Enchanted Forest - Descanso Gardens

Enchanted Forest evening at Descanso Gardens in LaCanada...where you roam the grounds with imaginative lighting. Such a beautiful night.

Malibu Fire - Woolsey Fire - November 2018

The fires started in Thousand Oaks and quickly fanned over to the coast in Malibu.

The destruction in some areas is total....but there were many who were luckily spared, I believe there were about 250 structures lost.  The Woolsey fire has burned 96,949 acres and is 100% contained.

Here's a before and after map...which is heartbreaking to see

https://maps.geointel.org/app/gic-public/


and ways you can help

https://www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire/

Old Mission San Luis Rey - Oceanside

The beautiful Old Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, a beach community about 40 miles north of San Diego sits inland. There are beautiful gardens, quiet spaces, bunnies and sleeping quarters for retreats. Lovely.

Founded in 1798 by Padre Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, successor to Padre Junipero Serra, Mission San Luis Rey was named after St. Louis IX, King of France, who lived during the 13th century. The history of the San Luis Rey area reflects five periods of occupation: Luiseño Indian, Spanish Mission, Mexican Secularization, American Military, and Twentieth Century Restoration.

Mission San Luis Rey history

Birds feeding

House finch

Southern Magnolia

Bees are feasting on these beautiful Magnolias.

Garden

This is a matilija poppy which took a year to grow - yay! Sometimes it is a good reminder to keep dry plants dry....and keep at it. Looks like an egg...and it's nickname is fried egg plant.

These were grown from seed from the Theodore Payne native garden center in a packet called blues and purples. So success on this one as well.

Hummingbirds

Santa Monica Beach - cloudy day