Sunday, December 27, 2020

2020: December Wrap-Up

Santa Cruz Mountains

Japanese Maple Leaves with Redwood in background

At the end of a challenging year, complete with Shelter in Place holiday season, Japanese maples are still a celebratory red against the sky. For a couple more weeks, anyway.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

November Leaves

Santa Cruz Mountains


Looking up at bright sky through multicolor oak leaves

Not all November days are bleak. Sometimes bright sunshine plays on the leaves, making multicolored patterns upon patterns upon patterns.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

October Sunsets

Cape Cod, MA

Sunset in Wellfleet, MA, bayside

While I’m safe at home during the pandemic, Cape Cod Bay continues to host world-class sunsets. In appreciation, here are some archival sunset images from earlier Octobers.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

September Time Out

Castro Valley, CA


Sheriff's order to evacuate due to wildfire while sheltering in place was confusing and stressful. After a few motel nights, we accepted our friends’ kind, open-ended offer of shelter.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Mirabelle Plum Heaven

Santa Cruz Mountains



The plant kingdom, oblivious to the humans’ 2020 woes, is having a colossal year in Felton. Fruits trees are burgeoning, especially our fully loaded Mirabelle plum.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Another Month of SIP Flowers

Santa Cruz Mountains


bachelors buttons

Last month it seemed safe to be out, this month not so much. Flocks of tourists at the beach and in the mountains make enjoying the garden at home a favored option. 

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Socially Distanced Beach Day

Monterey, CA



After months of sheltering in place, a 40-minute drive to Monterey to walk on the beach is a major expedition. It’s good to value what we used to take for granted.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Rosy Shelter in Place May

Santa Cruz Mountains

 

Speckled pink roses

Roses and May are always good companions in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Every May, no matter the weather, in sun or shade, it’s peak time for rose blossoms.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Shelter in Place April

Santa Cruz Mountains


Yellow-orange day lily with spreading foliage

More sheltering in place. This day lily has been with me for over 30 years. I rescued it from a hillside being bulldozed at Cabrillo College to add a new building.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Shelter in Place March

Santa Cruz Mountains



While we’re sheltering in place, nature is carrying on as usual. The flowering quince in my yard flourishes as always in March, oblivious to human activity.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

February Field of Light

Paso Robles, CA



Bruce Munro’s installation of over 58,000 solar powered lights at Sensorio illuminates only after dark. Meanwhile, the Field of Light reflects sunset colors.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

January’s Rainbow

Santa Cruz Mountains



If only a photograph could exude the delightful fragrance of an early narcissus. The smell wafts all throughout our neighborhood.