please mama?

'please, mama? can i? huh?' 

we went back, to the lake, with larger lenses and big hopes of capturing the tern again. well, that was not to be (this time!), but we saw other amazing things. like baby birds, tiny swallows, sparrows, wrens and ducklings! this photo is over cropped, but i really wanted to share just the teeny baby duckling and it's mama, while they stood together on this submerged log. right outside the image is another adult mallard, and the ducklings two siblings, paddling furiously away. this wee one seemed to be asking (a perfect caption left on instagram, thank you sonja) could he go too?  :)

early bird gets... the early bird

we coordinated a day off together (LOVE when that happens!) and planned for some early morning birding up the coast...

it was also an opportunity to try out my new super lightweight tripod (hoping this one pinches fingers a bit less too!)

here is the little guy we came to see

and photograph

but these birds had other ideas (like flying away)

the california least tern

the behaviour we were really hoping to see was...

mating couples feeding on the railing

'where is my lunch!?'

here it is, i am here

with your lunch

i brought you a delicious yummy fish to eat

here you go...

wait! you haven't eaten your yummy lunch yet!

oh drat! wait for me! (this pair, disturbed by passing fisherman) flew away.



we came to see the california least tern. we hoped to see them feed on the rails here at oso flaco lake. it wasn't so simple. the pretty birds flew off at the smallest motion by us (of course) and so we would wait, and then tiptoe as close as we could to watch and take photos. and hope passersby wouldn't frighten them at inopportune times...

terns are seabirds in the family sternidae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers or wetlands.

    

we will have to try this again...

these two were not shy at all

hee hee

a tiny wren

 -->  feathers

mallard grooming station

little duckling trains of all ages put-putted around the lake

ten am, time to go. we've already been out a few hours, and we're a long way from a hot cup of coffee.

next time we will remember the thermos, we hope  ;)

xxx lori

p.s. my last post, thank you. 

bressay

my bags are not packed, but i'm ready to go...

my first knitted dress! this is bressay, done and done, and ready for it's journey to scotland and the shetland islands (again, deepest apologies for repeating myself, unless you are new here, welcome!) and again standing by the theory that the longer an item takes to make, the more photographs it gets, hee hee. this truly was an outstanding pattern, easily accomplished by even an ambitious beginning knitter. it's top down, a teeny bit of fair isle, sleeves in the round and lots and lots of stockinette stitch (i omitted the pockets). what makes this dress so soft and light (and cozy!) to wear is the loft wool it's made with. one of my favorite yarns ever, there is something magical about the delicate, yet sturdy fabric it becomes. my hap shawl, hansel, joined in the photo shoot, and completes my shetland outfit, plenty layered knitted warmth now  :)

bressay 

 these are my travel journals. in the foreground is a brand new blank book (waiting to be filled!) and materials, to give it a personalized cover...

 trying something a bit different, embroidery, crossing fingers it will work!

only thirty three more sleeps ;)

xxx lori