Point Reyes National Seashore, California

I haven't felt like saying much in the way of words lately, but here are some pictures from the incredible day I had yesterday with my mom.

Hello from cold and rainy michigan!

Hi folks!
Well, it's been a tremendously long time since I've been around. I'm traveling again and am currently in the land of many lakes, Michigan. It seems that I've become a modern day nomad for the time being. All my stuff is in storage and I'm jet-setting about the country until the end of September. Quite frankly, a large part of me wishes I was in Tucson right now, with some stability and my friends. But I'm also taking this time to enjoy my family once more before I begin working.
So, I'll share a few pictures from my trip so far...here's what I've been up to if you are at all interested.

Watching the sunrise:


Contemplating life in the reflections of the lake:


Kayaking:

Sailing:

And taking photos of the frog that lives in my dad's hot tub:


Hope you are all enjoying the remainder of the summer!

I'm back

Hi everyone. It's been so long and now this blogland seems foreign to me. The break from blogging was much needed. I miss all of you, don't get that wrong, but this past month and a half has been a period of immense change and it has thrown me for a loop. It's been a cycle of big highs and big lows and even some in between. There are many, many changes happening in my life and with them I am coping, learning, growing. I'm also slowly learning to trust in the universe...that everything will be o.k. I've had the strangest feeling lately and I can't completely describe it...like riding on a bike with a blindfold in a hilly, foreign town with no map. But, I suppose that is life!

The trip to California (and Michigan in between) was incredibly fun and healing. It was wonderful to be around family again. A big dose of my mom and dad is exactly what I need when the going gets rough. In Califnornia (with mom) we managed to see so much I still can't even believe it. I went to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Lake Tahoe, Sausilito, and Sacramento. We drove up the 1 from Big Sur to Half Moon Bay (so insanely beautiful that I still can't get over it.)

Natural Bridges State Beach near Santa Cruz

Often, when my mom and I have time together, she is still working or at least has her head is in work. She's very successful, dedicated, and her work requires a lot of flexibility. This time, however, things were a little slower for her which allowed her to really relax and enjoy herself...something I haven't seen her able to do in so long. I'm so glad we were able to spend that time together. I think it was important for both of us and it's a time I will cherish forever.

Back in Michigan with my dad, we did a lot of relaxing...something that is always nice at his place. He is fortunate to live on a lake so many of our activities focus around water. My dad is a creative, fun, social person and we always have a great time together. We went sailing one night and it was the most perfect night, a subtle breeze and calm waters just before dusk. On the way back to the dock the wind gently pushed us back home. It was so relaxing that my dad fell asleep while driving our little sunfish.

View from the boat on the lake at my dad's

Family is a wonderful gift and I feel so fortunate to have one as great as my own. I'm not sure how much I will be on here...I'm still trying to regain my energy and enthusiasm. But when I do, I'd love to share some of my experiences with you. And if you'd like, you can take a look at my flickr stream to see some of the pictures from my trip. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

California here I come!

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I am leaving today for some traveling and am not sure how often I will get to post. First, I'm off to San Jose and San Francisco to visit mi mum. Then it's off to Michigan to visit mi dad. Then, back to San Fran again. All in all I think I will be gone for about a month. This is a much needed vacation and I will be sure to post some pictures when I can. Cheerio!

What is evil?

I don't consider myself a religious person, but I do think I am spiritual. I try to be very open minded about a greater existence because I think that we have such limited comprehension of our universe and beyond. This video gave me chills; I have to say I never really thought of it that way but it makes so much sense. Good ole' Albert.

Note: I don't endorse this organization or the teaching of any specific religion in schools.

Break from the heat

I can't believe it! This is my 150th post. Since I forgot to celebrate my 100th post, maybe this deserves some kind of celebration? So, how about a cheers to all of you who stop by and share my life with me! You rock.

It's been getting progressively hot here, but not as bad as it usually is this time of year. It seems that the weather patterns have shifted a little bit and we are experiencing clouds and rain in May. Very unusual but welcomed by us humans. I do wonder how a change like this will effect the rest of the desert. As I am sitting here typing, it seems as though we may get a few showers shortly. I'm not complaining...I love it!

Yesterday was pretty hot, however, and to escape the heat some friends and I drove up to Mount Lemmon. It's pretty amazing that you can go from desert to a place like this is 45 min. Here...see what I mean.

Doesn't look like a desert, does it? This amazing fern forest was such a treat for us desert dwellers. And for those of you from Tucson, this is located on the Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon. It's a steep hike, but well worth it.

The New Mexican Locust were gorgeous.
This waterfall is one destination on the hike...such a peaceful spot to take a break.

These caterpillars were all over the trail...probably why it's called Butterfly Trail. I wonder what kind they are?And these tent caterpillars were on another trail higher up. I know they can be pretty destructive in some areas (they were in Michigan), but I didn't see too many of them so hopefully they won't do damage. I just think it's so cool how they make this cocoon....like a big caterpillar orgy. :P

Tucson Urban Wildlife

My website for Tucson urban wildlife is up and running! If you would like to check it out, the web address is www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com. Thank you all for your kind words about finishing my thesis. That adventure is over, but I am looking forward to many more in the future.

Bats and more bats

A few days ago I took my camera to the Campbell Avenue bridge, where the bats hang out. I wanted to see if I could get something other than a blur (i.e. my old camera) to show up. It was fun to experiment with the settings and I think I learned some things about shooting in low light. There were some other photographers there too, and I learned that a different lens would help me tremendously. Nonetheless, I snapped a few good shots. Here is one of the stream of bats flying from the bridge to get their dinner...moths, moths, moths (and maybe some mosquitoes)!

An amazing dinner

A few friends and I won an award in a student work competition at our school. The prize: a gourmet dinner from one of our professors. It's a tradition that he offers this award every year for the best digital project, ours, a website created for a presentation to the Biosphere 2. Last Friday we went to his house for dinner, and all I can say is it was AMAZING. Aside from the food being incredible and gorgeously presented, the night time temperature was a beautiful 75 degrees and the ambiance was just perfect. Here are a few pictures from the night that I took with me new camera.