Looking south back toward the house. The arches in the rock are inviting...doors to swim through, but not today. Brrr...
I did see an otter dining in the cove...someone who actually belongs in the water. But can't you just see yourself gliding through that little hole in the wall?
My camera can see the house ....
glowing in the afternoon light. What a perch to return to.
A nice picture of Point Lobos wound up on my write purpose blog. I hope you'll come ready to read a bit. And please don't forget, I enjoy your comments and the opportunity to search out your web offerings. Oh my, the underside of the clouds left from this morning's storm are glowing red. I better get out there, these sunset moments don't last long.
Literally at the Crossroads, just out of the corner of my eye, on an empty lot, I saw a Great Blue Heron. I took this photo while still in the car (from the passenger seat, I'm not crazy) and then asked to get out of the car, please. I wanted to get closer...if you click on these photos you can get closer views too. Use your back button to return to the post.
The field is polka dotted with the holes of gophers and still sporting some golden poppies. After we met, I read that although the Great Blue Heron is
"primarily a fish eater, wading (often belly deep) along the shoreline of oceans, marshes, lakes, and rivers, it also stalks upland fields for rodents, especially in winter. "
Learning this about Heron's feeding habits helped me understand the normalcy of the Heron's early November jaunt to the shopping center, which isn't all that far from the marsh at the river's end at the ocean. I did see one diving beak motion down into the ground before I approached. I realize now I may have delayed this bird's dinner procurement and I already had mine in the bag. It's amazing how just a little undeveloped land can provide for wildlife. Directly to the west of where we visited is a gas station and to the north is a motel. Across the street one can bank or buy groceries, flowers, jewels, coffee, or books and there are lots and lots of cars,
but the empty lot is a small paradise. Rightly wary, we both remained respectful in our dance of approach and distance but of course the Great Blue set the rules for boundaries.
~Such a beautiful bird~
all else faded away as this elegant bird captured me.
Standing tall this Great Blue is at least three feet. This may be a younger bird and or female, as the plumage is not too fanciful.
Must you go? I must too. I thank you for the visit, lovely bird. I'm glad your terrain includes many vistas far and beyond the road. Next time I see you, I'll be more polite about your meal times. I was glad to learn you thrive all over the continent, and I am especially glad that we are neighbors. You can visit my garden anytime... we've got gophers aplenty.
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Not that you missed me, but I have been away from home and the computer and consequently this web log. We walked out
the garden gate and drove on up the road.
Sunday afternoon we visited with many old friends and my brother, Steve, before we headed to check on our house "up there" that is currently rented out. Report of leak on a deck that is also a roof over a special room that looks out into the garden mandated that Mark see what was needed. With the rains coming, it was basically he that was needed. It was not the kind of job one can hire out...improvisation is one of his many skills. Next season we hope to revisit the repair in a much larger way, but for now, all should stay dry.
But first he had to take me east to stay with his momma, the original heart of our journey, that old leak just being a minor but demanding complication. While Mark was busy driving back and forth and repairing the deck I accompanied Miss B. through some special needs and I must say she is a very brave lady indeed.
One night I worked
a bit on this vintage quilt top.
The blocks were made by hand, but by whose hand I do not know. The fabrics truly seem like "her aprons or blouses" and "his shirts." I joined them together and found a backing I like. I was able to pin baste and then sew baste the sandwich together, but that is as far as I got for now. I also sat and did a little hand sewing in the hospital waiting room and during one night of television. It was calming to have needle and thread in my hands. We had nice dinners together. I roasted vegetables, cooked sauce for pasta, made soup and some guacamole for which I tried to make tortillas...but corn grits doesn't quite work...they tasted good though.
Up and back on different roads, we drove through beautiful lands...I didn't take a single picture except in my mind's eye, of the tumble down barns and black cows, new grass pushing through the golden straws of last summer and leaves and berries in bright reds and oranges sprinkled amongst the tree greens. Every corner of the land has its own colors...
and now we are back to the blue Pacific on the granite cliffs.
Pink sky and the moon just about to drift away as Monday morning unfolds.
It's a new day
All these colors but the palette of a moment...more colors coming of course. They'll be brighter and bluer and the green trees where the birds have hidden the night will sound with singing.
It reminds me of images in Psalm 104
1 Praise the LORD, o my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the the heavens like a tent...
12 The birds of the air nest by the water; they sing among the branches...
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered...
17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.
19 The moon marks off the seasons...
22 the sun rises...
23 Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
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Monday morning and there is much to do and I'm sure that's true for you too. Thank you for stopping by for an early morning visit. The gulls are flying now, their wings white with sunlight.
