Oceanside Sunset

Photos taken 1-11-2010. The weather was just great! Southern California Rocks.

Sky Circle

There was a circle in the sky this afternoon. These were taken near the Oceanside CA pier.

It's the second time that I have seen something like it in this area. I also spotted a sky circle in the background of a news broadcast from Afghanistan. My speculation is that is a vapor trail from a military aircraft doing some type of maneuver in the sky.

I tried to run it down on the Internet. There are similar photos to be found but it quickly degenerates into a huge conspiracy theory about vapors being released into the atmosphere by some black government program. I am just at my limit on conspiracies and am unable to follow another one.

If you follow the trail it goes up over the sun.

If anyone has a clue as to why we see these in our sky let me know.

NPR Link

You may have heard this report on NPR’s Fresh Air. This story is all new to me.
It is about an American secretive society that smells like Fascism.

The interview is a good one and ought to be widely shared. In a way the story and
The players remind one of some fantastic and unbelievable screen play.

Cheers,
Old Dude


The Secret Political Reach Of 'The Family'


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120746516&ps=cprs

Botanical Gardens in Balboa Park

Always worth the trip. They change the display from time to time and it is always free to walk in and see the plants.

Oceanside "Top Gun House"

House used in movie "Top Gun"
It has been there for over 118 years; but it is in disrepair and will be removed or torn down to make way for a beach resort type development. It has a great view of the Pacific and the Oceanside Pier. It's a shame to let a historical house like this just fall apart.

Details on front

Side View

Back View toward Ocean

Front of House

Short video of this house on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWMGvDLAbYc

Carlsbad California

Dredging rig near Tamarack Beach

Steps near "The Wall" Tamarack Beach, Carlsbad

Lion

Shore Birds

Shore birds photographed with my new 170-500mm zoom.
All from a small area where the San Luis Rey River joins the Pacific, right next to the Oceanside Marina.

Snowy Egret, against the cement on the river bank.

My bird book says black legs and yellow feet. But this one

has that yellow foot color running up its legs, behind it's backwards "knee" joint.

Black Phoebe
Spotted Sandpiper

Brown Pelican

Flip Flopping Wingless Shore Bird

Beach Summer

Mission Bay Park, San Diego

Egret at San Luis Rey River near Ocean

Beach Parking Lot at Oceanside Marina

New Seat on Bike

Afghanistan Truth

Malalai Joya

Want a different perspective on what is going on in Afghanistan? Try this link. A woman, Malalai Joya, tells some unpleasant facts about what is going on there and how corrosive the USA's actions are in that part of the world. If her facts are correct, then the USA is in deeply disturbing "Wrong Moral Position". Where our tax dollars are funding crooked war lords. Malalai Joya has a compelling story and message that should be required reading.
If interested, look for the "Big Lie of Afghanistan"

http://www.malalaijoya.com/index1024.htm

Peace

Old Dude

Riding the Path

Kathy and I finally rode the San Luis Rey Bike Path. (part way)

We met up with a Mom and her two boys that had two chiuahuas in thier backpacks, enjoying the ride.

New brake pads. The original (Schwinn) were small and had hardened. The front one had a terrible squeal. The new ones are Aztec2 and are much stronger and quieter.

Bicycle Meander

Building for sale in Oceanside, CA. I like the style and have daydreamed about what kind of business should be here. So far the favorites are a beach bar with the Harleys out front , or a health center where you could get healthy food and sports stuff like bicyle and kayak gear.

It has a view of the pier. And I took this photo while standing in a free public parking lot.

Just to the left of the image the street is lined with new beach homes. Two and three story. Narrow and on small lots. Rather expensive this close to the sand.

Home for sale in Carlsbad, CA. Its on a funny corner and is towered over by the mess behind it. This is a theme in the beach towns. The real estate has grown so valuable that many of the old properties are being torn down and a new "big as we can get it" home or apartment is built. In a way it is sad. To see the old homes lost forever.

These are called Traveller Palms; even though they are not Palms.
We first noticed them on Maui, they don't seem to be real common around North County.

Flowering bush at Buena Vista Lagoon.

Laguna Mountains in Spring

Photos taken while driving over Laguna Mountains from San Diego to

Yuma Arizona. This peak has always seemed out of place to me. That is not like the surrounding landscape. It looks different. Sometime I would like to go up and explore it with someone that knows geology.

Photos By Owen

Owen is a new talent in the photography world.

These are a few of his first images.

He brings the unique perspective of a 5 year old, practicing his craft.