Place: Picturesque Upper Newport Bay.......

Who could have imagined that so much nature abounds so close to home? I mean the bay, estuary, migratory birds, the flowering meadows, reed beds, wild flowers, bluffs, hiking trails, boardwalk, wooden fences...discovering the wonderful Upper Newport Bay was not less than achieving a windfall or hitting the jackpot...snapshots of the bucolic setting...few hours of rambling in which allays all the stresses..

This place used to be my favorite hang-our during out 2-yr stay in Orange county, CA....
Upper Newport Bay was a marsh populated with native flora and water fowls....migratory season attaracted even more exotic birds...

This was the view from one of the vista point...

Blooming bush sunflowers made such a delightful sight....

The bay viewed from the window of reeds and canopy of pepper tree...

Mustard blooms grace the sidewalks....

Where the ecological preserve and urban area meet.....

I cherish the walks along this serpentine path bordered by cattails, willows ans sage scrub...

Those who are lucky to be living near-by ought to garb the opportunity to visit this slice of unspoiled nature...

On a glistening sunny day....

The broad boardwalk....

The palm and marsh thickets fringed bay.....

The scenic bay from another perspective....

The path to contentment....

A birds's eye view of the circuitous bay.....

The dried reed bed..........

Abloom bush sunflowers..........

Draped in golden attire as sun plunges down, on a summer afternoon...

Millions of sparkling stars created on the rippling bay touched by the shafts of setting sun. These are the magical moments, that enthrall the beholders, rendering them oblivious of their mundane existence. What if the spell lasts only until the fiery sphere retreats for the day...

A priceless sunset scene ...the fluttering gulls and the accompanied cacophony made it a breathtaking view.

So many happy memories generated there...

This picture may not do justice with the serenity of this place in real, but this is the most blissful retreat I have discovered near my house. Just below the steep gravel path lies the Upper Newport Bay and the adjoining ecological preserves. This is not less than a horseback riding, cycling, dog walking, birding, jogging paradise. Throughout the year, this scenic place has something  heart-warming and exciting to offer..I am so glad to discover this piece of heaven so close to home....

Sunny bright wild flowers abloom in the marshy meadow of Upper Newport Bay. It is hugely enjoyable to stroll by these blossoms, watching the humming birds and bees hovering about them. It feels as if spring is already knocking at the door.

An orange hen and a white leghorn cock perching on the wooden fence. Such rare sights make me pause, soak in the innocent fun and smile. This peaceful place with rustic setting lies on my way to the bay. 

As I pass by this fenced yard, a flock of fowls and a gaggle of geese crowd me and demand for feed. Though I disappoint them, I love the attention and expectation.:)..

I discovered this play-set on the bluffs of Upper Newport Bay. Surrounded by camphor trees and a beautiful flower bed, fringed by abloom wild mustard and other chaparral flora, overlooking the picturesque bay, from a kid's perspective, it seemed to me an Elysium. A haven to play till getting dog tired, all the way inhaling the fresh air imbued with wild flowers and watching the chirpy birds hopping among the shrubs.....

The flowering meadow on the banks of the Upper Newport marsh. It's a perfect place for sitting a  spell, soaking in the solitude, only to be disturbed by the chirping humming birds or buzzing bees.