This fountain [previously mentioned in last post] is part of the culture center and kiosk along the seawall. Palm trees line the walkway and flowering plants and grasses are strategically placed with benches and stone paths [sometimes brick here and there] and trellises that have climbing vines for shade. Along the entire seawall [about a mile long] there are also sculptures every few yards along the bayfront and the roofed miradors. I walked there purposely to just sit at the early morning hour and listen to the sounds of the flowing water and birdsong!
Early, before I did anything around the house, I left for a short walk along the seawall! The temp reading on our atomic thermometer showed 75 degrees outdoors. Even tho, the humidity was present, and the dust from the Saharan Desert prevailed, I was stir crazy [cabin fever], and anxious to get outdoors. Armed with my cellphone camera only - I headed on the Expressway toward downtown and parked across from the Federal Courthouse on the shore of C C Bay. I had intentions of getting a photo or two of the fountain as I walked along the wall toward the WWII Aircraft Carrier, USS Lexington. Of course, you should know me by now, "a couple of photos" turned into a couple of dozen. Why not?
As you can see in the following, the early morning sky was YELLOW...not from the sun, but mostly showing the dust storm in the air. One particular image I captured [of the shrimp boat] you can see, if you look closely, the blue sky at the top of the photo and the haze of the dust between the blue and the boat. It's been nasty this year. But, I will take the dust any ol' day instead of those HORRORcanes coming ashore. [someone called them "horror"canes and it stuck with me. I like the reference to its similarities to HORROR - a Cat 1 - 5 storm!]
Okay, I will put this into two posts since I took several photos to stay away from overloading. Next post will be part II.
Okay, so, for the last few posts I mentioned that my last trek around the Botanical Gardens ended at the Rose Cotillion. I've been at the gardens each season, and at times, especially with the drought and extreme heat, they're not too pretty. This time of year, and with all the nourishing rainfall the few weeks prior to me walking around the grounds were a god-send for the roses. They were all flourishing!!! With such a beautiful array of color and scents. And of course, I couldn't resist going over-board with the shutter button...
My morning walk this past weekend was to Oso Bay Wetlands. I admit, it's been quite a while since I've been to that area of town. Since Spring Migration, I usually head to the islands and the hotspots there for the warblers and birds that are hitting those for feed before heading further north. But, I didn't feel like driving the 30 miles, so I stayed near home...once there, I was surprised at all the "new' work that is being done. They're constructing a waterfall at one of the ponds, they've added purple martin condos, they're clearing an area for a new path, and have added flagstone on one of the farthest trails! I was impressed.
The first spot I stopped at was the refreshing 'new' last year, fountain:
I recorded a VERY short video to let you listen to the birdsong and the cascading water. It's a good place on a hot day!!! The breeze that trickles off the chaparral felt good as the hot sun beat down on me. And at 7 a.m., it was already pushing eighty degrees.
. . .
I mentioned birdsong....The cardinals were caroling, the mockingbirds were mocking, the thrashers were thrashing out a tune, and the many many painted buntings were poetry in notes!!!! The bunnies were everywhere also. Every nook and cranny it seemed. The first one I spotted was at the entry gate after I parked the car in the lot....like it was greeting me with a "Good Morning Anni". After the 4th or 5th one I stopped taking photos of them. LOL
...Here is some of what I saw:
Oso Bay and new bronze sculptures...
....notice the feather detailing!
By the time 9:30 rolled around it was getting too hot to go further I forgot my bottle of water and the sweat was pouring off me. Time to head back, dry off some and get to the store. On my return to the car I took a few more photos, which will be shared later.
