Kowledge: Breadlines...........

It seems, if you are interested in your surroundings, every moment, every place is a source of information. Yesterday, we were going to the book store and this queue of people relaxing by the entrance gate of the mall, caught my attention.  The advertisement read 'breadline starts here'. Curious to know the details, I browsed the net. Got to know, it's a line of people waiting to get free food distributed by an agency or a charitable organization. How the tradition started I am yet to find out, but during the Great depression, unemployed hungry people made long 'breadlines' before urban centers and were fed by private funds. 

The first hundred people in the line were supposed to get bread free for a whole year! Interesting is not it?

  

Festival: Fourth of July preparation and celebration...........

The American independence day is barely a week away. Preparations are going on in full frenzy, going by the advertisements posted on the streets. Firework displays and expo are set  to unleash. Even garage sales are going on in full flurry. Residences have already sported the star-spangled banner-themed centerpieces, door covers, cutouts, suspenders, garlands.

The D-day....glittering display of fusillades...few snapshots for memory's sake...

Observation: Tree-lined path...................

The other day, I discovered this weeping fig tree-lined sidewalk.....Could not help admire the equally spaced-plantation and uniformity of shapes and sizes...the gardener certainly deserves kudos for the appealing and meticulous topiary job...

Observation: Solar panels on roofs...........

I hear a lot about the practical utility of solar power in harvesting energy. But, I hardly had any practical experience. The other day, wandering around a neighborhood in Irvine, I stumbled upon these houses with roofs installed with solar panels. It was a pleasant surprise to see people waking up to the importance of adopting non-conventional sources of energy. Hope, the time is not far when all roofs will sport this look and reliance on fossil fuels will subside....

Fauna: Cottontail rabbits in the wilderness..........

We were walking along the sidewalks near the Woodbridge Lake in Irvine and my faze fell on these fuzzy critters grazing on the grass. I approached them to have a better look and instantly recognized them. It was a twosome of cottontail rabbits. Never before had I seen these lagomorphs, at least in the wild. I was delighted to get to watch them from so close quarters.Scared of my foot steps, one of them vanished into the thicket. However, the bolder one hung around for me to inspect and take pictures. Sighting the bunnies certainly made my evening. Have a look............

A fuzzy pair grazing away.........

Observation: Fences of all shapes and builds............

During the course of my ramblings in various meadows, parks and neighborhood, I have come across an array of fetching fences. The palings or palisades built of either wood, metal or concrete, but unique and pretty in their own right... Sharing the pictures of some of them...

Fauna: Baby animals......

Tree squirrel........
I was riding bike along the fence of the Santa Ana golf course. This cute baby squirrel crouching under the eucalyptus tree grabbed my attention. I paused to have a better look at the adorable critter. Scared off by my approach, it crawled up to the trunk, hung up there and looked at me with anticipation....Check the endearing little guy...

Ground squirrel.........

A kudu lying on its food tub.....

Otter baby curls for a nap...

A baby rhino.......how rare it is to witness a young rhinoceros!

A young elephant enjoying a mud-bath...

Monkey......

Little jaguar kid 'Valerio' going out to play with his plastic can toy.....such a adorable feline boy..

Discovery: Summer meadows in South California..........

Snapshots of summer meadow in Black Star Canyon...............

Open space, fresh air, vibrant greenery, sun light, golden grass, wildflowers, silky breeze...the perfect place to get lost....

And a delightful summer meadow in Wildwood park...
What a fabulous experience it was to navigate the narrow dirt paths flanked by these swaying grasses!

Very few souls within sight and the distant-horizon revitalizes the spirit..

Mission trails regional park........

In summer, most of the chaparral meadows in South California, in my observation Ventura to San Diego county  are covered with this golden carpet of grasses..I always wanted to know the identity of this plant...got to know, its wild oat (Avena fatua)....

Now, I wonder if this plant, apart from creating a scenic landscapes to hike and providing food to myriad chaparral critters like towhee, sparrow and squirrels, has any human food potential?