"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Friday Hike - *Portals of the Past*

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Friday began as a sunny, but cool day.  My friend Carol and I walked to one of my favourite places in Golden Gate Park - the "Portals of the Past". The area has a small rushing waterfall, lake (Lloyd Lake) and this beautiful marble entrance way.  It once graced a mansion atop Nob Hill (owned by a Southern Pacific Railroad milionaire, A. N. Towne).  The home, along with a lot of San Francisco, was destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake. Several years later, Mrs. Towne donated the doorway to Golden Gate Park.  It has proudly stood here for many years.





You KNOW I must explore every angle....and peering waaaay up, discovered this nest.  Suki - is it a Wasp's Nest?  Thankfully, it was quite empty! 



A few weeks ago, while visiting Stow Lake, I encountered a *Muscovy Duck*... well, Carol and I were surprised to find a pair of them, nesting along the lake ....they were a different colour (brown and white) than the blue-black one at Stow Lake - but those red *Face Masks* were undeniably those of the Muscovy.



HAD to photograph this fellow!

A Pine Cone...but covered in two different types of something *weedy*.....love the colours.


Mon *Cousin*, giving me a *Spring is Coming* Greeting!



*Feed Us*!!! 
(We did...we remembered to bring Pita Bread and Crackers!)


Of course, there has to be a *Turtle Sighting*.....  look closely, the rock they are all relaxing on - is, in fact, A Tortoise!!!  So clever!




The small waterfall that *feeds* Lloyd Lake.


By the end of our hike, the skies had greyed, the fog began to drift in....so we left and ended our day.

I hope you enjoyed hiking with me! 

Have a lovely weekend - and remember - Spring IS coming!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥


Posted by Robin at 9:43 AM
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22 comments:

  1. GeraldineFebruary 18, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    looks like a beautiful place to visit and stroll through. love the birds!

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:20 AM

      Hello Geraldine! It's lovely to see you (and perhaps Mr. Cheddar) here! I love this little section of the park....it really is like visiting another time...

      Hugs to you both - and I hope you will do an Animal Wednesday Post....we would love to see Mr. Cheddar!

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  2. TeriFebruary 18, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    I LOVED hiking with you. Wouldn't it be fun to hike together?! Me with my sketchbook and you with your camera. You would make sure I would miss nothing!
    Love those turtles and the duck dunking for food. Too fun.

    Hugs

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

      Teri....we would have such fun!!!! One day, it may happen! One neber knows - and when you are living in AZ, you are so close.....

      I know you love those *Dunking Ducks* photos....me too....I always laugh with joy - they are so sweet!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. SnowbrushFebruary 18, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Wow, I envy you your days without rain as rain is about all we get up here in Oregon. I enjoyed the photos, Robin. By the way, I know you're Catholic, so when you read my last post, you might also read my dialogue with Rhymes with Plague, a religious reader who became upset by my post. I go into how important it is to me to have religious people read my blog. I never blow anyone out of the water intentionally, so what I wrote to him applies to you too.

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:27 AM

      Snow.....I am sorry you are receiving ALL the rain these days.... I confess to not missing it - as our prolonged (and unusual) Sunny December, January days have allowed me to walk and excercise my knee.....but - we are headed for a serious draught this Summer...

      I always think of you when I am taking photos - because I know how you love being in the midst of Nature!

      I read your post - and commented - you know, we have been through so much together (losing Vicki) - discussing some of the heaviest issues in life - we are very different in some ways - but like *twins* in other ways. You are (and will always) be someone whose friendship I treasure!

      Love to all 4,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. sukipoetFebruary 18, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    again such a beautiful tour of the surprises of your wonderful city. I do not think that is a wasps nest. It looks like it has twigs or branches in it which wasps dont use as far as I know. they chew wood/grass etc and spit it out into a paper they use to make their nest.

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:30 AM

      Suki - I KNEW you would know if the nest was *Waspish* - (a-ha-ha) or not! See some of the comments below....it appears to be Birdie-created! I AM (sadly) a *City-Girl* in many ways...I don't get to see nests up close very often! I have now learned though - and will not forget!

      Love to you and Bibs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. Cris, Artist in OregonFebruary 18, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    Oh Robin.. what a delightful walk. So pretty. Love a water fall. Love the Turtle rock for the turtles. Clever people. The nest could be a Swallow of some kind maybe? Good to see the Robin. It brings hope Spring IS on its way soon. :)

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:34 AM

      Cris....I knew you would enjoy this!
      The water fall actually springs from a much larger one....next time I am there, I will take it's photo.
      (Rainbow Falls) Thank you for the info on the Swallow's Nest....you and Marianne agree it is a Bird's Nest! I adored the Tortoise Rock - and to have the *Red Sliders*
      (I have been doing some turtle *research*)...perched on their own image was a great discovery!

      Always a wonderful and uplifting sign to see my *Cousins* return...it means Spring IS on the way!

      Love to you, Con, Annie and Daisy!

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. ~BabsFebruary 18, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    My favorite kind of hiking, watching you!

    Love that doorway, just love it. Architecture such as this fascinates me.
    And what clever guys, the turtles!
    Spring is definitely in the air,,and we're getting more rain!
    I only wish it could do it with the sun out!

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:39 AM

      Hi Babs... we share an interest in older architecture...I am always fascinated by how intricate, powerful - yet delicate some of these buildings (and/or parts of buildings) are.

      Those turtles are wonderful! We girls are like them...adore the heat and basking in the warmth of the sun! (Of course, we need our sunbloc!)

      We STILL haven't had much rain....a promise - then just one day only....drought *beckons*....

      Spring is coming though - and that will help both our knees heal!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  7. Amanda SummerFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    portals of the past indeed.......this marble portico looks just like a little temple. it's wonderful to have architectural heritage like that recycled ~

    and i love the turtles basking in the sun on the back of the tortoise - so cute!

    have a wonderful week dear robin♡

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:42 AM

      Dear Amanda....it DOES indeed resemble a small temple! Can you imagine having this as your front entrance to your home? (Of course you can!)

      Turtles on the Tortoise... a great surprise to see how creative the designer was....

      May your week be lovely - and warmer!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. A.SmithFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    I love how to take me back to some of my most beloved places on Earth. That park holds so many beautiful memories for me. Did you get the invitation to tea? I hope you will be there, I sincerely hope so after all the changes.

    I think that nest is very similar to one that some sparrows built in our home. Year after year for about 5 years we could not tell if it was the same couple or some interlopers, but they built on top of the previous owner's nest or maybe their own, and eventually got rather heavy and fell down. Fortunately it was during the winter and no one was living there. It was a mess of mud, sticks, dead leaves, and tiny feathers. I still marvel about the construction at it was really a work of art. All of them are, truly.

    Looking forward to you bringing some sunshine when you come up. Oregon is back to the liquid sunshine, only we have the gray kind.

    Love and hugs.

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    1. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:47 AM

      Mon Cher Allegra...overjoyed to see you here!!! (Yes, I received the invitation...and was just a tad late for tea.....mea culpa!)

      Thank you for the nest input...after reading your comment, I went back and had a closer look at the nest...it was fascinating to be able to see all the materials used to build it.... aren't birds the most clever *architects*!!

      I worked at the de Young yesterday - and although I knew it was too early, still I peeked into the Fountain, remembering the 13 Ducklings from two years ago...no visitors yet....but I will keep you posted!

      I will do my best to bring the Sun when I come North!!! Spring is on the horizon!

      Stay warm and well.

      Love to you, B. Loved and the Furry Ones!

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. marianneFebruary 19, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Could it be a swallows nest? Lovely outing dear! wHAT A MARVELOUS park and history
    <3 M

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  10. RobinFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Marianne!!!! You are here! The world of Internet is amazing.... how lovely we can still *talk*! I hope you and your Cousin are having a glorious time!!!! Safe flight home!

    Miss you!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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    1. marianneFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:10 AM

      I am home but with a fever......:(
      I feel terrible

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  11. MimFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:54 AM

    This is so gorgeous - I love your walks. And the turtles!! Woowee. They are so cool

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    1. RobinFebruary 21, 2012 at 3:43 PM

      Hi Mim! Who knew Turtles could be so much fun....and they are, indeed cool!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  12. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 23, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    So much to see in the park. I love the turtles sitting atop a huge rock turtle. They look like it's babies. Those columns are magnificent too. Of course a waterfall in any garden is a big plus. Love to listen to the water traveling. It makes me restless though, like I should be traveling.

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