My Wanderings 2022 - On my Walk - Through the Magic Carpet in Pacific Grove, California

Before Phil and I ever moved here, we admired the beauty of Pacific Grove.  We would look at the images of the pinkish/purple magic carpet online, dreaming of living here. Not a day goes by that I don't enjoy and feel grateful for the beauty around me.  It has helped me cope with losing Phil.  Each one of my walks is filled with the love and memories that he left me.

 

"In 1943, living in a tiny cabin overlooking Pacific Grove’s Lovers Point, gardener and self-styled adventurer Hayes Perkins (1874–1964) began to clear a poison oak-covered ocean bluff in Pacific Grove.  Perkins’s hand-water the coastal bluff with a mix of shrubs and South African drosanthemum floribundum, a succulent of the ice plant variety. Over 14 years he single-handedly created a nearly one-mile-long pathway into a dazzling springtime carpet of fluorescent-purple blooms, a floral “Magic Carpet”. Named Perkins Park in 1950, the garden plays an important role in the town’s appeal as a resort destination."

I'm still working on my video skills.   Having fun and I have a lot to learn!!!!!

 

My Wanderings 2022 - The Sea Otter on the Boat dock and a few Otter Favorites

  A sea otter sitting by the dock of the bay has been fun to look for.....I have spotted it on 3 separate occasions lately.  I keep my distance even though I watched people come very close to it.  I feel it is a good idea to keep space between myself and wildlife.  With that being said, I was thrilled to witness the amazing wildlife that was before me.

For sea otters, hauling out on land is a way to rest in safety from marine predators, warm up faster, and stay warm longer.  I reported one sitting out last year and was told by SORAC that she was pregnant and tired. 

After a time on the boat dock, it headed back into the bay, wrapped itself in kelp, groomed and back to sleep.

I have started putting videos on you tube and having a good time doing it  There are several of sea otters and I will be adding more as I get them.  

A few of my favorite images I have taken over the last year.

Crab seems to be a favorite on the diet.

 To keep warm, sea otters spend a large portion of their days grooming and conditioning their fur. This traps air and heat next to their skin. 

There is one esp blonde sea otter, I have watched her with pups over several years.  She is quite beautiful and seems to be a good mom.

Sea otters rely on their long whiskers to help them to detect vibrations and movement under water.

Sea urchins, mussels and octopus, all seemed to make a good breakfast.

Sea otter pups take a ride with mom through the water.  

Video of sea otter pup and mom.

#17 new experience of this year.

New fancy Salmon Sister sweat pants from my friend Patty.  

Thank you!!!!!!  I love them.

Week 13 of My Wanderings - Mar 28 - Apr 3, 2022 - Sea Otters, Sea Lions and Brandt's Cormorants

The days have started with clouds and a marine layer.  The color of sunrise was rare this week.

This week started with Sea Otters at the Coast Guard jetty.  I spotted one feeding right off the boat dock.   He was joined by a sea gull and then another.  I love mornings that start with a sea otter sighting!

Pulling mussels from underneath the boat dock.

At the end of the jetty the Brandt's Cormorants are nesting.  They show their special plumage for the mating and nesting season, the blues are spectacular and there is lots of nesting materials being gathered.

A snowy egret visits the cormorants.

An Osprey sat at the top of one of the docked boats watching the goings on below.

One morning I headed toward Carmel Valley looking for sun, but it was cloudy there too.  I had a very lovely walk none the less.

Can't resist a sea lion mug.

The wildflowers on the trail between Monastery Beach and Carmel River Beach....well they are getting beautiful!

A hummingbird was showing off a beautiful colored collar.

As I walked on the coastal trail in Pacific Grove, a black cat posed for me.

My free spirit has been talking to me lately.  After being a caregiver for Phil for 4 years and doing 365 days of images, I'm feeling the need of spontaneity.  I will no longer follow the routine of a weekly blog.  I am free styling it for a while.  I will continue my 64 new experiences and sharing them.

#16 new experience

This week my only new experience was seeing a ladybug on the beach.  I've never seen one walking across the beach before.  Pretty cute stuff!

Here's to another week full of beauty!

The wildflower in the dunes of Asilomar.....