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 .....

Season: Rain, rain, do come again...

When it rains, I get confused, over how to make the mos of the rare blessing in this semi-arid region...
A part of me says to stay home, grab a book, listen to soothing songs, write a paper, edit some photographs....over some steaming cup of tea.......
Other part says to brave the rain, grab the umbrella and go explore in the rain...capture the washed landscapes, flora, fauna....
To reluctant to miss any of the option, I end up indulging in both...
Rain has subsided, but a heavy monsoon climate, with thick clouds in the sky and humidity  in the air lingers...trees  look rejuvenated...mushrooms are popping on lawns...

The weather feels what it used to be felt in the months-long rainy season in India...Like many San Diegans, I am loving it..given the  elusiveness of rain here, who knows it will arrive again, least of all in generous doses..so, I have taken lots of pictures to dwell on it...hope, you will love it...

Rain and tea with book, in bedroom..make great combos..

Rain-washed apartment premise...

See the waltz of rain droplets..

White sky, soggy palms and soaked crow....typical rainy day picture...

The old Callery pear in front of the house never looked more refreshing..

My jasmine flowers coated in drops..

and the mandevilla too..

Sycamore twigs swaying merrily...

..as it picks momentum..

Visibility was reduced to less than quarter of a mile..

Zillion bubbles are forming and collapsing...

December is the wettest month in South California.....its pouring down since last night...its predicted to continue well into tomorrow...went for a walk in the drizzles and clicked some shots....

Healing, cheering, invigorating power of rain is unparalleled indeed..

Observation: Sand sculptures...........

In Ocean beach........

In a county fair.........

In Coronado beach.......

Season: Spring transformations in San Diego.........

In some part of the nation, blizzard is lashing out, but here in San Diego, spring is prevailing...presiding ...many subtle changes are taking place..reviving the flora and fauna...let the pictures below testify for that...

Spring flowers are popping up everywhere...with the generous showers so far, the lush vegetation and delightful flowers are putting up an eye-catching show...camellia, encelia, bougainvillea, aloe, acacia, wild radish, coral, empress, and many more......enjoy their vivid colors... the rainbow of flowers.........

Camellia............

Lantana............

Aloe..........

Bougainvillea.........

Some succulent.........

Jade plant....

African daisy.............

Crocosmia......

Aeonium............

Geranium........

Callery pear.........

Zillion empress flowers....

Refreshing cottonwood....

Canopy of aloe blooms...

Carpet of hardy ice.........

Hardy ice..........

Bottlebrush..............

More hardy ice..........

Daisies....

Sycamore...........

Loquats are ripening in prolific bunches....

The silky oak trees are golden with zillion bristle-like blooms...

The grass that was lush green months back has turned a picture of summer meadow...

The pretty red pomegranate flowers look absolute stunning on the tender green foligae...

Redbuds studded to the bare trees appear as spectacular as ever...

Avocado bloom...........

Pine pollen........

Sea lavender........

Spring is palpable in every nook and corner in the appearance of fauna...

Song sparrow.........

Bluebird...........

 Tree squirrel...............

Endearing bunny out on sundown foraging...