Despite the low rainfall this year, there was (and is) still much to see on Figueroa Mountain besides poppies & lupines, whose magnificent displays are almost over.  And… there is much to discover about plants and especially butterflies.

Having skimped on walking (one of my favorite activities) for many months, I thought a walk along Catway road would be a good idea. Catway proved to be quite different;  in fact it could be called Ladybug Road because the bugs appeared to be on just about every plant. I walked to the turnout at the trail head and then returned while photographing a few new plants, such as  Bitter Cherry with very ornate flowers.

(Catway Road – Bitter Cherry)

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I enjoy the chaparral-blanketed mountains around Santa Barbara with wildflowers in spring and summer, and subtle foliage in fall. I am grateful to live in an area with many bodies of water that host a variety of waterbirds and shorebirds at different times of the year.

Within a two-hour drive is another rich area with a great variety of native flora and fauna, sometimes on a slightly larger scale — Morro Bay. I have visited it twice before as a stop-off on the way to San Francisco, camping at Morro Bay State Park. This last Thursday and Friday were spent there again, and other than goofs on my part, was a great visit.

(Blue-winged Teal, Los Osos/Baywood)

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