June’s Wild and Not-so-Wild Denver

Wildlife Refuge and Botanic Gardens

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is bursting with desert blossoms this year due to late spring rain. These prickly pears produce fruit that will feed and water wildlife this summer.

BAMA Anniversary Drive - Show & Shine!

San Mateo County

In 2020 Bay Area Miata Association (BAMA) celebrated its 30^th anniversary. The 30^thAnniversary Drive and show, postponed till 2021,  drew twice the number of Miata owners as most events.

April in the Arboretum

University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum

A chilly overcast April day suits photography just as Santa Cruz climate befits the Southern Hemisphere plants thriving at the Arboretum. This Rose Coneflower will bloom for weeks.

Early Springtime at Filoli

Woodside, CA

A beautiful warm, sunny day in late March brought me to Filoli Garden, a place that I never found time to visit pre-pandemic. Such variety and abundance!

February Flowers of Felton

Santa Cruz Mountains

Between COVID and the coldness of winter, I’m happy staying in. But outdoors, in early February, magnificent magnolias begin their bright annual show.

Boardwalk Beach in January

Santa Cruz, CA

Once again our neighborhood received mandatory evacuation orders. Where else to go but Casablanca Inn? They happily accommodated our SIP evacuation.

2020: December Wrap-Up

Santa Cruz Mountains

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.

November Leaves

Santa Cruz Mountains

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

October Sunsets

Cape Cod, MA

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.

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.

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.

Another Month of SIP Flowers

Santa Cruz Mountains

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. 

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.

Rosy Shelter in Place May

Santa Cruz Mountains

 

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.

Shelter in Place April

Santa Cruz Mountains

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.

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.

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.

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.

December Dahlias

Santa Cruz Mountains

As unlikely as it seems, in rare years a giant dahlia blooms in my yard in December. Its frail pink color is decidedly un-winterish.

Hues of a Dry November

Santa Cruz Mountains

Autumn rain nourishes the garden. But lack of autumn rain prolongs blossoming, as plants make more seeds. This coreopsis blooms nearly year round in fair weather.