Friends Forever

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

One of San Diego County’s best kept secrets and most prized natural resource is the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. It is located close to Escondido. There are hiking trails as well as a Botanical Trail well marked describing the various plant life in the area. With this winters abundant rainfall everything seems to be in bloom including the stunning and vibrant blue Ramona Lilac. The Coast Live Oak is the most prevailing plant and each tree seems to be its own separate ecosystem.

Long Beach Sunset

Shot from Joe's Crab Shack in Long Beach on Jan 16, 2010 at 5:06 pm. Shot with 17-85mm f/3.5 Canon EFS lens. Exposure, 1/320 sec at f/10, ISO 200.

Gateway to Heaven

peregrine falcon

Once an endangered species in the United States, North American peregrine falcon populations have made a great comeback due to bans on usage of DDT and similar pesticides.

These falcons are formidable hunters that prey on other birds (and bats) in mid-flight. Peregrines hunt from above and, after sighting their prey, drop into a steep, swift dive that can top 200 miles an hour.

California Brown Pelican

In North America, the brown pelican is endangered, but populations are recovering to some extent. The sea birds were devastated by chemical pesticides, such as DDT, which damaged the eggs of pelicans and many other species.

Columbia River Gorge in Autumn

The Columbia River Gorge in northwestern Oregon is especially beautiful in the Fall.