Learning to See the Beauty of Nature in Our Gardens
After my stay in Butterfly Town near Monterey Bay, my travels took me to the High Desert, to Joshua Tree National Park, located Southeast of Los Angeles. Going from the sea to the desert, I felt like a lizard warming up. No fog here; no gray clouds. Sunshine & breezes greeted me instead. I was [...]
Here I am, as promised, moving up the West Coast to the lovely town of Pacific Grove, next door to the more well-known Monterey, CA. Of course, the Native Gardener would end up in a town named “Butterfly Town”. This town is an overwintering site for the West Coast Monarchs, just like Pismo Beach. Unlike [...]
Walking along a trail with my camera, I was hoping to come upon some wildlife to photograph, when I felt eyes upon me. I looked up and there, right in front of me, were the warm, gentle eyes of a deer! I couldn’t believe how close I was to him! I thought, “Please don’t move; [...]
I discovered that I miss lizards. The other day I was visiting the Top of Topanga Overlook, a park owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. This was my first step back in Topanga since I set out travelling the Central Coast of CA some 4 mos ago! I walked through the small native garden [...]
I am a female Monarch butterfly, flying high above Pismo Beach, flying from the tall Eucalyptus trees, where I have been sleeping this winter. How I love the California Coast! It has everything I need here: moderate winter temps, clean air, and I am making friends to help me keep warm. The sun comes out. [...]
Monarchs in the Wintertime~ Walking through the tall stands of Eucalyptus trees (Monarch Grove, Pismo Beach), I came upon a Monarch butterfly lying on the ground on some wood chips. He blended in so well, I could easily have stepped on him! But he wasn’t moving. Very carefully, I picked him up and placed him [...]
After leaving the Dunes, my head still full of endless drifts of sand and the sound of waves pounding relentlessly, I yearned for a place with more plant life to explore. Less than a mile away, I found the perfect spot: Pismo Beach State Park, Oceano Campground, home to a nature center with an Interpretive [...]
Oceano, Land of Dunes~ Travelling up the Pacific Coast from Goleta, CA, I came across the sand dunes of Oceano. Oceano is north of Santa Barbara along the coast route near Pismo Beach. The Oceano dunes are the only sand dunes in California where vehicles are allowed to traverse the sand, including ATVs. I was [...]
I climbed down from 7000 ft elevation, to camp on the beach. It was starting to get down t0 32dgs at night in the San Bernardino Mtns, and the beach would be more temperate. And to my delight, I found a treat waiting for me on the Coast. I discovered a park that was a [...]
It’s coming up on the 4 o’clock hour, and the sunlight falls soft and golden on the meadow. I walk through the long grass here, admiring how it has formed natural sways, left to its own devices. Tiny wildflowers pop thru the grass. I get down on hands & knees to admire them. I am [...]
Yesterday I was enjoying the peace of my garden space, watching as hummingbirds fought over the feeder, buzzing past my ears, so loud and so quick. I got out my camera and took pictures of my hummingbird friends. They are the best part of my Topanga garden and have given me so many happy moments. [...]
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