of the perched and in flight images.
According to my copy of “Birds of the Los Angeles Region,” this is probably a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk. This species is a year-round resident in the area and is known to ambush smaller birds as they feed. Cooper’s Hawks are often seen hunting around bird feeders – our feeders are to the left of the perched image, just out of the frame.
This bird and his ancestors have been coming around our yard for several years. We enjoy seeing their beautiful plumage and love the way they glide and soar overhead showing off their flares feathers.
I can’t add much to this photo except to say “Where else but California?” Click on the image for a closer look.
Mentioned in yesterday’s post, the low-hanging fog at Morro Bay gathers around the top of the rock. I took this photo from the beach just across from the RV park where we stayed. Click on the image to enlarge.
Out of the Black and into the Blue
On July 17, 1989 at Edwards Air Force Base, Northrop and the United States Air Force rolled out this magnificent aircraft. I watched the closed circuit TV coverage from the media center at Northrop Electro-Mechanical Division in Anaheim, California.
Damsel and I later had the privilege to visit the B2 production facility in Palmdale for a group tour and a fly-by. It was spectacular.
Photo taken by The Flying Kiwi at the 2005 Air Show at Edwards Air Force Base. Be sure and visit the link for more photos from the air show. Click image to enlarge.
Yesterday, we attended a bonsai show and sale at the South Coast Botanic Garden. Naturally, after viewing the exhibits at the show, we took our usual stroll through the gardens. We always enjoy the cactus and succulent garden, but it is especially nice this time of year when many varieties are in bloom.
I paused at this South African Euphorbia ledienii to photograph the tiny yellow flowers covering the crown. Just as I did so, a honey bee decided to sample some of the succulent nectar from the tiny yellow buds. Click on the image to enlarge.
