A test post to see what settings allow scheduling a post for a specific time. The image is a previous one of El Capitan in Yosemite

A very interesting feature of the Steinhart Aquarium is a clear tunnel under a moat in the Rain Forest. Looking up, you see fish, trees, people and sky.

Spring in northern California is heralded (for me) by the blooming of California and Icelandic Poppies. One, very natural, the other, not-so-much. Still, it means color and contrast are coming soon.

I don’t think that pup can get a whole lot bigger and still ride with Mom…. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Actually, just an OK Great Egret (Ardea alba). Still, it looked mah-vel-us in flight.

California Sea Otters at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

From a short but lovely hike today in Briones Regional Park. There were 4 Kites hunting in a very small area.

Red-tailed hawks were in abundance during a visit to the San Luis Wildlife refuge. It seemed as if they were around every corner. Most looked to be juveniles perhaps in their first year.

During our visit to the San Luis Refuges, we noticed an abundance of raptors. I read that there is an explosion of voles and mice because of the cool summer that allowed grasses to linger longer. More voles and mice means predators can support larger families. This appears to be a juvenile red-tailed hawk.

After a long day of looking for waterfowl in the San Luis Wildlife Refuges we decided to head to the San Luis Reservoir in hopes of an interesting sunset. The sunset itself was not awe-inspiring but the afterglow was pretty cool.