Brads fungi pictures

Our friend Brad Seek sent us these wonderful photos he took in our local woods. Mike is going to hang out with him tomorrow and hope that some of his photography talent rubs off on him.

Always a great day at the tidepools

Again we enjoyed a few hours at Bixby's favorite tide pool beach.

 Bixby also enjoys helping Nana water the garden.

Nature art

One of my passions is setting up outdoor environments for children to interact with. I have several areas where I place interesting nature things for Bixby and Jack and Arlo when they visit. Here is one of them that Brooke enjoyed.

 Chase and Brooke brought their bunnies with them on their visit.

 Sugar bunny cuddled with Brooke while she and mom  reviewed their photos.

Music and kids

While our friend Roya and her two children were visiting we were treated to her daughter Brooke's music. This confident 8 year old writes her own words, strums the guitar and performs with her beautiful voice. Her brother Chase was content to sip hot cocoa and prod at the fire. We love it when children visit as they always allow us to view the world through their eyes.

 Brooke kept great rhythm on the drum when Chase had a turn with the guitar.

Hearst ranch Zebras

On the way back we were lucky enough to see the zebras near the road. These animals are left over from the days when William Randolf Hearst had a zoo on the grounds of his castle.

Baby Elephant seals

This weekend our friend Roya and her two children Chase and Brooke came to visit. On Saturday morning we went to see the elephant seals. We hadn't been for a week and there were at least four times as many babies. The male activity is increasing also. The babies only nurse for four weeks and then the moms mate again. We remembered the camera this time!!!

                                  It is amazing to observe how the moms relate to their babies.

                 Watching the gulls eat the afterbirth is the closest we have come to seeing a birth.
                              We missed this one by about an hour.

                                         The males vie for the right to mate with the ladies.