Last evening while a good friend and I were in the John Muir National Historic Site for a glimpse of the full moon rising over Mt. Diablo, we met up with a Park Ranger who was going to lead a moonlight walk in the hills adjacent to the homesite. He mentioned to us that there was a particularly large Live Oak tree called “Wanda’s Oak” or “TenTrees” near Mt. Wanda (named for one of Miur’s daughters). It’s an impressive specimen to be sure with it’s first lateral branch 11′ in diameter. While photographing it we saw a hawk (likely a immature Cooper’s Hawk [Accipiter cooperii] )land nearby and it appeared to have caught a vole. To our astonishment, when it was finished it flew nearer intent on a second vole which it missed. The third time was a charm and brought him into the open where we could get a look. Then as we were setting up on Mt. Wanda, a white tailed Kite started to hunt nearby. The full moon was nice but being in the presence of these two magnificent birds was a treat.

Honeybees again, this time on Buckwheat. Amazingly busy and resourceful creatures.

Another view in the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve. It was hard to not be faced with multiple choices in all directions. It’s truly a magical, Harry Potter-esq forest. I’d not be surprised to see a door into a Hobbit home.

The Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve has a modest face on the highway but a fabulous surprise awaits inside. It’s mixed oak forest with fantastic shapes and curves and looks like something from a Harry Potter movie. This particular tree was an exception and very nicely shaped alongside a sag pond.

All day long honeybees worked the mustard behind our tent while we stayed at Montaña de Oro. While it’s fairly easy to get photos of them, it’s harder to get nice ones. All too often, I end up with perfectly exposed photos of bee’s butts and they are not all that attractive.

One of the flowers that gives Montaña de Oro (Mountain of Gold) State Park its name is Golden Yarrow, eriophylum confertiflorum. It was blooming in abundance during our visit last week.

I must admit to being thrilled with the quality and capabilities of my new P&S. It’s far better than I had hoped and capable of some very nice photos. This is from today’s Farmer’s market and have very little Lr adjustment. It’s really the way it looks just out of the camera. What’s more, when I sync it, Lightroom sees it and imports all the photos. What kind of P&S camera is it? An iPhone 4.

Found on a trail at Sea Ranch. Perfect, new leaves.

JCK_100328_0441 uploaded by admin.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II+EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – f/8@1/60

She reads, I photograph. Nice.

JCK_100313_0258 uploaded by admin.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II+15-30mm – f/8@1/200
We took a short but interesting hike yesterday to the Shell Ridge open space and explored a trail we’d not taken before, the Twin Ponds trail. This tree (an Oak methinks) stood out in the late afternoon sun.