PELICAN AND SEAGULL FROM OLD PORT PIER AVILA BEACH AREA

Fun watching this pelican.

MY LOVE OF SHORE BIRDS IS ENDLESS AS ARE MY PHOTOGRAPHS

  These were taken again at Pismo Beach, and I really enjoyed the dog chasing the seagulls and then taking a swim.  Besides myself that morning, there was only this guy and his dog and one other person in this area of the beach then I saw a surfer as I walked towarad the pier.  This is so different from beaches in Southern California where first off if you can commute to them from about 6o miles away and not be in traffic for at least 2 hours then consider yourself fortunate.

Once you make that trek to the ocean in So Cal there is the issue of parking and of course you pay to park almost anywhere you land in the Los Angeles, Orange County or Ventura areas and probably also San Diego Beaches now. 

To walk out in the morning on  Pismo Beach (or Grover Beach, Shell Beach, Avila, Morro Bay, Cayucos and the list goes on as you go north)...unless it's a holiday weekend there is no problem parking and it's free in most places and not crowded.

MORE EGRETS ON PISMO BEACH

I couldn't stop taking photos - my hand had a life of its' own with the camera.  I was there as just a support prop.

The morning sun's angle was perfect for making golden reflections in the water from the rocks surrounding the area.

THEY ARE WAITING - NO DOUBT TO STEAL SOME FOOD OLD PORT AVILA

EGRET IN THE MORNING LIGHT.............ELEGANT EAGLE ENJOYING EVERYTHING

Near these rocks on Pismo Beach, there are caves but this time I couldn't get to them as the tide was too high.  I was able to get close to some of the large outcroppings of rocks and the egret looked so elegant standing there.  Mornings in my opinion are the best time to go to this area of the beach - I've been there mainly in November but was happy to find out that January also has the beautiful sunrise and early morning colors that are reflected in the water which I'll show later with  some egret photos full on in the reflection of the golden waters.

More towards spring and summer the angle of the sun is different and I don't think it is as golden looking as this time of the year. 

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS - BEAUTIFUL PISMO BEACH

January is a great time to go to the San Luis Obispo and surrounding little beach towns for a vacation.  I have really enjoyed my trip and visited some beautiful little beach towns.

I have lots and lots to share.

There's a few egrets in the pic along with the gulls.

YESTERDAY'S HIKE IN SKY FOREST HEAPS PEAK AREA

This is a favorite place of mine to go - it's an all natural botanical garden where there are nice paths cleared to walk, there is up and down walking for good exercise and beautiful trees all around.  I've never walked there in January because there has always been snow.  My favorite season to go is in fall but it was a nice change to walk through with the light looking so soft and bare trees showing their branches.    The weather was  maybe in the high 50's with somewhat of a breeze in certain areas so it felt cooler.  This was a walk that makes you feel great by the time you're done and ready for a good delicious meal with lemon picata chiken, mashed potatoes and veggies (thanks to the cook in the family).

AFTER POSTING ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE GUY BELOW JUST WAITING TO BE LET IN THE HOUSE

Yesterday I took these photos of "Beanie".  Because we are surrounded by hills up here in the mountains, in January the only direct sun we get in the yard is for about an hour and a half and that is it.  Although Beanie has a larger basket in her bedroom with a desk lamp light to warm her - As soon as the sun comes through the window she jumps into her small basket to soak in the rays.  I love the light this time of year because it comes with such a small window of time to our house.   We have several outdoor feral cats that also enjoy the deck out in back.  I have taken so many photos of them so I will put them on this blog as I get to them.

We probably shouldn't, but we make sure they eat well and have a protected place to go to when it snows.  The neighbors up here also feed them and one woman in particular leaves a heating pad on in a box on a chair sitting on the front porch and I think the cats think hers  is the most popular house to go to in the winter. 

We have tried to catch a few kittens to take to the rescue center but they are all way too smart up here - they know how to avoid traps and people although they appear to love to hang out at the various houses in this small neighbrhood of ours.

And, we have no rodent problem.