Photographing White Pelicans at Lake Hodges

White Pelicans, Lake Hodges, San Diego, CA

I am enjoying the longer daylight because of Daylight Savings Time right now. After a day's work, we now could enjoy the great outdoors longer, for the sun sets at around 7 pm now. Last Friday, we were greeted by a lot of white pelicans at Lake Hodges. Of course, there are other birds as well, as Lake Hodges has been designated as Globally Important Bird Area.

During weekdays, we usually do not take a long hike because we start hiking late in the afternoon already, after work. We usually take the 3.8 mile hike at Piedras Pintadas Trail of Lake Hodges, which is along the South Shore. Lake Hodges is our favorite hiking trail for bird photography. The lake is teeming of wild birds, where the South Shore is home to numerous marsh, shore and riparian bird species.

Here are some pictures of white pelicans captured by hubby.

Sea Lions At La Jolla Cove

 Sea Lions enjoying a swim? Or trying to escape the wrath of pounding waves?

Are these sea lions wanting to jump down into the water or happy enough that they are well rested on top of the rocks away from the pounding waves?

Whether on land or on water, they are such a joy to watch.

** Pictures above were taken March 2nd, 2014.

Random Pictures....Random Thoughts

Sometimes, life can be confusing......isn't it?

But then, after the passing tides,

 We see the beauty of it all, the beauty in challenges, the beauty in tears, the beauty in success, the beauty in everything....

that we couldn't help but celebrate life with one another......

Ahhhh, life is joyful.....so joyful....says these two harbor seals.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Take a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty around you, and if you could, freeze those beauty in your photos. All images above are old photos that I took from La Jolla Ellen Browning Scripps Park- San Diego. Meanwhile, let me leave you with a photo I took today at Lake Hodges.

White Pelicans, Lake Hodges, San Diego, CA

Why I love Daylight Savings Time

Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach, San Diego, CA

Okay, don't hate me now, but I am one of those who secretly rejoices whenever time changes to Daylight Savings Time. Even though the idea at first sounded very strange to me being a transplant to this country. Maybe, during the very first week of experiencing it, I too was whining about 1 hour of sleep lost. But after that very first week of experiencing Daylight Savings Time, I found it actually was an "adjustment of time" for me to enjoy most of the things I love. 

Here are some reasons why I love Daylight Savings time:

1. Longer Daylight time to enjoy outdoors after work. 

Overlooking Torrey Pines from Torrey Pines- Del Mar Trail

This reason alone is enough for me to love daylight savings time. :) Moving the time one hour forward means sun setting late, and the longer daylight after work means more hiking time and more time to enjoy the great outdoors. The more time I spend outside physically, the less time I sit in front of the computer, the better it is for my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health!

Cactus Monday- Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail

Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County, CA

The hike:

     from the visitor center: 5.5 miles round trip, 600 ft elevation gain (no fee to park at visitor center)

     from Borrego Palm Campgrond: 3 miles round trip, 600 ft elevation gain ( there is $8.00 day use fee to enter campground )

This is the most popular trail probably in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and is also good for beginners because the ascent is very gradual, and the trail is well maintained. Though some parts of the trail would require some boulder hopping, because of the big rocks that litter the ground. Most parts of the trails are rocky, but very manageable. 

Desert Nature Trail, Visitor Center

The peak visitation to this park is during winter and spring when the temperature is cooler. In the summer, because of the intense desert heat, the trail is more isolated. Though at other times of the year, the hike here can be drab for some, because there is nothing but sun-blasted vegetation. But during spring, March and April, this park can turn into a rainbow of colors.

Blooming Beavertail and Brittlebush

Sea Lions Seeking Refuge on Rocks, Mom and Pup Seals at the Beach

Sea Lions Seeking Refuge on Rocks, Mom and Pup Harbor Seals at the Beach

Why do sea lions and harbor seals haul out on rocks or at the beach? The answer is, just like humans, they need to rest too, and more importantly, not to burn so much energy.

Water, compared to air, conducts heat easily. Thus, we feel many times colder in water than in air because we lose a lot of our body heat in water than in air at the same temperature. It's for that same reason that sea lions and harbor seals usually haul out more during the cold season, plus of course, it's their mating and breeding season. 

Mom and Pup Harbor Seal

There are various ways for them to get warm in cold water: grow furs ( sea lions and seals have furs), build mass or grow bigger, eat a lot of food for metabolic heat, or haul out on land to rest. Sea lions and harbor seals combine these different methods. 

Today's waves are really huge. If you notice in the video above, the sea lions are trying to get higher on the rocks. Here are some pictures in addition to the video above about why sea lions and harbor seals are mostly on land right now at La Jolla Cove.

Because the waves are huge, some of the sea lions were displaced from their "home" rocks. A lot of them seek higher ground.

Sea Lions on Higher Ground

The sea lions that are safe at higher level, seem to be concerned as well with their brothers/sisters who still are trying their best to get on the rock. They kept on barking at each other looking down at the other sea lions on water struggling to get to the rock.

Sea Lions Trying to Get on Rock

While the sea lions were trying to use the waves to bring them high on rocks, some were enjoying the waves.

Surfer Enjoying Waves

At the other side of La Jolla Cove, are the harbor seals peacefully hauling out at the beach. There are a lot of baby harbor seals on shore, and some mom seal were training their baby seal both on land and on water.

Mom and Pup Seals