Kona Chameleon

Looks like she want a lemon! Taken at Greenwell Farms on Hawaii’s Big Island.

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Bonsai, Old And New

These are just a couple of the many bonsai on display during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Amazing how something so tiny could be so beautiful…Large version available here.

California Scrub Jay

Large version available here. I followed this one around for about fifteen minutes, and he let me get surprisingly close. It’s almost like he’s striking a pose…

Weekly Photo Challenge: Contrast, Or: Red And Gray

While I was hiking on Mt. Diablo, I was struck by the color contrast on some of the tree bark.

Hiking On Mount Diablo

Hey, folks. Yesterday’s Daily Prompt was all about the summer solstice. Specifically, what you did with all that extra sunlight during the longest day of the year. I got up bright and early, got dressed, ate, grabbed my old hiking stick, and went to Mount Diablo. Despite its sinister name, the mountain and the surrounding state park is one of the most beautiful natural places in the Bay Area. You can spend hours walking is well-marked trails, enjoying the spectacular views along the way. Going in the summer is kind of ill-advised, though; it’s dry and hot up there at this time of year, and the recent drought has dried up all of the streams. My mother and I used to hike the mountain once or twice a month when I was a child; I like to think my appreciation of nature came from those long treks. This time, however, we couldn’t go so far. We had other errands to run, and Mom’s knees aren’t what they used to be. After three hours, we called it quits and headed back to civilization. At least I got a few great photos while I was there!

Embarcadero Staircase

There are many, many staircases and shortcuts woven into the Embarcadero Center. Most of them are hidden off the beaten path, but this one is in plain sight.

On The Fence

Weekly Photo Challenge: Juxtaposition, Or: The Divi-divi Remnant

In a landscape of ocean water and rocks, a remnant of a Divi-divi tree stands alone. Taken at Baby Beach, Aruba.

Market Street In September

A relatively quiet moment in the San Francisco Financial District. So much more peaceful than during the holiday rush…

Karon View Point, Thailand

It was a long cab ride, but it was so worth it.