Reflection's Flora and Fauna
A collection of my photos of flora and fauna, and maybe now and then,
something else that catches my attention and just will not let go.
Maybe even with little verbage, which is pretty hard for this gal.



Friday, May 31, 2013

Aeoniums, I Think - -

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These are as large as dinner plates, and LARGE!!  I think some may have measured 12 to 24 inches across. Back to the WOW!  (Oh, if I have incorrectly identified, let me know!)






These pots were 3 to 4 foot tall, that may give you some perspective.





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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Pride of Maderia

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Coastal California plant which has won my heart.  They are used in flower beds and gardens, and they grow wild along the mountains.  They are bold, and blue/purple.  LOVE!







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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas California

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April 5, 2013

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Viewpoint, California, about 4.5 miles north of Hearst Castle.  While on the beach here the seals, molt, rest, fight, breed and give birth.

There are two areas where the seals congregate, one on each side of the parking area here.  This is looking south:


And, this is looking north.


I think I shall refrain from comments, you can think up your own captions.



They toss sand on themselves quite a bit, see it flying?


Huge sand toss.



This guy (gal?) was not happy with another guy (gal?) and was a bit vocal about it.  This is common behavior (per the signage).


The face off:


Our first, but, not our last encounter with seals.  There are at least 3 kinds of seals found up and down the California coast lines.  I am still trying to figure out who is who and where.  Stay tuned.



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Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Flora of Hearst Castle

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April 4, 2013 we visited Hearst Castle just north of Morro Bay, California.  I have been blogging about our visit on Reflections, but, had to share some of the beautiful flora here on this blog.

Without further ado:

Hearst Castle gardens 12

Hearst Castle gardens 11

Hearst Castle gardens 02

Hearst Castle gardens 10

Hearst Castle gardens 09

Hearst Castle gardens 08

Hearst Castle gardens 07

Hearst Castle gardens 06

Hearst Castle gardens 05

Hearst Castle gardens 04

Hearst Castle gardens 03

Hearst Castle gardens 01




* By the way, that tall palm, 4th from the bottom, is interesting in that is a climbing rose growing u and about that palm tree.  They told me that the roses have been growing like that on a number of palms for many years.  The roses have grown well over 20 feet up the palms (using my guesses on that 20 feet number.)

Visit the official page of flora at Hearst Castle!  WOW!

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

A Blue Beauty, In Need of A Name, NOW HAS ONE!

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This blue beauty found growing in Pismo Beach, California is in need of identification.

Took less than 30 minutes, thank you to friend Linda.

Agapanthus is also commonly known as the Lily of the Nile, African Blue Lily, and African Lily. You can read more about it here and lots of other places on the net!

Agapanthus.




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Saturday, May 11, 2013

California Purple, Start Your Identification Engines, Now.

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Have seen several times in California, and have no idea what it is. Being purple tones, it drew me right in, of course.  This particular shot was taken in Bakersfield on March 27, 2013.





*Within 15 minutes, friend Dave came up with lavender, and friend Mina came up with Spanish Lavender.

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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Here Kitty Kitty - - OHHHHHH - -

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THAT'S NOT A KITTY!!!


Yep, tis a skunk.  We saw him on a short walk out to the marsh behind the campground this evening.

He (or she) was more afraid of us than we were of him (or her).  Ran faster the opposite direction than we did!




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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Birds, Err Gulls, of Bodega

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Today we drove to Bodega Bay. Bodega Head and a bit on 1 along the Pacific. There were a lot of seagulls, and they seemed to be showing off for Sony Too today.  So, with a bit, well, a lot of zoom, and some good luck (see the dude/ette walking on the hood of the car parked next to us), we did have a bit of a bird, err, gulls sorta day.


Lots o zoom, thanks to Sony Too:





Zoomed to the max, looks like dinner has been found.


Again, much zoom,  these two were screeching at something, non-stop.


Take off with nesting materials in hand, err, beak.


Have car, will walk, less than 5 feet from Sony Too.


I know, these are not those killer birds from the movie that was made near here, but, that is still a lot of critters!





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