I LOVE THE ANGLE OF THE LIGHT THIS TIME OF YEAR OVER AT THE LAKE

 

THE ONLY TWO FERALS THAT WE HAVE VISITING US DAILY TO EAT

 I guess the rest of them found their "areas" and just two of them are still here.  That big guy has been my favorite.  His name is "Bootsie" and as big as he is, he has a meow like a 6 week old kitten.  

They were out in the back yard the other day while i was refilling the bird feeders.  

They are at their water containers.

I STILL REMEMBER THE DAY

 Back in the early 2000's we visited Seaport Village in San Diego and was sitting in a restaurant which I can picture but can't remember the name.  We were sitting near the window looking out at the ocean when this bird landed on the window frame as if he was waiting for us to throw some food out for him.

Not sure why this came up in my photos today other than to remind me that I really NEED to go to San Diego again.  I guess because winter is coming I'm remembering all the places I want to go when we are dealing with cold weather in the mountains and I want a sense of spring or summer somewhere else.

And the rest of the birds are from our last trip to San Diego which has to be about 7  or so years ago.  I think we're due to another visit.

I'm putting these here again on this blog to remind myself and to hint to Mike that it's time to go again at least for one overnight trip.

A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AT THE LAKE

While walking down by the lake I noticed this plant.  The wind was blowing and this leaf flipped over in the wind.  I had tried to straighten it up for a photograph and realized it was best to leave it this way  and then I saw why - I looked closer and it was really beautiful.

IN MY ONGOING SELF EDUCATION ON FLOWERS I LEARNED A NEW NAME TODAY

 While over at Lake Gregory walking on the trail around the lake I took photos of this plant.  Once I looked it up it had a familiar name, one I have heard of before but never knew really what the flower looked like.  

Another day is lining up for a beautiful walk - not sure where but this time of year I have to get out every day because in the winter so many days I'm stuck inside.  

The rest of the photos are just random scenes around the lake.  

Evidently yarrow is a healing plant, wrote of in a story about Achilles.  

 Achilles was the bravest, handsomest, and greatest warrior of the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan War

 "A. millefolium. In Greek myth, there was an herb of such healing renown, the hero Achilles used it to treat the wounds of his men. Today, historians and botanists agree that the herb described in Homer's Iliad was yarrow. Centuries may have passed, but yarrow has lost none of its effectiveness"

Achillea Milliefolium - Yarrow

 

A beautiful "California Sister" on a Cedar Incense tree in the backyard.

 

This is one species of butterfly I can count on to come back every spring.  We usually have several in the year.  

They are beautiful both inside and out, whether their wings are up or down  - both sides, all around.  

ANOTHER DAY - ANOTHER CAT STORY

(obviously I'm bored a bit)

 One of the feral kittens decided to sit on the chair just outside the kitchen window.  I decided to mentally interact with him.

I guess it worked or did it, lol.  At least I can make up stories about how it worked.

Show me your "thoughtful" face.

Show me your angry face.

Now show me your smiley face.

THE SAME BRAVE CAT WHO KEEPS THE WATER CONTAINERS CLEAN FROM TREE DROPPINGS

 Is a huge Scaredy Cat when it comes to raccoons visiting.  He gave me a good laugh when I saw him at the window.

"I'm scared....Let me in will ya!!"

THE SHOW OFF - THE PELICAN HAS ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

 A couple days ago we went back up to Big Bear .  We left late in the day around 3:00  and got home around 8:00.  I had wanted to see a sunset from up there but where we ended up I couldn't see it.  We will be going back soon  because it's becoming my favorite mountain spot to go.

So even though the pelicans marsh is drying up quite a bit they are still hanging around.  There was a fire just over the mountain and down a bit and we watched a few water planes come to the lake and fill their water tanks.  This went on for a couple hours.  Our last stop was Boulder Bay where some kayakers were taking out for an evening ride.  

HOW I SPEND MY TIME

Following cats around and taking their photos and of course keeping bird feeders filled.  

This is  a full time job and the pay is nonexistent but here  in the yard it's like looking at a big aquarium of nature - sometimes it can be mesmerizing but it has to be kept up - clean water and food.   What was in the water - just a small branch that had fallen from one of the trees.  

It's Bootsie's job to keep the tree droppings out of the water.  He's a good worker.