During my recent walk around Oceanside Harbor, I encountered wildlife that you might expect by the water.
For fun, I took these photographs!
Okay, what animals do you recognize?
In addition to more common seagulls and pigeons, I observed Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Brewer’s Blackbirds (I think!), and Sea Lions snoozing and hanging out on the docks!
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Several days ago I visited the Nature Center of the Buena Vista Audubon Society. It was my first time stepping through the front door.
The Nature Center is located at the south end of Oceanside, at 2202 South Coast Highway next to Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The building is open daily, from 10 am to 1 pm.
From across the driveway, a short but beautiful trail loops through part of the lagoon. This nature hike is an easy way to see birds and other wildlife that thrive in the wetland. You can enjoy photographs from two of my past hikes here and here.
Inside the Nature Center, visitors learn all about the life of the lagoon. There are lots of great educational displays.
I was most amazed how dozens of examples of native wildlife have been preserved via taxidermy. A super friendly volunteer working the front desk explained that over the years, dead animals that were found were transformed into these educational displays by one individual who loves taxidermy.
The Nature Center also features a meeting and activity room, fascinating rocks and minerals, a microscope through which insects and tiny lagoon organisms can be studied, a long table full of bones and assorted specimens that can be handled, and an upstairs observation balcony. There are works of art and a cool little gift shop that supports the local Audubon Society, too!
If you’re ever in South Oceanside when the center is open, step inside! If the Nature Center is closed, take an easy walk along the hiking trail!
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I visited the amazing Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center today in Oceanside and learned they’ll have an art auction on Saturday, October 17 that will raise funds for the local Audubon Society.
Artistic birdhouses and other works of nature-themed art will be auctioned or for sale at the annual fundraiser.
There will be live music, food and drinks at this special event, too.
Very cool! Get some beautiful art while helping efforts to protect the environment!
To learn more, visit the Buena Vista Audubon Society website by clicking here!
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Another perfect sunny day in Encinitas. The beautiful views from Swami’s Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Swami’s Surf Beach brought out my camera.
It was the middle of the day mid-week in late summer. I didn’t see too many surfers out at the world-famous point break.
Look at the gorgeous blue and green colors of the water!
No, I didn’t walk down to the beach this time.
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It was the perfect day for a nature walk in Sweetwater Park beside San Diego Bay.
The beautiful, spacious park on Chula Vista’s bayfront opened just last year. I noticed today that the native vegetation has filled out a bit more.
A weekday hike is perfect if you want to feel and observe nature. I saw many late summer blooms, and birds in the distance.
Some photos as I strolled along several trails…
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Was it a good omen?
A Great Blue Heron was visiting Balboa Park’s amazing Japanese Friendship Garden today.
The graceful bird stood patiently on a rock in the Lower Garden, above silvery water filled with colorful koi, the subject of countless photographs.
As I departed, I asked a friendly person who works at the garden if the heron might be a good omen.
“It’s eating our fish!” he replied.
But hunting so beautifully…
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Every so often a new exhibit will be installed in the Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument. The latest is titled Ground Truth: Stories of Hope in Conservation.
A series of photographs demonstrates how National Park Service personnel, scientists and volunteers work to understand and conserve the complex natural environment at the tip of Point Loma.
Ground Truth is defined as the direct observation that supports a theory, confirms a recovery, and validates the hard work of restoration.
One sign in the exhibit continues to explain: From the recovery of a species to the restoration of a fragmented habitat, these photographs move beyond abstract headline to show the tangible reality of a world fighting back and those fearless leading the fight.
Photos show the measuring and mapping of life in tide pools, the removal of invasive plant species in the park, the intensive surveying of biodiversity, the monitoring of fog which provides moisture for coastal plant life, and more.
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This happy mural was painted in 2017 at the Golden Hill Recreation Center. It depicts children together with nature.
Members of the community and volunteers with I Love a Clean San Diego came together on Coastal Cleanup Day to paint the colorful art. It decorates a retaining wall behind the center near the playground. You can see a photograph of the event and people working on the mural here.
Despite a little vandalism, the mural remains bright and beautiful almost ten years later. Flowers, butterflies, a hummingbird, coyote and rabbit populate a world where children jump and play.
A few photos for you to enjoy…
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Expansive views of the Tijuana River Estuary await those who venture to the south end of Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach.
The North Beach Trail begins here on a wooden walkway that leads to a scenic view spot at the edge of the green marsh. Gazing to the south, one can see buildings in Tijuana, Mexico.
Crossing west past a high sandy berm to the beach, views open to the blue Pacific Ocean and the distant Coronado Islands which lie off Tijuana. A sign in one cluster of boulders warns of rattlesnakes.
I walked around here with my camera recently, in the sunshine and pleasant sea breeze, gazing out at the wide world. No, I didn’t see any snakes.
It was a beautiful day.
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The 2026 Geranium Show and Sale was held this weekend in Balboa Park. Members of the San Diego Geranium Society filled Room 101 of the Casa del Prado with beautiful living color!
There’s something very homey about geraniums. They’re easy to propagate and grow, and their cheerful blooms endure most of the year. What home doesn’t have a pot of these flowering plants on a porch or window sill?
In addition to the different varieties of geranium in the show, visitors could view works of art and special displays that celebrate the geranium.
Some photographs…
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