Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

Yesterday I was at the Leo Carrillo Ranch with the Pacific Photographic Society.  Thanks, Maxine, for arranging this outing -- it took the group to get me there.   I've heard about the ranch, but never visited.   There was a lot to photograph, including many peacocks.   As I was leaving, I decided I wanted to return another day for more photography.  

I saw my first albino peacock and. of course, took photos.

Loved the doors with blue trim.   

Robb Field, Ocean Beach

I hung out with my grandkids at Robb Field this morning.  The boys practiced tennis against a backboard and Paige and I went to the kids playground area for her.

 I took a few minutes to photograph the ospreys chicks.   The middle one in the first photo looks like he's staring at me (well at the big camera eye anyway).  

And back home, saw this hummingbird in my garden.  

Back to Rome ...

Via my photos, not another trip -- although I can see returning to Italy some day.

My last day in Rome I signed up for a bus tour to Tivoli and the UNESCO gardens.  Our first stop was at Hadrian's Villa, archaeological ruins of   Hadrian's Gardens and estate.

I was overwhelmed being there, trying to imagine what it was like when it was built and people living and playing there.  The rain didn't stop our group, nor many other groups, from enjoying the estate.  It helped that we had a very knowledgeable guide (Art Historian & archeologist) with a good sense of humor and strong voice.  

One of the ponds

Overview of just one area of the estate

Closer view of interior wall

Olive trees with a view 

 

Quick trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Terry Myers and I went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to see the epiphyllum exhibit.  This is their prime time for blooms & the lathe house where they are kept is normally open 7 days a week at this time of year.  I remembered visiting there in previous years and enjoying all the beautiful blooms.  Unfortunately for us, they are now only open on weekends with a volunteer there due to vandalism.  
Last year, according to one of the Park volunteers, there were folks that decided to pick some of the blooms.   Visitors must have picked one too many, because now it's closed during the week and only open on weekends when a volunteer can stand guard.   We were very disappointed, and I'm sure the volunteers/owners of the plants were too.

The exhibit is available only because of many volunteers who keep their plants here and maintain them all year for this once-a-year bloom. To all the volunteers who work so hard on this exhibit, we appreciate all your hard work and were sorry to hear this news.  

So, instead of posting beautiful flower photos today, I'm posting a few bird photos taken at the Park's aviary.   They, too, are beautiful, just in a different way.   

Southern Bald Ibis 

Storm's stork with nest 

Storm's stork

Need help with ID on this guy.  

 

Balboa Park

I went to the Balboa Park Garden Party (celebration of the 100th year of the Park).   Participated in the  Pacific Photographic Society booth where we took portraits of people in vintage clothing.   Clothing was provided by  San Diego Junior Theater .

While wandering around a bit I found myself by the pond and spotted a Mandarin Duck (male & female).  A first for me!   After seeing others' photos of this gorgeous duck, I finally have my own photos to share.

  

Continuing with Rome photographs

Love the color!   His purple sweater caught my eye.
then the wisteria, and the gorgeous building.  

She was oblivious to the world.  Wonder
what she was reading ?

 

Some of my favorites from the many walks we did.  

Wandering 'round Rome ...

Wikipedia lists 13 bridges in Rome.  This is just one we photographed -- -- more photos of the others to come.

Arch from oldest Roman stone bridge

Bit of bridge trivia:  the oldest bridge in Rome was built in 142 BC, the oldest Roman stone bridge.   All that's left of it today is a single arch in the river.  

Detail from arch

I was curious about the initials SPQR  & learned that they can be translated as  "The Senate and People of Rome"  

It is still the municipal symbol of the city of Rome.   The love locks that are so familiar in Paris, are seen here too.    

Home again.

I've just returned from a wonderful two-week trip to Rome.  Part of the trip was a workshop with Valerie Jardin.   Wandering around Rome streets withValerie Jardin, Shareen Hanlon and 11 other photographers -- a very exciting, full, memorable week.  Prior to & following the workshop I wandered on my own, including two bus tours to spots I wanted to enjoy outside of Rome.

As I process the seemingly endless number of pixels, I'll be posting now & then.  So here we go, the first of my attempts at street photography with Valerie.  

 This dog left his owner & came to investigate.  I was afraid he was going to lick the lens.  Ha!  

Loved the red pants.  As you look at this photo, check out the graffiti on the doors.  So sad!   Another blog coming on the graffiti & locals' comments.