A Perfect Storm

We had a lot of rain over the weekend, rain that is badly needed. But what a difference it made to the scenery.

This is a photograph of the main beach that I like to walk along.

Add some rain and clouds and it is quite a different look to the scene. More dramatic but still with its own beauty.

 Here is the dried up creek bed before the rain.

After the rain.

This shows some of the rubbish that has come down the creek and collected in this corner.

The birds are happy to see the rain. There are some curlews, seagulls, and avocets there.

And ducks.

 Let's not forget the blue heron and egret.

A large group of seagulls sitting further up the creek staying out of the wind on the beach.

More rubbish has been thrown up onto the beach by the waves.

Rain!

Yes we actually had some real rainfall last night. We need a lot more but I'm grateful that we got something.

Come Rain, Come Shine

Will we or won't we? Get rain that is. We are in a drought here in southern California as it has been a very dry winter so far. I can't remember the last time we had some rain and even then, it was quite light.
We could do with some from my home country England which is getting more 
than its fair share. The forecast for today predicts rain. I hope they are right.

This is me in the San Juan Creek at the ocean end. Normally I couldn't be standing where I am as it would be underwater.

Dry as a bone. Even the ducks have taken to the ocean.

Better news: the cycle and walking path to the beach is open again after being closed for maintenance. Hubby and I like to take this path to check out the surf and for exercise.

A portion of beach that has been stained by the iron in rocks that have become exposed over the winter.

Recent sunsets.

It was a bit windy and foggy last night but we decided to have a fire at the beach anyway. I love the sparks made when the fire is stoked.

Road Trip 4

We came out of the mountains and foothills and turned west towards the coast. Here we are in the Sacramento River delta area. Along the river were some quaint towns with old buildings, art galleries and small food markets.

There were various metal bridges every so often to small islands in the river.

We headed back into the trees near Santa Cruz to visit the Redwoods.

These trees are really tall.

The local wildlife keeping an eye on us.

Did I mention these trees are tall?

Interesting texture.

Today was our first rainy day but we made the best of it. The surfing museum was closed. Had everyone gone surfing?

Getting to the waves isn't always easy.

Some surfing rules.

The pier in Santa Cruz allows cars on it.

Despite the rain the Boardwalk was busy, though there were few takers for some rides.

I think having fun is allowed though.

We took a lovely walk along the cliffs so that Hubby could show me some of his old surf spots.

A surf spot called the Hook. Surfers give all the surfing spots a name. Some have to do with its location, or the way the wave behaves, and some are named for people.

The High Life

Ever since we put in our garden two years ago I have wanted to add a herb garden. Unfortunately the space was taken up by wood which we have gradually been using up by having bonfires at the beach. After finally clearing enough room for it we then had to work out how to do it.

We knew it had to be a high-rise herb garden because the space available was limited. Herbs need full sun as much as possible and we couldn't block the vegetable garden to the left (out of sight).

As an IKEA fan I looked at their catalogue and found these steel shelves ($14.99 each) which were and are perfect for the task. Most of the pots (and herbs) come from two local nurseries. The grey and white pots on the bottom shelves are old paint buckets which have been cut down and with holes drilled in the bottom. We decided not to use trays underneath the pots as they will overflow anyway when it rains.

The configuration we used allows maximum sun exposure and hides the rubbish bin.

I chose the particular herbs I like to use, plus strawberries which are so much better from your own garden.

Left-hand shelves: top shelf: Basil; second shelf: Curly Parsley, empty pot awaiting French Tarragon; third shelf: French, English, and Creeping Thyme;

bottom shelf: Strawberries.

Right-hand shelves: top shelf: Rosemary (l) and Spearmint (r); second shelf: Basil seeds; third shelf: Mint (l) and Chocolate Mint (r); bottom shelf: Strawberries.

I'm looking forward to using my own freshly grown herbs again.

'Tis the Season: Rain

Well it is raining here in southern California again. After six days of almost constant rain, we got two whole days of dry weather before the heaven's opened again this evening.

This is San Juan Creek which feeds out to the ocean at Dana Point. I don't have a before picture of this scene as it is usually a small trickle at this spot - not particularly worthy of a photograph.

On Wednesday, when this picture was taken, it had become a raging river, carrying whole trees, among other debris, at great speed.

Where it was deposited along Doheny Beach.

This is how the river mouth usually looks with calm water confined by a sandbar.

On Wednesday it was a very different story.

One of the locals checking out the situation.

Hubby was part of the annual beach clean-up event in September. Looks like another one will have to be held before next year's event.

The usual blue and white waves turned brown due to all the dirt and slit that came down the creek into the ocean.

An egret finding worms for lunch at one of the flooded picnic areas.