Coots

Coot season is in full swing! The park abounds with black shmoo-shaped birds with white faces and funny feet.

©Dan Dzurisin: Spooked American Coots

They are always alert to feeding opportunities, and bring all their friends along if they think you might have food to offer. I always explain that I don't feed people, but there are so many of them that there are always a few who haven't heard the news and... hope springs eternal!

Clouds

"It never rains in Southern California." When I moved here, I didn't realize that this also means that there are rarely any clouds in Southern California. So when we get a nice cloudy day, we appreciate it. This past weekend, it rained, so there were some lovely clouds to look at as we walked along the Santa Ana River Trail.