A Macro Spring…

Several years ago we transformed our lawn to a mostly low water native landscape…

Native Plantings

At this time of year, the blooms start to appear and the plants are full of nectar & bees.  For a closer look, check out the gallery below

PHOTO GALLERY

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GALLERY

Native & Low Water Plants

California Lilac

Pink Currrant

California Lilac

Bee’s Bliss

Bee’s Bliss

 

Close Up & Personal…Night Heron

If there is a single rule all photo enthusiasts should follow, it is to always have a camera of some kind with you. Photo Ops will present at the most inconvenient times and not always when you have your top gear with you.

Recently, I was passing through Lucchesi Park in Petaluma on a mid morning bicycle ride and noticed a white object up in one of the trees.  Upon closer observation I noticed that it was Night Heron that was well hidden as evidenced by the first photo below.

I had a pocket camera with me and realized that I would have to make it do.  Fortunately it had the ability for manual settings and I managed to pull off a fairly decent photo.  The trick was to maneuver close enough and to force the camera to focus on the bird instead of the branches.  See the second photo.

Photo #1

Photo #2

 

The turkey(s) crossed the road (street) to…!

The question was posed in Why did the turkey cross the road…or street?

The answer(s) are provided in the gallery below.  Note how much larger they are than in the first set of photos.

GALLERY

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…to hunt for seeds

…to discuss who gets the seeds first

…sometimes they struggle as to who gets it first

…to seek a warm car hood

…to seek a warm car hood

…to check out a porch

…to inspect a roof

 

New Vineyard…Just outside Petaluma!

On Ely Road South at Browns Lane, over 300 acres are being manicured for a new vineyard just outside the city limits and the urban growth boundary. Tractors and crews are in full swing on a project challenging to behold with the eye or camera.

When I first saw it, I wondered about the source of the irrigation water for such a large project.

As it happens, the vineyards will be irrigated with recycled, treated wastewater from Petaluma.  This is just another step in the trend to use reclaimed water for agriculture in Sonoma County.

But enough words. I’ll let the photos tell the story…

To give a sense of the size, I created this panoramic view by stitching together three wide angle photos. © Frank Simpson

GALLERY

To use the gallery, click any image in the gallery. Navigate between photos using the left and right arrow keys, or by clicking or tapping the arrows on the left and right. Click “view full size” below any image to see the photo directly outside the gallery.

Vine Plantings © Frank Simpson

Vine Plantings © Frank Simpson

Vine Plantings © Frank Simpson

Vine Plantings © Frank Simpson

Vine Plantings © Frank Simpson

To give a sense of the size, I created this panoramic view by stitching together three wide angle photos. © Frank Simpson

 

Why did the turkey cross the road…or street?

When we made the leap of faith to move from a lawn to low water garden landscaping, we did not know what to expect.  As it turned out, it has provided more than its share of rewards and pleasures. I covered the story of our adventure to a fare thee well in several posts under Low Water Natural Landscaping

As part of the process we even secured a “certification” (for a small contribution!) as an Urban Wildlife Habitat.  That has certainly been true for the various birds that visit on a daily basis.  Not to mention the bees…

But this summer, someone else arrived…with her family!

By the bye, the answer to the question posed in the title….to get to our Habitat! They moved on to “greener pastures” after a few weeks.

 
Check out the Photo Gallery below…

 GALLERY

Please note that the photos were reduced in resolution and size to fit the confines and space limitations of the site.

To activate the gallery, click on any image.

You can navigate between photos using the left and right arrow keys, or by clicking or tapping the arrows on the left and right.

Turkey Trot © Frank Simpson

Look both ways! © Frank Simpson

Let’s check out this place! © Frank Simpson

Neighborhood Turkey Watch © Frank Simpson

Up on the rooftop © Frank Simpson

Up on the rooftop © Frank Simpson

Now this place has possibilities! © Frank Simpson

Definitely has possibilities© Frank Simpson

Hey, the sign says we can move in! © Frank Simpson

Quite comfy! © Frank Simpson

Ah, the warmth of the late afternoon sun! © Frank Simpson

Checking it out © Frank Simpson

Exploring © Frank Simpson

Dirt bath © Frank Simpson

Home! © Frank Simpson