When we got up this morning, we stayed in our sweats and house shoes for most of the day until it was time to take our after dinner one-mile walk. I took this photo of my husband and “Bear” wearing their “jammies” on the patio this morning. Click on the image to see the full-sized photo.

In between the rain showers today, the sun came out long enough for this bee to pollinate one of the Icelandic poppies out front of the house. Click on the image to enlarge.

There is a turn-out along Palos Verdes Drive South where there is parking and access to the beach for fishermen and hikers. We pulled in to the lot and waited until a flock of pelicans passed by. I got several pictures including this one after several birds flew past the access.

Click on the image to enlarge.

These beautiful birds were on the endangered species list, but their numbers are now plentiful along the coastline ranging from Cabo San Lucas to Eureka and beyond. This handsome specimen flew so low and close to my camera today that you can practically see the whites of its eyes. Click on the image below to see the glorious extra-large close-up.

(Cap’n Bob: “I believe this is the best photo Damsel has ever taken of a California Brown Pelican.”)

On the weekends, we give our dog, Bear, an ice cream treat for dogs (Frosty Paws). Last weekend, when I opened up the treat for her, I saw an alien looking out at me . . .

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.

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 . . .

That 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.

The little birds that normally gather around the bird feeder in our back yard were definitely not present for the visit. It seems that Cooper’s Hawk is a predator of small rodents and birds as large as doves and pheasants. This one appears to be an adult male hawk, with a wingspan of about 30 inches.

Click on the image to see a different image in a larger size.

From WikiPedia:

These birds capture prey from cover or while flying quickly through dense vegetation, relying almost totally on surprise. Most prey are mid-sized birds, with typical prey including American Robins, jays, woodpeckers, European Starlings, icterids and doves. Birds preyed on can range in size from wood-warblers to Ring-necked Pheasants. Cooper’s Hawks also eat small mammals, especially rodents such as chipmunks and tree squirrels. Mammalian prey can be as small as mice and as large as hares. Other possibilities are lizards, frogs, snakes and large insects. The hawks often pluck the feathers off their prey on a post or other perch. They are increasingly seen hunting smaller songbirds in backyards with feeders. They will perch in trees overlooking the feeders, then swoop down and scatter the other birds in order to capture one in flight.