Last Saturday saw us up and about the Palos Verdes Peninsula as we visited some of the scenic landmarks. We made a stop near Point Vicente Lighthouse where I set the little camera on a fencepost to capture this photo (click for a larger image).

The Lighthouse was constructed and activated in 1926 and it is still operational today. The light was sweeping the horizon when we were there. We were standing on the grounds of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center which contains a museum and is a whale watching site. Last year we sighted one gray whale as it was migrating from the Bering Sea to the breeding grounds in Baja California from a cliff near here.

I took this shot last Saturday from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. As we stood there on the cliffs watching the waves, this handsome bird soared just overhead as it rode the updrafts above the cliffs.

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is 42-54 in (106-137 cm) in length, weighs from 6-12 lbs (2.75 to 5.5 kg) and has a wingspan from 6 to 8.2 ft. (1.83 to 2.5 m).

Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.

Verna and I are deeply saddened by the death of LCDR Kevin Davis in the crash of Blue Angels F/A-18 Aircraft Six. We extend our thoughts and prayers for this amazing pilot and to his family and friends. We also stand with the Blue Angels Squadron in solidarity for the healing to come. Verna captured this photo of Angel Number Six at the 2006 MCAS Miramar Air Show.

Here is a short AP article about LCDR Davis:

Continue reading » A Fallen Angel

Here’s a panorama of the clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. We had the occasion to drive to the end of Ocean Trails Drive (which “The Donald” wants to rename Trump National Drive) and visit the public areas of the facility. Impressive, if not completely ostentatious. Verna took a wide angle view of the clubhouse which I cropped into this panoramic view. Click to see the full-sized view (use scrollbars and zoom if appropriate).

It’s springtime and the garden is sprouting - but there are those who would help themselves to our veggies-to-be. The answer to controlling pilferage isn’t always pesticides - especially when it comes to controlling cute little fuzzy squirrels. Our preferred method in this case is to catch and repatriate. A nearby park will provide shelter and a place for this particular squirrel to forage.

In the picture above - squirrel’s eye view of a Havahart trap - later at the park, the release and scamper up a convenient pine tree.

During my lunchtime walk, I spotted this interesting-looking school bus parked behind the Manhattan Village Mall. One side was painted with an undersea scene and the other side had parrots in trees. I did not see or smell any hippies, however. Click on the thumbnail for the big picture.

I have been saving this rose for a couple of weeks now. I took this photo of it in Lowe’s Garden while we were there getting some stuff for the yard and patio.

We’re getting ready to plant the squash and melons. The tomatoes and green beans are planted already.

Click on the thumbnail picture for a close-up of this pretty rose.