Humming like a Bird

extra energy? yeah, some...

There aren't a lot of creatures on earth that have more energy than a hummingbird. They pretty much feed on pure sugar.

But, my friends will confirm, when I'm buzzing I'll give any hummingbird (even this one I caught in Monterey) a run for his/her money.

Tomorrow, I fly to Asia for the first time in two years, so - yeah - I'm buzzin'!

Nature's Etch-a-Sketch

fleeting moments of zen

Alan Kay, a semi-legend in the world of technology (he was a scientist at Xerox Parc and Atari) once said, "Most ideas, you can do pretty darn well with a stick in the sand".

In that spirit, I found myself drawing in the sands of Asilomar Beach, near Monterey, during Christmas break. The wind, waves, and sand were so relaxing that I decided to create Jizo images. A Jizo Buddha is the patron saint of children and travelers (both of which I am accused of being).

Very quickly, I realized that the impermanence of life demanded these zen images be created in the surf break. So, I scratched an image, took a picture, and stepped back to let nature's etch-a-sketch go to work.

Fisheyes

A view of the tank at Monterey Aquarium

It Might Choke Artie...

but it won't choke me!

I can never eat a famous California artichoke without recalling that line from the Little Rascals.

Monterey County, just south of us, is the artichoke capitol of the world, so we have no problem getting them fresh, and freshly grilled.

This platter is from Friday night at Los Altos Grill - one of of our favorite local restaurants.

Praying for Abalone

Sea Otter, Monterey, California

If Jim Henson and God collaborated on a creature - it would look something like a sea otter, I'm pretty sure.
There cannot be a creature more suited to be a hand puppet.

I shot this sea otter in Monterey Bay, behind the Aquarium.
It is the best aquarium in America, by the way... so get your butt there as soon as you can.