"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."


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Golden Gate Park - from One End to the Other

Monday, it called to me...the need to be outdoors, to walk and walk and walk...so, *armed* with my trusty Canon..(and some peanuts)..I set off to walk the Park from end-to-end.  (A little over 5 miles)  So....come on, join me!



First Stop - The Horseshoe Courts





I remember my Father taking me here as a child....not to play horseshoes - but to gaze up in awe at the beautiful White Horse carved in the cliff..


Sadly, with time and erosion and years of neglect - all that remains of this Magical Steed is...

A bit of his right hind leg and if you look carefully....part of his tail...


Into the Park...



Yes, even Cactus grow here!

Second Stop - Stow Lake










Turtle Time......everyone was out enjoying the Spring Sunshine!

Backview...

Frontview....


The Snout-Nosed Turtle just emerged from his Winter's sleep!  





Muscovy Ducks...there are 8 who live here.. but on this day, I only saw two..







The Geese departed over the Winter.....but are beginning to return....and *Court*!  I saw these two atop the cliff in the centre of the lake...hmmmmm...can Goslings be far away....?




We do have a Waterfall here.....(man-made, of course)...*Rainbow Falls*!









          Also encountered...this van.....had to take the photo for Yoborobo!




My first *Hummer* of the Spring!







Bison!


There are also some very fuzzy Owl Chicks across from the Bison....  I didn't know about them until the day after I hiked here....but I am using a photo taken by my friend, Rodney!


Look at that mask....a little *Don Giovanni*!



Third Stop  - North Lake

The *Wildest* area in the park - and my favourite!  Not too many humans...and home to Raccoons, Stellar Jays, Ravens and....Coyotes!
(Nope...didn't see any Coyotes on this trip...although we have crossed paths!)


More *Masked Marauders*!











 As I walked...and we neared the Ocean, the weather clouded over...... but seeing the Old Windmill and the beautiful flowers in the *Tulip Garden* still brought brightness and warmth to the eye!













Leaving the Tulip Gardens..it's just a few more feet until you reach........



Stop 4 - The Pacific Ocean







Whew!  I was a bit tired after this long hike...  but it was wonderful!  I'm glad you made the hike with me!


Love,

♥ Robin ♥

21 comments:

  1. gosh, i am tired too after my vicarious hike! thank you for the walk and wildlife views. from the protected feeling park to the wide ocean views. love it all.

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    1. Glad I *tired you out*! A-ha-ha! I find that whenever I push my body...I sleep so well!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      p.s. CANNOT WAIT to receive your book! You know how much I adore your poems!

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  2. ps thank you soooo much for ordering my book!!

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  3. Hope one day I can take this hike with you for real!
    What a lovely trail and it is always so much fun when you encounter animals!
    HAW
    and ♥
    M

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    1. Dear Zus....yes, next time you are here...we will set aside a day and make this hike! It will be EASY for you after your 4-Days Marathon!

      ♥♥ R ♥♥

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  4. wow.. what a lovely walk. How long does it take you to walk this? Loved all the photos. but sure glad the Raccoons are not out in the day time here. :)

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    1. Cris...if I was to walk briskly, without lingering to take photos, it would take about 2 hours....this day, I was gone for over 5... so much to see and photograph....

      These Raccoons are pretty protected at North Lake...they have their own little *Island* and come over to the one I walk on to see if I have any *goodies*... they have always been well-behaved... but, I have had some in my own back yard who were vicious....

      Love to you and the *Chicks*!
      ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. that is just awesome! I've never walked thru the park and wow - the animals and peace - just beautiful. Glad you had your camera and glad you had such a good time

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    1. Mim... you would love this...and..you can bike through most of where I go...

      Yes, over two years of blogging has taught me to take my camera everywhere! It's the way I can be an *Artist*!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. I think you're right Robin in that the way you collect your photos and then narrate them for us to share in the experience is very much like creating a work of art. I loved taking this hike along with you and seeing the sights. Racoons are so funny aren't they ... I mean they look like they're up to mischief no matter how innocent they try to seem.

    And turtles ... well they just make me giggle. Such an impractical design of animal and yet there they are ... quite happy in themselves. Nature has a way of telling us things ... like practicality really matters? Nope, not always.

    Much love to you Robin, xx Jos

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    1. Hello Dear Jos..thank you for that wonderful compliment...I do try and create something meaningful when I take my photos....

      I love those Raccoons too.. they have the sweetest faces....although they do have a mean side if they are threatened...

      As for the Turtles...you are so right...Nature knows what she is doing..even if we *mere Humans* sometimes don't get it...

      Love and Strength to you...and to your Mum,

      Always,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  7. Thanks for the walk Robin. So much to see and enjoy!!

    Hugs

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    1. Hugs right back to you Teri!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. And I saw heaven opened, and Behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True ...

    Revelation

    I am sorry that your childhood icon has been overtaken by the ravages of time.

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    1. Ring....I know that verse and have always loved it! Thank you for sharing it here.

      Yes, I was saddened when I saw the *remains* of the White Horse....he lives on in my memory - and now, in the memory of those who read this post.

      Big Hugs to you,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Ohhh! what a pity about the white horse!!

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    1. Hi Debbie... sad how some things are not saved for generations to come...

      Hoping your landscape is slowly turning GREEN!

      Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. great goddess - this is a veritable jungle of animals! but my favorite of all is the turtle tower!!

    love your new header - AND - hearing your voice in the animated version of *Robin* on your sidebar - very cool!!! xoxo

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    1. Hi *Twin*! A-ha-ha - that *Turtle Tower* is funny, isn't it? I've never seen so many in a row!

      I've used the *Voki* programme for over a year now...it's fun to change the backgrounds (and the ensembles) and to add a personal greeting!

      Love, always - and a big kiss to Mia!

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  11. So sad about the horse. I wonder why the city let it happen.

    The Japanese Tea Garden was a place I visited many times back in the 70’s. Most recently, I enjoyed the tea garden in Portland.

    And wildlife. Those turtles are amazing.

    A Skeletor bus. What a kick. I remember Don and I buying every He Man action figure we could find and give as a gift to our son when our daughter was born. Of course, it was all from her.

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  12. Cute little site. I loved Golden Gate Park and spent a lot of time there when I lived in San Francisco. It's a nice place to go to avoid the people there in San Francisco.

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