Place: Hiking to Blue sky preserve and Poway lake.....

We had done this hike last summer....somehow, I had forgotten to post about it.....so, here it is...
It starts with oak woodland....with dense ground cover of poison oak!!

Characteristic of many chaparral vegetation, charred trees are a common sight....

Beyond this rocky hills is the the lake Poway.....

To reach there, these trails must be finished...

The sunny paths are punctuated by shaded oak canopies....

A  much-needed respite it was!

It was early summer, so yucca were blooming profusely.........

Many bushes were infested with dodder......

Sticky monkey were brightening the landscapes.......

Also, these pea-family flowers.....

The fallen logs were harboring fungi....

Up above some trees were hanging bee hives!

Spotted a scorpion..though dead one...

Finally reached the lake...

Saw this pekin duck, among many other fowls......

We had some pleasant time by the lake, perched on the grassy slopes, under the lush trees, before heading back .....

Place: In and around San Diego....

I love exploring nearby places...and San Diego offers ample opportunities for this longing...it has a diverse set of places to unwind and soak in the serenity...

Here, I am on the grassy bank of Lake Poway....

Here, by the reed edge of Lake Jennings...

Closer home, its Mary's grotto in Mission San Diego...great place to contemplate and find peace..

Victorian village, Heritage park, Old Town...........

Seaport village, by the "Unconditional surrender statue".........

Atop Mount Soledad....

San Diego safari.......

Mission trails regional park.......

Lake Murray.......

Julian...famous for apple orchards...

Observation: Two lakes, two landscapes..

Pictures of two lakes...one is Alpine, another chaparral...
Lake McDonald in Montana...bordered by snow-capped mountains..

Lake Poway in California...fringed by arid hills, stunted bush..