I’ve been visiting Yosemite National Park my entire life. My adventures there began at a young age, with my first backpacking trip at three, followed by many more family camping, hiking, and backpacking trips throughout my childhood. As an adult, I’ve regularly visited the park three-four times per year. Before having a child, Yosemite, toContinue reading “10 Things To Do In Yosemite Valley With Little Kids”
Yosemite Squirrel
This is where a squirrel belongs… out foraging in nature. He’s beautiful… Unlike this one… out pestering hikers for a free lunch.
Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography
Just in the past few months, my son has become interested in cameras and photography. Both my husband and I are into photography, so he sees us using our cameras a lot. He loves to sit on my lap and watch me while I’m reviewing photos on our computer. He adores the images of theContinue reading “Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography”
Nature Fun for Kids: Take a Photo Walk
Our new favorite nature outing is to take a walk together with our cameras. Provide a child with a camera, and he’ll see the world in a different way. Every day while in Yosemite National Park last week, my son begged us to take him outside to photograph the flowers. Obviously, Yosemite naturally calls toContinue reading “Nature Fun for Kids: Take a Photo Walk”
Originally posted on Suburban Nature Explorations:
I’ve been entered in the Circle of Mom’s Top 25 Photographer Moms contest. In order to be placed in the top 25, I need your help. Please take a moment to vote.. it will truly only take a few seconds of your time! Click on this link… http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Photographer-Moms-2012 Scroll…
Yosemite… Flowers Everywhere
Our first day in Yosemite, my five-year-old and I took a walk to check out the wildflowers. I was impressed with his enthusiasm. First, he exclaimed, ” Look! Milkweed!!!” Then a bit later, “And Indian Paintbrush!!” These little blue butterflies were fluttering about everywhere. Magical…
Ah… Yosemite
We’ve been in Yosemite for the past week without Internet access. We’re home now, and I’ll catch up with you all as soon as I can! Hope you had a great week!! This is the view from the top of Sentinel Dome… a great hike to do with kids!
Plums, Pomegranates, Play, and More!
We enjoyed a lovely visit with my mom this weekend. A few photos from our walks around the yard…
The Bee in the Zucchini
Luckily, my son is observant. I would’ve missed this if it weren’t for him. While at my parent’s house over the weekend, my son and I were sent down to the garden to pick a fresh zucchini. I asked my son to look in the plant to see if he could find the best oneContinue reading “The Bee in the Zucchini”
The California Towhee
The California Towhee family has been hanging out in our backyard for months and months, but I’ve been struggling to capture a photograph of the little guys. They like to hop around on the ground, eating the seeds the other birds have knocked out of the feeder. This is also the bird who ate allContinue reading “The California Towhee”
Good Night…
Camping out tonight in my parent’s backyard… super fun!
Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 2, Riding Bikes at Redwood Regional Park
After spending the morning at the beach (Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 1, Shorebird Park, Berkeley ), we headed into the Oakland Hills for an afternoon bike ride at Redwood Regional Park. One of my favorite ways to escape the heat on a hot summer day is to escape into the redwoods! The paved trailContinue reading “Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 2, Riding Bikes at Redwood Regional Park”
Please Vote for Me! Top 25 Photographer Moms 2012
I’ve been entered in the Circle of Mom’s Top 25 Photographer Moms contest. In order to be placed in the top 25, I need your help. Please take a moment to vote.. it will truly only take a few seconds of your time! Click on this link… http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Photographer-Moms-2012 Scroll down to find “A Nature Mom”Continue reading “Please Vote for Me! Top 25 Photographer Moms 2012”
Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 1, Shorebird Park, Berkeley
We celebrated the Summer Solstice yesterday with two awesome nature outings. The first? Beach play with friends at Shorebird Park in Berkeley. I’ve been wanting to visit this park for a while now, as this is where the famous Adventure Playground (considered by National Geographic to be one of the top ten playgrounds in theContinue reading “Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 1, Shorebird Park, Berkeley”
Playtime at the Oakland Zoo
As an alternative to the local park or nature area, one of our favorite places for some quality outdoor playtime is the Oakland Zoo. The weather today was much cooler than expected (in the 70s instead of the 100s, as it was a few days ago in the Bay Area). Perfect weather for a lateContinue reading “Playtime at the Oakland Zoo”
Another Favorite… The Coyote
Early yesterday morning, while waiting for the water for my tea to boil, my son brought me to wakefulness by loudly exclaiming… “THE COYOTE! THE COYOTE! MOMMY! GET THE CAMERA! IT’S THE COYOTE!” I had to move fast… Here are my pre-caffeine photos of the coyote hunting for his breakfast on the hill behind ourContinue reading “Another Favorite… The Coyote”
Camping in the Redwoods, Butano State Park
Butano State Park… I love this place! It’s a short drive from our home in the San Francisco East Bay, as it takes us little over an hour to reach Pescadero. The campground is small, quiet, tucked away in a canyon filled with redwoods. Camping here is an annual tradition for us, and is usuallyContinue reading “Camping in the Redwoods, Butano State Park”
Strawberry Picking Fun! Swanton Berry Farm U-Pik
As part of our annual summer camping trip to Butano State Park, our tradition is to go strawberry picking at our favorite organic u-pik farm, Swanton Berry Farm, located just south of Pescadero (or north of Santa Cruz). This is an easy day trip from the Bay Area, and great to incorporate into a visitContinue reading “Strawberry Picking Fun! Swanton Berry Farm U-Pik”
Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
On our way back to the car from the San Francisco Botanical Garden (see post from yesterday), we took a little detour to visit Stow Lake. We first discovered the lake on a visit to Golden Gate Park a few weeks ago. Now, how did we “discover” a lake that’s been there since 1893? LetContinue reading “Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco”
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park
My husband, a 5th grade teacher, is now on vacation for the summer. We celebrated the beginning of the season with a family trip to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park. Neither my husband nor I had been here before, so we were excited to explore. The second Tuesday of eachContinue reading “San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park”
Suburban Nature Explorations 