Evening by the Lakefront

Pair o' Ducks


Pair o' Docks


Reflections.


Ducklings.


Mom.


Keeping an eye on the kids.


Fishing after work.


Enjoying the evening together.


Sunset ends the day.

Birds at the Lakefront

At the Lake Sammamish Waterfront, the water level is well above normal. Birds of many species share the lake.

Geese.



Gulls.


Crow.

Wood Duck

This colorful little fellow was standing in a nicely lit spot just going through the motions of being a duck.








... and then he left.

Cool Lake on a Hot Day

Lake Sammamish, Washington - 90+ degree weather brings people and wildlife alike to the lake to cool down.


Three share a personal watercraft on the lake.


Feeding the ducks.


A man relaxes with a fishing pole at the lake shore as recreational boaters look on in the distance.


A colorful moth probes the rocks on the beach.


A pair of ducks cruise the gently rolling surface of the water.

An afternoon visit to both the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden and Descanso Gardens

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Peacocks, among many other animal species, are all around the park, on the ground, in trees, on rooftops - everywhere. They're accoustomed to being around people, and don't run off when approached. The males often can be found displaying their exquisite plumage.


Viewed up close, the eye-like designs on their feathers look as though they were painted on.


Do these birds actually experience something akin to pride? From a human perspective, their behavior often appears so.


Note the more densely packed patterns behind the bird's neck. These also look almost as though painted on.


Leaves on a ginkgo tree cast a pleasant shade over a park bench - a nice place to eat lunch.


A Chinese Lantern flower.


A Wood Duck stands next to his mate on the edge of a large pond.


Close to the large pond is a bamboo forest.


The bamboo plants, actually a huge member of the grass family, form a canopy high above the ground.


Even on a bright sunny day, only a soft light filters down to illuminate the floor of the little forest.


There is something very peaceful about standing beneath the bamboo.


Descanso Gardens

A blossom on a "Tulip Tree", illuminated by a patch of sunlight filtering between its leaves, almost appears to be on fire.


A fairly large area of the park is covered by a thick oak tree canopy. Some of these trees are well over 100 years old.


A relative of the Rhododendron, this bright orange flower appears to jump out from the softly lit background beneath the oak canopy.


Harshly lit against a dark background, a lone Calla Lily graces the scene.