Summer

Nature is in full swing, doing its thing, at the end of Spring.


Berry interesting.

Mt. Rainier

Just a Buck

A young buck rests in the shade.

Mt. Rainier

Through 60 miles of atmosphere, the mountain displays its majesty.

Jesuita Fire

Seen from a commercial flight leaving the San Fernando Valley, the smoke plume from the Jesuita Fire in Santa Barbara doesn't look all that large. It's barely visible in the MODIS satellite imagery (see links below). But it's concentrated in a built-up hillside residential area that hadn't burned in a very long time. Whipped by strong winds, the fire has destroyed many very lovely homes. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has sustained fire damage as well.

Satellite Image Courtesy of NASA MODIS

Click image to enlarge

Other satellite images:
MODIS Satellite Imagery (May 5th) [NASA]
MODIS Satellite Imagery (May 6th) [NASA]
MODIS Satellite Imagery (May 6th) [NASA]
MODIS Satellite Imagery (May 7th) [NASA]
MODIS Satellite Imagery (May 8th) [NASA]


Smoke plume spreading to the south.

Inciweb - Jesuita Wildland Fire [inciweb.org]

Fire Status:

• Acres burned: 8,733
• Percent contained: 98%
• Expected full containment: 05/20/09
• Evacuation orders and warnings: All were lifted as of 05/13/09
• Cause: Under investigation (please call 805-686-5074 if you have any information pertaining to how the fire started)
• Homes destroyed: 80
• Homes damaged: 15
• Outbuildings destroyed: 79
• Outbuildings damaged: 2
• Commercial property destroyed: 1
• Commercial property damaged: 0
• Total number of personnel assigned to the incident: 189
• Engines: 11
• Crews: 4
• Bulldozers: 2
• Water Tenders: 1
• Fixed Wing Air Tankers: 0
• Air Attack Aircraft: 1
• Helicopters: 2
• Firefighter injuries to date: 32
• Estimated costs to date: $20 million

List of properties damaged or destroyed [Santa Barbara County]

Santa Barbara County 2009 Press Releases [Santa Barbara County]

Google Maps - Jesuita Fire Evacuation Permieter
Google Maps - Jesuita Fire Zone
Google Maps - Jesuita Fire - LA Times map
Google Maps - Jesuita Fire Map

More Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks County Park towards evening.

Lenticulars over Antelope Valley

Upper-level winds toss the clouds into fascinating shapes over Antelope Valley, CA.

Just the two of us

Canada Geese [Wikipedia]

American Robin

American Robin [Wikipedia]

Trillium

Trillium [Wikipedia]

Hearst Castle

The Hearst Castle is located on a coastal mountain high above the San Simeon area in California. Several different tours are available. A bus ride along a windy road from the Visitor center takes guests to the Castle grounds. Each tour covers a different part of the grounds. Be prepared to climb a lot of steps.

Below are a few pictures taken on a tour under overcast skies.


The Neptune Pool.


Grand entrance.


Columns at the Neptune Pool.


Column and ceiling detail.


Neptune Pool.
Click to enlarge.


Neptune pool from above.
Click to enlarge.


Ornate decorations on one of the guest "cottages".


Guest "cottage" entrance.


One of the guest bathrooms.


A guest bedroom.


Another guest bedroom.


Guest "cottage" door.


Statues in a water feature - main castle building in the background.


Entrance to the main building.


Inside that entrance.


Dining room. This must have been the inspiration for a mile-long table portrayed in Looney Toons.


Servants resting "seats" in dining room.


Dining room ceiling.


Ceiling detail (contrast stretched).


Ceiling detail in billiards room.


Projection room.


Indoor pool.


Panorama of the ranch seen from the Visitor Center. Castle is roughly in the middle.
Click to enlarge.


Closer shot of the castle from the Visitor Center.
Click to enlarge.

Jackhammer

A sign of spring approaching: a woodpecker hammers away at dead tree limbs trying to attract a mate with all the noise.