Easter...Things I am Grateful for..

On this Easter Day, I am feeling blessed for so many reasons.....

The beauty  and harmony of Nature

   Opera!

Renee...my Muse.....(she always used this *Alice in Wonderland* painting on her blog...)

Bofie...my beloved Chocolate Lab..... (Taken in the Winter of 2008 in Inwood, NY)

 Animals....furry and feathery.....every encounter is a magical experience

The Sun

The Moon

The Stars

And.....YOU.....my wonderful, inspiring FRIENDS!  Each of you has brought joy and laughter back into my life.  I am so blessed.

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Encounters in The Presidio

The day was cool and cloudy...but I still ventured out to the Presidio to see what (or who) I might encounter.

First, I saw this lovely bird...  I've no idea what he is.....do you?

A little later, I heard a famaliar, raucous squawking...  it was a small *Squadron* of the famous "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill*....who often fly away from their *hood* and visit other parts of the City.... one can always tell when they are close - because their non-stop squawking while airborne, sends out a message - "Here we come"!  The flock continued on out towards Crissy Field - but one lone Parrot decided to land on this tree....and I was able to snap a few photos.  It was a really tall tree....and even with my little zoom, this was the closest I could come....but if you look closely, you will see him and his red and green feathers!

Later, I came across the most beautiful cannon I have ever seen.  I was fascinated to notice the intricate designs on it....Fleur d' Ly's, Fish, and other symbols....all embellishing a weapon of destruction.

The cannon was a French one.....  (of course).....who else would have thought to create such an elabourate weapon.  It was captured by the Americans in Cuba in 1898....and was ultimately brought to San Francisco and installed in the Presidio.

The skies slowly began to lighten.....

Some blue began to appear..

 Time to begin my two hour hike back home....  I'm sure the Parrots made it home long before I did! A-ha-ha!

Love to all,

♥ Robin ♥

Animal Wednesday - The Return of Maru!

You may remember Maru, the cat who lives in Japan!  Suki and I both did a post about him last year.  This video came my way via an Opera friend... Maru's *owner* put a stick inside the drain....and Maru was determined to get it out!  Enjoy!

HAW!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

The Calm After and Before the Storm

The rain has stopped!  (At least for half a day...)  I drove down with a friend to Crissy Field to have lunch at the Warming Hut....and we were joined by some adventureous Blackbirds!  We ate outside...unbelieveably, there was NO WIND!  It was almost mild..... but as you can see, those storm clouds are preparing to move in again!

Having a bath in the fresh rainwater!  Ah, feels good!

Okay...you fed me some of your sandwich....but I want MORE!!!

Me too.....I am fluffing out my feathers, trying to impress you so you will feed me!

Of  course no trip to Chrissy Field is complete without a Peli-sighting!  This fellow wasn't too sure about me...and was stepping away...love the foot action!

 

I was planning on using this as part of my next *Colour* blog....(that's why I am pointing to my sweater)...You will probably see this shot again one day and now you all know what colour I will be posting about!

Right after my friend snapped this photo, the rain drops began to fall...so we dashed back to the car and home!  Rain is expected non-stop for the rest of the week.....sigh...

I hope everyone is having a glorious Spring-like Monday!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Animal Wednesday - ♫ Canine Concerto Duet ♫

Borrowed from my beloved Koa's  (the Opera Star) FB page!  Aren't they too adorable!  Thank you Koa and Rodney!!

♫ ♫

HAW!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Feathery Friends at Ft. Point and Near the Bay

Last week marked the end of our beautiful, dry Winter....(it's storming today and for the remainder of the week)!  Winter in Northern California is definitely going *out like a Lion*!  Roar!  Anyway, my friend Carol and I spent most of last Friday wandering down Crissy Field and into Ft. Point.  Enroute, we met a Raven-friend!

 Mr. Egret posed prettily!

I love the Raven perched atop the building with the Golden Gate in the background. (All my Raven-Sisters, especially Renee, were on my mind that day.)

 And...more Hummers!  Suddenly, they all want their *closeups*!

Blackbirds having their own "private" picnic!

As we approached Ft. Point, we spied a Cormorant sunning himself.

He waited for us to get closer...

 And still posed for us as a wave almost spashed us! 

Ft. Point was the only Fort on the West Coast (built in 1853) that originally functioned as a protection against attacks on the Pacific during the Civil War. 

 I loved the pattern of the entry door to the Fort.

 The cannons were originally used to discourage attackers from scaling the Fort.

Here is an archival photo, taken in 1910.......  what's missing from the view?  The Golden Gate Bridge - it wasn't yet built!

This was taken in 1933....the bridge is just under construction...

The view of the City from the top level of the Fort.

 Looking North - this sailboat appeared at the perfect opportunity.

Standing directly UNDER the Golden Gate.... it's fascinating to listen to the *music* of the cars passing above...

The Lighthouse.....a must in our fog..... this one was used from 1864 to 1934, when the foundation of the Golden Gate blocked its light.  (These days, there are several Lighthouses up and down the Coast....I love listening to them on those foggy days!)

 We had an unexpected *Feathered friend* fly up to where we were standing to say "Ahoy ..I think I'll land and keep you girls company"!

It was a lovely day....  I hope you enjoyed coming along!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥