19 March 2013

A Walk On Torrey Pines State Park

March 2013



Went for a walk to Torrey Pines State Park, located in northern San Diego. Had heard about these very rare pine trees that grew only in two places in the world, this small area being one of them.

Morning had some haze and clouds when arrived near the Pacific Ocean. Roads were already full of parked cars, people had come to either enjoy for a day on beach or for surfing. Paid parking lots had few empty slots still.

The State Park was above a cliff, making a huge drop from its edge to a beach. You were able to walk only on a well marked trails in there, strictly preserving vulnerable nature and its rare and gorgeous pine trees. Of course view towards the sea looked very nice, too.

Torrey pine trees had soft and huge needles, at least 20cm long. Their cones were massive, too. Worth seeing them.

Saw variety of animals and birds in there, e.g. a baby rattlesnake (highly dangerous as they cannot control their poison), few lizards, few ground squirrels, a seal, an Anna's hummingbird (cool!), a red-shouldered hawk, common ravens, lots of gulls and several other birds which specie I didn't know.

GPS recorded route, about 12km (show a larger map):





Some photos


Dramatic looking sandstones

A Mojave Yucca

And Yucca did have some curly hair, too (or was it beard?)

As you can see, I like - EV stops in camera

Eeeee!!!   A rattlesnake

A lizard disguised by nature

Landing and flying practices

A cute looking marine mammal

A Hummingbird, never seen before. Awesome!

Pelicans flying in a form

Huge needles!

Torrey pine trees

A sandstone cliff

A sandstone cliff

A sandstone

Trail

Since 1864, just wow!

Hey you, down there!

A loophole towards the sea

Torrey Pines State Park and the Pacific Ocean

Growing on edge

Sea has dropped off its beard

Waves get washed over and over, day after day

Walking

Torrey Pines State Beach




10 March 2013

Sunday Walk On Beach

March 2013


Have landed at new home in Southern California.  Weather is quite different here, seen now snow only on TV.  As jetlag was still affecting,  decided to do some easy outdoors, like walking.

Went to see the Pacific Ocean and its beaches. Mission Beach was a target.  Not been especially keen at staying on beach, but seeing surfers has attracted me though.  Oceanside's massive waves are yet to wait for a next time.

Walked about some 10km, easy and lazy.

Was amazed about wide variety of hobbies people did. As amazed was about a number of different species of birds, living together in harmony with thousands of people.

Weather was something about +15C, windy but sunny. Spring's obviously arriving at San Diego, too.

Few photos from today on Mission Beach:

The real barefoot running. Great, gonna do it soon!

A side by side walk

A local +60 old chap preparing for his Sunday morning surf

Not interested in surfing

I should be in a kayak, not him

A SUP

Prohibited, not allowed, banned etc.

Cruiser bikes were popular, not so keen on them

Pick up yours

Get a Segway if walking is too much for you

This Bulldog had learned skateboarding

Heading north

From the 50's

A local forest


02 March 2013

A Winter Day On Ice

March 2013



For the time being, this is my last blog post from Helsinki. In few days will be moving to San Diego in Southern California.

Wanted to do something easy outdoors and especially something which I like very much. Walking on a frozen sea served it well.

Though winter has been extremely cloudy, last few days been opposite, beautiful sun shine every day. This morning temperature was clearly colder, about -15C in the morning.

Walked on ice around Merisatama, aka Havshamnen, in the southmost part of Helsinki. The area contained few small islands as Harakka, Uunisaari and Sirpalesaari (aka Stora Räntan, Ungsholmen and Flisholmen).  At summertime, all these tiny islands can be reached by small shuttle boats.

The day was nice.   Farewell Helsinki, you're the best.

Cross country skiing, dog walking and swimming on ice.   Unique

A Suomenlinna ferry tries to beat a monster. Go Go Go!!!

A Room With A View.  Frost guaranteed

A puzzle by nature

A small forest

Can you call this a forest?

Homemade ski tracks

Surface's been broken

Snow Barrels

A common hobby in Finland, cross country skiing

Waiting for summer

Uunisaari island has been my favorite for years

Brrrr ....

Connecting to main land

Uunisaari island, the sea and the sky

What else can you do while talking to your mobile phone?

Walking to Suomenlinna island? Unfortunately not possible anymore

A winter day at Kaivopuisto