To Everything, Tern, Tern, Tern...

Danny and I have been pretty cooped up lately. Especially Danny. So we went on a little day trip. We heard the 91 was quite backed up so we took the Ortega Highway to SJ Cap and south to Dana Point and up the PCH (1) to Huntington Beach. Geeesh, that makes for a long drive. Usually I like the drive, but I do not usually go in summer.

One of the drawbacks to wearing a plastic shirt all day, as Danny is, is that it is very hot. So we have been living in air conditioning for weeks, and that included the car. I had about had it. Needed fresh air and the air-conditioned car ride was getting to me. So I was relieved when we finally got to HB.

A pleasant surprise along the PCH in HB is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. It is a gem. I believe they have removed part of the berm and let the fresh and salt water mingle and the estuary is correcting itself pretty quickly. There is quite the wetlands saving movement in the area.



Dan on the entry bridge. Everything that is white is his molded plastic back brace.


The terns of Bolsa Chica. This is why we went. Whenever I use 'tern' in Boggle, Danny doesn't believe that it is a real word.




Love the herons



Must ask Danny to stop taking pictures of me from behind....


A man offered to take my picture. He was with his wife and he had hung around to ask. He saw I was alone and I think he thought he was doing me a big favor so I did not have the heart to say no. Danny had gone ahead because I had stopped to sketch.


Great picture that Danny took of a dive-bombing tern.


Click on this one to open it up, you can see the fish in its mouth.


It is so nice out here even the pigeons come in from the city to spend time.


This one is better - I am making myself visible on a hill because I had lost Danny at this point. Even with a broken back he is faster than I am.


Flocks. Notice the oil pumps.


Dusk brought the real photo enthusiasts out to play.


Found him finally. That is PCH behind him andthe $10-for-parking beaches.



On a more serious note, bird crime is still a problem in Southern California.

Here a gang hangs out in the exercise yard of BC Correctional Facility.


One hopes that this minimum security prison will be their last visit, not their first.