Monarch Butterfly watching & Natural Bridges~ Santa Cruz

Over Winter break our friends took us over to Santa Cruz/Natural Bridges State Park.
 Which is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies.
 Visitors can see thousands during the butterflies’ peak season.
  It was pretty neat to see these beautiful, whimsical beasts in the wilderness. When you walk down the small canyon, you see a bunch of eucalyptus trees which at first the branches look like a bunch of dead orange, brown leaves...A closer look, they are actually tons of monarch butterflies huddling up together within the leaves to keep warm. It was really amazing, especially if you have never seen them before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When they felt brave enough you would see sudden bursts of fluttering
 butterflies throughout the canyon above you. magical really.

 

And perhaps you would be "lucky" enough to capture a glimpse of one really close up.
Like this sweet fella, who was much obliged to have his picture taken.

 

 

Our little group ventured around and took a nice little walk through trails and found an open area where people had built tee pees with fallen branches. The kids loved it and even built one of their very own. Freckles loved every minute of it. 

 

We also took a walk down to the beach area to see the ocean,
 the awesome Natural Bridge in the water and the tide pools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a nice picnic with our friends too.. It was a blast.
We spent the whole afternoon there and enjoyed every bit of it.

In The Nest....

 
We have been watching our little nest of friends for sometime now. Back in May Mama bird was preparing her nest in our plum tree. So sweet. Then just about 3 1/2 weeks ago there were four precious eggs inside the tiny nest. I thought it might be a hummingbird nest, but as we got a better look at the Mama, she was certainly not a hummingbird. She is small like one...Perhaps a Finch or a Sparrow? I am not sure.

Last week i peeked into the nest and there they were. Only three of the four eggs have hatched. Oh they are the cutest little things i have ever seen. Mama was close, I could hear her chirping. I made a quick visit, snapped a couple pictures and left so I wouldn't stress Mama out.

This morning i went out to see if i could get a glimpse of the babies. Mama was out...Maybe finding food for her babes. So I climbed the latter to see them. One was peeking over. Oh my gosh. They are adorable. Freckles said they look like little old men with their bald little heads with just a touch of fuzz on each side. They are all wrinkly and pink. I think I am happier than a bird with a french fry just looking at these babies makes my heart swell.
  
Only a face a Mama could love.
 
Within just a few days they are changing so quickly. By next week I am sure they will have feathers...Soon to leave their Mama's nest. makes me think of how quickly our children grow...Fast...Before we know it they will fly away and leave our nest. Thank God we have more time with our children than a bird does. Can you imagine your child growing up and flying away in just a matter a weeks.

What a brave Mama bird.
I hope to capture more of their growth and will share.
 If anyone knows perhaps what kind of birds they are...
Please drop me a line. I would love to know.
 Happy Monday!!!

Backyard Birdwatching...

     

Nature Autumn Walks...

 
It's officially Autumn...One of my favorite seasons. Yet, this is also the time where we seem to pick up those nasty colds and flu's. And, again my family got struck with it. Just as we thought it was all past us a couple weeks ago, we were hit again for a second time last week. A lot of vitamin C, water, rest and time...We are finally on a mend. Freckles and I started taking little walks around the neighborhood last week for a bit of exercise and fresh air...Most every time we find leaves and seed pods etc...lying around and bring them home...It is fun to collect God's beautiful works of art.
  
Yesterday we went out for a brisk nature walk around, picking up all sorts of pretty items. Leaves,twigs, pods, dried up berry looking things...all in an array of Autumn colors. Just, simply majestic. We live in the subs...which isn't like the best place to take in a nature walk....but surely even in the burbs or a city, you'll find a tree or something to marvel at....Even if it's in your own back yard. We are getting really excited... in a couple weeks we are going to the Hoot, Howl and Prowl at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve for a mile hike adventure to see some critters ( we are hoping owls) in the evening hours...And Freckles gets to dress up as a wildlife character...Oh yes she is....So we decided to make an owl costume for her to wear. Can't wait.
 
Okay, so back on what I was talking about. Oh yeah....Nature walks in our neighborhood. We collected some sweet things to decorate in our home for Fall...So we came up with this little darling floral arrangement using the nature finds we gathered from our walk... in a tea cup
 ( which my Gramma gave me the set)
I love this set. Isn't it just adorable? 
I really love how something like nature finds can be so simple, yet beautiful in a little vignette.
 It just looks so charming and warm. Well, I am off...I have some preparing to do for our Literary Tea on Saturday.... We just love our tea and books. Hope you all have a lovely weekend ahead.