Memories of walks with wonder in the Golden state.

Low Sierras, a forrest saunter.

My forest path, dappled with sunlight filtering through the canopy, beckoned me into a world teeming with subtle yet sacred beauty.

Beneath my feet, a carpet of thick loam, a collection of many seasons of decay. It’s soft and cool. Each of my steps cushioned by the scattered lacework of last year’s leaves, their autumnal hues a fading memory in contrast to summer’s vibrant green.

Sunlight reflected off a nearby rain filled hollow and lit the translucent wings of a dragonfly as it flitted amongst the pond side ferns.

As I walked deeper in the woods, a flash of sapphire caught my eye – a western bluebird perched on a lichen-covered branch, it’s soft, musical call often described as a quiet, low-pitched "kew” warned of my presence.

Its perch on an ancient Douglas fir,

provided a haven for the delicate lichens, their silver-grey and chartreuse patterns painting abstract designs.

The air was thick with the earthy aroma of damp soil and decaying wood. A soft breeze carried a sweet scent of an unknown pollen from somewhere; maybe honeysuckle.

Every rustle, every chirp, every subtle shift of light and shadow contributed to the symphony of life renewing in this wooded sanctuary, a reminder of nature's intricate and enduring artistry

I live close to Santa Barbara’s beaches and take occasional walks learning its pathology and enjoying its mystery.

My beach, like so many, has a canvas of wet sand  that swallows the waning foam from the last wave and eagerly awaits the next. The sound of each wave whispers tales of tides and distant shores.

Tiny rivulets, left by the receding waves, carves intricate patterns in the wet sand, some resembling primitive maps. Scattered in the sand are pearlescent shells – spiral whelks, fan-shaped scallops, and the occasional, perfectly formed sand dollar.

Close to the water's edge, colonies of sandpipers, on stilt like legs dart back and forth with astonishing speed, their beaks probing the damp sand for hidden morsels.

Overhead, a single file of pelicans creat a weaving streak in the sky.

A sea breeze carries the salty tang of the sea and leaves it in my nose.

Rock pools, miniature ecosystems exposed by the low tide, reveal a hidden world.  Further out the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore provides a constant, soothing soundtrack of peace.

I note even the simplest blade of sea grass, stubbornly clinging to the dunes, possess a resilient beauty. Its slender form sways as a testament to life's tenacity in this dynamic coastal realm.

The Anza Boreago .

California’s desert landscape  presents a stark yet mesmerizing beauty. Fine grains of sand, the color of burnished copper, ripple across the dunes, sculpting  elegant curves and sharp crests by the ceaseless whispers of the wind.

Closer inspection reveals tenacious life clinging to this seemingly barren expanse. A hardy cholla cactus, its segmented arms adorned with sharp, silvery spines. They stand as sentinel. Their vibrant magenta blossoms a surprising burst of color against the muted desert earth-tones.

More memories to come.