Serenade

Just another perfect Thursday evening in Los Angeles -- a full moon and mariachi practice.

Vaux Swifts

It's that time of year again, when the vaux swifts put on a show in downtown LA.  I took this video of them last year.   According the Audubon Center at Debs Park, this is the week to go -- they've been seeing large numbers of swifts over the LA River during the day.  For more info on when and where to see this stunning sight, please visit their site.

Driving across the Everglades today

Saying goodbye to Florida, where orchids grow on power lines.

Images courtesy of Google Maps.

Beachy

In Miami

One day in, and I've already met some very nice creatures.

Desert Fare

My beautiful and talented sister in law wrote a piece for the latest issue of Wilder Quarterly on growing shallots in the desert.  I'm hoping to start my crop this fall, with her help. 

Getting swept up

I cleaned the porch this weekend, sweeping up months of Los Angeles particulate matter, oak leaves, cobwebs, and this beauty.  I'd been hearing the mourning doves lately, preening in the branches above, and am glad one decided to drop this small treasure. 

It's been a quiet and still summer, and I've enjoyed many moments of nada.  Moving into fall (although with no physical signs of it yet), I'm preparing myself to work hard with a heavier courseload and new job responsibilities, but hold on to these momentary breaks.  That means less talking, more walking, and focusing on each sweep of air that passes through me. 

The garden, last spring

I just got a roll of film developed from over a year ago.  What a nice surprise to see my old garden in all of its glory last spring (must've been March or April judging from the bright spots of poppies).  It has since fallen into summer dormancy and some disrepair since we moved away from it.  I've got big plans for it this winter though -- new plantings, some hard pruning and lots of mulch.