The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, located in Santa Cruz on the bluffs above the Monterey Bay, is a true gem. Don’t expect the grandeur of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but be prepared for a smaller, quieter, more intimate experience here. The location is phenomenal. On a clear day, the views can’t be beat. Inside theContinue reading “Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz”
Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
When the tide is low, head out to the rocky, north end of Natural Bridges State Beach to explore the tide pools. Look for sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and more. So fun! For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach, visit the California State Parks website… http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541 If you’re here betweenContinue reading “Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Within Natural Bridges State Beach, in Santa Cruz, you’ll find the Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, a grove of eucalyptus trees where thousands of Monarch Butterflies spend the winter each year. The butterflies may be viewed by taking a short 0.75 mile Monarch Trail loop through the Preserve, or by simply taking the short, wheel-chair accessibleContinue reading “Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Silent Saturday: Swan, Heron
A pond in Santa Cruz, California November 23rd, 2012
Special Photo Challenge: Inspiration
What inspires me to blog? Sharing the natural beauty I see, hoping to inspire others to head outdoors, too. Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Photo taken by my husband, June, 2012 *** Special Photo Challenge: Inspiration
Happy Thanksgiving!
My little Wanpanoag is ready for the feast! For those of you in the U.S., enjoy your time with family and friends today.
Crissy Field, San Francisco
On Monday morning, my husband and I went for a run out at Crissy Field in San Francisco (while our so rode his bike). This is my absolute favorite spot to run in the Bay Area. Luckily, it’s also an awesome trail for kids to ride bikes! I took a couple photos from the EastContinue reading “Crissy Field, San Francisco”
Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Another place we love to visit in Tilden Regional Park is the Botanic Garden. I enjoy experiencing the seasonal changes of this garden throughout the year. These images are from our visit on Sunday, November 18th, 2012, on a quiet morning after two days of rain. Interested in going? The Regional Parks Botanic Garden isContinue reading “Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley”
Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
The Jewel Lake Trail in Tilden Regional Park is a great hike to do with little kids. The loop is about a mile, is mostly flat, and has a fun variety of things to see and do. I like to take my son on this walk whenever we’re in the Tilden Nature Area, usually toContinue reading “Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Photos taken November 18th, 2012 Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley *** Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley
The Tilden Little Farm, located within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, is a favorite destination for just about every little kid I know. For over a week now, my five-year-old has been begging me to take him there to feed the animals, so we headed over today. Here’s a little history of the Farm, fromContinue reading “Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley”
BMX Fun, Memorial Park, San Ramon
A favorite after school activity… playing with friends at the local BMX park! Memorial Park, San Ramon, CA
Backyard Birds: Sparrows
We now have both juvenile White-crowned Sparrows and juvenile Golden-crowned Sparrows visiting our yard. Now that I can see both, frequently side-by-side, I can clearly see the difference. The one I thought last week was a Golden-crowned Sparrow is definitely a White-crowned one. Here are a few photos of the fist-year Golden-crowned Sparrows who visitedContinue reading “Backyard Birds: Sparrows”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal
Renewal, to me, is when the hills begin to turn green after our first few rains. We typically go for five-six months without rain here in the San Francisco East Bay, so the grasses are pretty brown and thirsty by this time of year. It’s lovely to see the hills “renewing” already! The hill behindContinue reading “Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal”
Acorn Woodpecker, Sunol Regional Wilderness
Wow, I can really see how this bird got its name!! There were four Acorn Woodpeckers busy pecking holes in this tree and filling them with their stash. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds site… “Their social lives are endlessly fascinating: they store thousands of acorns each year by jamming them intoContinue reading “Acorn Woodpecker, Sunol Regional Wilderness”
Silent Saturday: Little Yosemite, Sunol Regional Wilderness
Images from my hike this morning on the trail to Little Yosemite in Sunol Regional Wilderness… You may also enjoy: Silent Saturday: Sunol Regional Wilderness
Neighborhood: Flowers
Photos taken on our neighborhood walk, November 6th, 2012
Neighborhood: Leaves on the Ground
More photos from our November 6th “Signs of Fall Walk”. Related post: Neighborhood: Leaves in Transition
Neighborhood: Lizard
We enjoyed a walk around our neighborhood yesterday, to look for some “signs of fall” and to collect leaves. It was another hot day here in the San Francisco East Bay… in the 80’s! This does not feel like November, but we can’t complain. The lizards are loving it, too! Also from this walk: Neighborhood: Continue reading “Neighborhood: Lizard”
Neighborhood: Leaves in Transition
Yesterday, I took a “Signs of Fall Walk” with my 5-year-old son. This is what we found… leaves in transition. Photos taken November 6th, 2012
Suburban Nature Explorations 