Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens, a set on Flickr.

After regrouping from a morning working on the church grounds, the husband, theKid, and I spent some time in Claremont, CA at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens Open House - free to the public (what would have otherwise been $24 for the three of us - with the Inland Empire Photo Meetup.
There is a lot of ground to cover at the Gardens and we only covered half of it. There is a great variety of California native plants there, learning opportunities, aesthetics, and along with the flora and abundance of butterflies and lizards, birds - even a squirrel and languishing cat were spotted. I suspect as the weather warms, the plants in bloom will increase. It was a good way and lovely weather to spend a first day of vacation together.

Delosperma ~ fire in ice

Delosperma ~ fire in ice
Originally uploaded by shelz shotz

celebrating winter to spring, ice to fire - observing the beauty, my pace to inspire. To not stop would be the waste, the crime would be in haste.
Ice plants along my walking route - I scored big! Via Flickr 'I Will Celebrate! Set

Whale of a Day Meetup

Whale of a Day Meetup, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Our Cosmos Whale of a Day Meetup at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center - celebration co-sponsored by the Rancho Palos Verdes and the docents of Los Serenos de Point Vicente, held on the first Saturday of March annually.
www.losserenos.org/woad.htm
www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/content/WOAD.cfm

The husband, kid and I enjoyed a day in the Rancho Palos Verdes Peninsula. It was a beautiful day for an activity-filled event.

We did not see nary a whale; heard tell that they came through later in the afternoon. The Point however has a wonderful view; Catalina Island across the ocean was in view shrouded in low hanging clouds.

There was all manner of animals to see - an adorable search and rescue canine, a statuesque eagle, colorful and scholarly looking owl, llamas, snakes, a 25-year young turtle to name a few and I even capture an uncaptured lizard. There next door at the lighthouse was all manner of coast guard vehicles on the ground and in the air.

The Point Vicente Lighthouse appeared no worse for ware, standing guard through the tests of time. It has a very interesting history. After an hours wait, I traversed the narrow lighthouse stairs up to where I could see the clamshell Fresnel lens that casts its light across the ocean and the view from the several windows.

It is a yearly event; it's on my to do list for next year to have yet another 'whale of a day'!