Today's walk report: 011914

The universe is talking...

about the sunsets on the planet earth.

But 1st, the walk to get there. I struggled today. I was sluggish and a little achy. I worked in the yard in the late AM but I think I was struggling with that too. I'm not sure what was up with that. I didn't have my regular two cups of strong coffee in the morning. In fact I had only about 1/2 cup of some really weak coffee. Maybe that was it. As it turned out I struggled on the walk all the way to the top of the hill and I hit a vending machine for a Mountain Dew, Code Red which has the regular caffeine jolt of ordinary Mountain Dew but is favored a rather sickening sweet cherry. Anyway, it did the trick and got me motivated to make it to the other side of the hill, to the cross country course to await the sunset. It seemed apparent early on we were in for a doozy.

In the garden. It was only male Anna's #1. I saw only one other hummingbird but it zipped past me way too fast for an ID.

I didn't hang out there too long, just one quick lap. I was already preoccupied with getting a soda and finding a caffeine buzz.

That kicked in before I got up to the switchbacks on the CC course, I sat, listened to music and watched the show.

The geese were everywhere.

There was a whole bunch of commotion going on off to the north too with LAPD in the air and on the ground and LAFD paramedics moving in ground level too. I turned the music up.

Midway...

I walked up and down the path of the switchbacks marveling at the setting sun and looking for alternate angles. I was shooting vertical and horizontal panoramics all at 70mm since I only brought a 70-300mm lens.

This is 12 vertical images stitched,

and this is 3 horizontal images stitched.

That's it. I was fine all the way home and feel pretty good right now too. Now it's time for a movie and some couch potato non-activity. Thanks for looking at the sunset with me.

Today's walk report: 011314

Flying.

Yesterday I mentioned my marveling at birds of prey, specifically a turkey vulture and a prairie falcon, navigating the sky in these strong Santa Ana winds were currently experiencing (again). I left a couple of birds out but since I watched in awe again today I'll mention them.

Crows seem to take delight in the winds more than most of the birds I see. Maybe it's because they are usually in groups or at least pairs that it appears as though they are playing. I think they are having fun.

Then there are the Canadian geese in for their seasonal visit. It's not so special seeing them fly in the wind, they seem to take on that task the same as they would otherwise, usually flying head-on in formation. But watching them land in the wind something else. When they put their large wings up braking against the wind it's a special sight to behold. There is a moment when they appear motionless in time.

That's all. I had a good walk although I was somewhat troubled by something that happened today. I had one on my cars in the driveway from the garage to clean this morning. I hosed it down down first and was waiting for the driveway to dry some before bringing out the vacuum cleaner. My front door was open and I was back and forth doing stuff inside the house. The car's only 5 meters from the front screen door. I noticed something in the driveway just behind the car and went out to investigate. It was a cassette tape. Not mine. I haven't used cassettes in 25+ years. So that was odd. Who dropped this tape in my driveway? Then I started vacuuming the car and noticed my car stereo had been tampered with. Right there in my driveway? Somebody tried to steal my car stereo?? REALLY?!? That's messed up. It's mostly that, I feel violated feeling which becomes pervasive. That and what ran through my head had I caught the asshole. The fantasy bust the guy and kick his ass thing. Anyway, that kind of screwed up my day and the walk was cut short, just 6.59 km. I talked to my neighbor across the street and we exchanged a little "I'll watch your house you watch mine" sort of buddy program. I do that anyway.

Today's walk report: 122613

Hawks and hummingbirds.

Yesterday I mentioned looking into the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society's monthly birding missions and that I'm not really the birding type and am mostly fond of birds of prey but that's not exactly true. I'm probably more fond of hummingbirds. The focus takes a different direction so it's hard to say. In general I think I have more fun watching hummingbirds but am perhaps more in awe of birds of prey. As far as picture taking goes, I'm inclined to say that any good photo opportunity with birds is highly welcome and sought after--except for really common birds like sparrows, pigeons, doves and crows. The Canadian geese also bore me now for the most part. I remember the 1st time I saw them here in this Valley though and I hopped in my car seeking them out.

This was in the early 80s. There are two oddities in this picture, one the geese mid-image for back then this was a 1st, at least it was for me but also the snow on the Santa Susana mountains. You just don't see that here very often. I don't believe I've seen it since but I haven't spend very much time here over the last 26 years or so.

Today I was losing light and walking fast, not because I wanted to get the walk over but because I felt really good and wanted to get as much distance in as I could before it started getting dark. I did, however, spend some time with this Anna's hummingbird trying to get between it and the setting sun... I never did. I have a lot of what I feel are good hummingbird photos, mostly from last year so I'm a bit hesitant to post new ones when they aren't up to par. But here you go...

Here's that same male Anna's catching flies. I don't typically see the flies when this is happening but I know that's what's going on. It's a good photo opportunity if you have good light, I obviously did not.

One more, same bird.

Here's another win a no-prize contest for you, how many starlings are in the tree. Submit your answer and you may be a the lucky winner of a fantastic no-prize!

I think this is the same red-tailed hawk I usually document here but it was getting dark and I didn't get a lot of detail (I'm 21.7 meters away.)

Yesterday was really windy. Today was also modestly windy at times. I wanted to show you something that might make this post from the 19th seem more significant. This is today, despite winds looking east toward the San Gabriel mountains. This is both dust and smog creating an orange filtered sky. So when it's clear like it was on the 121913, I really appreciate it.

Today's walk report: 121413

Late again.

I  had a visitor right around walk time so I was late in getting out. Late getting out means not a lot of sun left in the day. Having an old friend stop by was nicer than getting out for my walk on time. I stepped out about 4:20 and sunset today was at 4:47. Tomorrow I think I'll shoot for a much earlier than usual walk so I can find some pictures to take.

4:44 PM.

4:59 PM. Looking north up Mason Avenue.

5:10 PM and heading home.

It was a really pleasant walk and feet aside, almost pain free. Yesterday I complained about tight & painful tensor fascia latae muscles which I believe were causing lower back and some other leg discomfort too. This, by the way, is often attributed to too much time sitting and I think that's a major contributor for me. Today I did less sitting and I also spent some time on the TSLs with this...

I'm not sure where this Morfam massager came from but I'm glad it's here. New these run about $160 (street price). This one is about 22 years old and it works great.

Today's walk report: 112413

You know what I like about football?
It makes Sunday walks even more peaceful than they are without it.

Painted lady looking both bedraggled and plump. Maybe she's just looking for that spot to lay her eggs so she can say goodbye. Adult Vanessa cardui butterflies only live for two weeks.

I went to check on the green lynx spider (no, still no babies--I'm actually starting to worry for a spider) and while I had the close up attachment still on I saw this hoverfly on the Mexican bush sage just in front of me. I figure the spider is getting rather boring at this point so...

Aperture at f13 trying to compensate for the short DOF with the close-up attachment, not quite fast enough on the shutter though for this shot but I was sort of impressed to see how long the hoverfly's legs actually are.

The young falcon again, mentioned here, today on the other side of the street from top of the hill so I went over there and it got spooked on my approach...

I couldn't get focus quick enough in flight as it flew to where I was and where I usually see it. I will continue in my effort to get a good shot someday.

Yesterday I mentioned some geese getting past me before I got a shot off. Today I saw this small flock coming well in advance.

Today's walk report: 112313

Never closer to home than the day,
The day I started.

It's a lot of the same so mostly pictures today without the banter (yea!)

Red-tailed hawk above a sweetgum tree.

Green lynx spider still minding her nest--no babies.

Waverly sage (Salvia 'Waverly")

As soon as the music ended on my iPod I hear, honk! honk! Right over my head, I didn't have time to ready the camera. They will be around for quite awhile.

Visiting Canadian geese

Once again options on the sunset. The first shot is a crop from a single image shot 70mm, while the 2nd is a crop from a 7 image panoramic shot vertically at 300mm.

So ends the day. I had a really nice walk.