Blogs

Last Saturday, my daughter Carly and I went to Capitola for some good times — wandering around town, visiting the beach. We're usually in Santa Cruz, and Capitola, 20 minutes away, seems so exotic.

 

We were surprised to find the town officially "closed." When we got there the shopkeepers were hanging "Closed for Tsunami"  signs and locking their doors,

A scene from the river path. Herons are so cool. Coots are, well, creepy. Especially close up, with their blood red eyes.

The waves were a little bit better out at Steamer's yesterday, which looks like the last fine day of the year as we comfortably slip off into winter.

Thanks to my Bucci polarizing glass lens sunglasses, the day had a psychedelic tone to it. The colors and the clarity of the afternoon light, and the sun gleaming through the waves were very special.

 

Snorf

The butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park were out in force on Sunday, enjoying the fine weather.

The boardwalk path down to the observation area was moderately crowded with visitors admiring the butterflies flitting about like delicate jewels on the wind.

If you haven't seen the butterflies, there's still time, while the weather is warm and dry.  

Saturday was incredibly lovely on my lousy commute.

There were a lot of water craft on the bay, kayaks, sailboats, paddle surfers, surfers and above, the Chardonnay II.

The waves at Cowell's were almost nonexistent, Steamer's was a different story. The waves were pretty good, and there were a large number of surfers to ride them.

Sweet! 

Yes, woe is me walking between my house on the Santa Cruz westside and, well, everywhere.

 

Here is a scene from the recent Santa Cruz Coldwater Classic taken from the surfer dude statue vista point on West Cliff Drive at Pelton. The various other times I passed this way in the last few days, the waves weren't as large as they were this afternoon during a

Here's a panorama of part of the Gateway School Life Lab garden:

 

The Life Lab Science Program is based here in Santa Cruz, learn more here.

 

Caprice Potter works with the kids in the Gateway garden in the elementary school grades. Kids learn about plants and insects, the lifecycle and the food cycle in a hands-on fashion. Projects which really bring it all

Here's a panorama I took of a crap view on my lousy commute to work.

 

Boy, some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. 

Being a programmer has definite benefits. Perl scripts to download and archive webcam images, and the ultra fabulous gifmerge utility to combine them into animated gifs.

 

These are animations from the Cruzio LomaCam and BusCam of the last 24 hours, using images taken every 1/2 hour.

 

There are a couple dozen webcams (that I know of) in the County, there's a

There are just times when loneliness demands that you seek out a friend...

Polar Bear: I come in Peace If you don't already think animals are far more spiritually advanced than we humans, think again. Stuart Brown describes Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in the wilds of

well my posting is of course typo'd but hey here are the polar bear pics! enjoy

There are just times when loneliness demands that you seek out a friend...

Polar Bear: I come in Peace If you don't already think animals are far more spiritually advanced than we humans, think again. Stuart Brown describes Norbert Rosing's

we'll make a new mail box just for them. take a day or so....heres the first pic...oh my my - it is right abouve the pencil for blonds and under the chili. (grin). near the bottom right side. i have to find out how to post betta...have a good

If you're looking to save money on gas and are fortunate enough to live in Santa Cruz, biking is an excellent alternative available to you.

 You don't need a fancy bike or silly spandex, just some basic wheels and comfy clothes will do.

 If you're a little "rusty" (you or the bike) take it slow and give it spin! What could it hurt to try?

Am I selling

Massivesoundz has posted some amazing photos from Antarctica of icebergs and frozen waves. They're in the massivesoundz profile. Go