The Coconut Palm

California Nights

2010-09-29T12:56:00.001-07:00

California Nights, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

I'm back in Southern California.

Last night I spotted clouds in the west, and rushed to Shell Beach to catch the sunset. It was a beautiful evening, 70 degrees with amazing colors in the sky.

Painting with Light in Lake Tahoe

2010-08-07T00:16:00.001-07:00

Tahoe, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

I was standing in the water when I took this picture.

With my phone on maximum brightness, I painted the word "Tahoe" in air during a 30-second exposure with my camera. This is the end result...and the best one out of at least a dozen attempts!

Pacific Valley - Big Sur

2010-08-06T23:52:00.001-07:00

Pacific Valley, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Back in May I was offered the opportunity to stay at a private ranch in Big Sur overlooking the ocean. I jumped at the chance, and spent a weekend in early June in the southern section of Big Sur. Got this photo at a beach in a hamlet called Pacific Valley, several miles south of the ranch where I stayed. It was quite a beautiful place...

The Tree of Swirl

2010-08-03T19:21:00.001-07:00

The Tree of Swirl, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Whoa! This picture must have been Photoshopped, right?! Wrong - it's all done in camera.

This photo actually shows a tree in my backyard. I got it by zooming in while simultaneous spinning the camera. Pretty cool, huh?

Pizza in North Beach

2010-08-03T11:11:00.001-07:00

North Beach, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco is famous for being Italian, and, consequently, having great pizza. I got this tasty pie at Caffé BaoNecci on Green Street - it's certainly one of the best pizza places in the city.

If you remember the movie Mrs. Doubtifre, Caffé BaoNecci is located on the bottom of floor of the building that stood in for Robin Williams' apartment in the film.

Traffic and Fireworks

2010-07-09T09:45:00.001-07:00

Traffic and Fireworks, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Took this a few days ago on the Fourth, of course. We were on an overpass above a busy street...the fireworks were great!

Sunset in Avila

2010-06-02T00:47:00.001-07:00

Sunset in Avila, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Two Fridays ago I was at Avila while the sun was setting. It also happened to the night of a windstorm, and 50-mph gusts were sandblasting me as I took this photo.

Afternoon Sun

2010-06-01T09:27:00.001-07:00

Afternoon Sun, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The wildflower bloom is nearly over here in Southern California. I took this photo back in April on a remote road near Cayucos. The lupines were much thicker than this in some places - we found one patch of the flowers the length of a football field.

Avila Beach

2010-05-23T01:25:00.001-07:00

Avila Beach, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Avila Beach is a small town in the southern part of SLO county. Located at San Luis Bay, the town faces south and thus has a warm microclimate with gentle surf. I was there on Friday night and the town's famous warmth was absent - 40 mph winds were howling through the canyon out to sea, creating waves heading away from shore. Although you can't tell in this photo, I was being pelted with sand.

Chinatown Lights

2010-05-03T01:23:00.001-07:00

Night Lights, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

While exploring the shops in Chinatown, San Francisco, this one stood out due to its huge collection of lights and lanterns.

A Night in the City

2010-05-02T13:22:00.001-07:00

A Night in the City, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A few friends and I drove up from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco for Friday night and Saturday. Most definitely an awesome trip. This is the view last night from Conzelman Road in the Marin Headlands - those lights on the otherwise dark hillside are car headlights.

SLO Town View

2010-04-21T01:43:00.001-07:00

slo town view, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

It was a stormy day in San Luis Obispo, but that meant for dramatic skies. Indeed, sunset proved to be an amazing time, with fast-moving clouds and beautiful shades of pink and orange. The non-native grasses, which can be seen in the foreground, are already drying up, despite all the late-season rains we've been having.

Lupine Explosion

2010-04-19T15:43:00.001-07:00

Lupine Explosion, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

First it was a tidy tip explosion, but a return to Shell Creek Road revealed an explosion of lupines.

Canyon of Color

2010-04-11T11:50:00.001-07:00

Canyon of Color, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

I returned to Shell Creek Road again yesterday, the third time in several weeks. The wildflowers were still as beautiful as ever. My friend and I did some hiking up into the hills and found a small canyon whose floor was carpeted in these lupines, goldfields, and tidy tips.

The goldfields are going downhill in terms of bloom, but the lupines and tidy tips are still at their peak! With the upcoming storm, the wildflower bloom should be prolonged a week or two.

Los Padres View

2010-04-10T00:28:00.003-07:00

Los Padres View, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A view into Los Padres National Forest and Grass Mountain, seen from Figueroa Mountain. Poppies and goldfields are in the foreground, while vast sheets of lupine carpet the distant hills.

Shooting Star Road

2010-04-08T23:57:00.001-07:00

One Out of Many, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

As we drove down Highway 58, a dirt path leading off to some ranches caught my eye because of its unusual name: Shooting Star Road. On the way back from Shell Creek, we stopped at this road and saw spectacular masses of goldfields with scattered sky lupines mixed in. No shooting stars, but definitely gold.

Cal Poly Poppies

2010-04-07T11:54:00.001-07:00

Cal Poly Poppies, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The California poppies are in full bloom on top of the Cal Poly "P" ridge. The "P" is a large monument-like letter engraved in the hillside above the Cal Poly campus. The ridge above the "P" is covered in wildflowers right now.

Technicolor Fields

2010-04-07T01:19:00.001-07:00

Technicolor Fields, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Multicolored carpets at Shell Creek Road...the species you see here include goldfields and owl's clover.

Tipped Off

2010-04-06T01:26:00.001-07:00

Tipped Off, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A tidy tip among owl's clover at Shell Creek Road.

Shell Creek Oak

2010-04-05T10:30:00.001-07:00

Shell Creek Oak, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The oaks are just starting to leaf out at Shell Creek Road. The wildflowers, however, are at peak bloom. Wildflowers in this view include tidy tips and goldfields.

Tidy Tips for Easter

2010-04-04T13:10:00.001-07:00

Tidy Tip Explosion, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Happy Easter everyone!

Yesterday I was at Shell Creek Road in remote San Luis Obispo county. The wildflowers were at peak bloom, with Easter pastels and vivid oranges covered in the color scheme. The tidy tips were the major bloomers, with incredible sheets of the flowers stretching across the valley.

Dessert at Farmers'

2010-04-02T00:03:00.001-07:00

Dessert at Farmers', originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market is much more than just a place to buy fruits and vegetables. You can get culinary delights such as tri-tip sandwiches and teriyaki bowls to churros and strawberry shortcakes like the ones seen in this picture.

Sky Lupine

2010-04-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Sky Lupine, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This is the fragrant sky lupine, lupinus nanus. It grows in exposed fields and on hillsides all over California. If you drive through the Santa Ynez Valley right now you will see hillsides covered in sky lupine. These blooms were on Figueroa Mountain, just outside of Los Olivos.

A Slo Afternoon

2010-04-01T00:20:00.001-07:00

A Slo Afternoon, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Cerro San Luis is a special place. Uncrowded and varied in environs, it's an awesome mountain to climb. The view from the top is spectacular - the morros of SLO county line up and stretch all the way to the Pacific.

Spring Light

2010-03-31T13:17:00.001-07:00

Del Amigo Light, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Sunlight shining through the branches of a black oak on the Del Amigo trail in Las Trampas.

A Spring Day in Danville

2010-03-28T10:16:00.001-07:00

A Spring Day in Danville, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A blue oak coming into leaf in Las Trampas Regional Park. It's hard to believe that in a few shorts months the green hills will be dry and golden.

Gold Field

2010-03-28T10:10:00.001-07:00

Goldfields, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

More goldfields along Mines Road south of Livermore. These flowers literally carpet the ground and in many places are the only plant growing.

Cream Cups at Shell Creek Road

2010-03-27T18:12:00.001-07:00

Cream Cups at Shell Creek Road, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Cream cups wildflowers not usually seen in massive displays. The fields at Shell Creek Road, however, were very different. Blanketing the ground were millions of these cream cups, which are poppy relatives. Spring in California can really be incredible.

Color on Figueroa

2010-03-26T11:34:00.001-07:00

Color on Figueroa, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Figueroa Mountain has got to be one of the most colorful mountains I've seen. The wildflower displays near the summit are incredible. I recommend you visit if you're ever in the area!

Santa Maria Grown

2010-03-25T00:07:00.001-07:00

Santa Maria Grown, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Strawberries at the SLO Farmers' Market on Thursday night. Some of the produce they sell is amazing...really good stuff!

Las Trampas Morning

2010-03-24T21:13:00.001-07:00

Las Trampas Morning, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This seems to be the spring for goldfields in California. They're everywhere. I found this pool of the flowers up in a remote part of Las Trampas Wilderness. How is spring coming along in your area?

Fields of Figueroa Mountain

2010-03-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

Fields of Figueroa Mountain, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's a wide-angle view of some of the flowering hillsides on Figueroa Mountain near Santa Barbara. What an incredible place...unbelievably colorful!

Giant Oaks in Los Osos

2010-03-21T01:48:00.001-07:00

Los Osos Forest, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's a view from within the forest at Los Osos Oaks State Reserve. What a cool park - the trees (coast live oaks) are huge and ancient, while nearby lies pygmy forest and chaparral. Some of the oaks were over 250 years old, and it's great to see they have been preserved so well.

Figueroa Flowers

2010-03-20T02:14:00.001-07:00

Figueroa Flowers, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Sky lupine and California poppies mixed together on a steep slope of Figueroa Mountain. This mountain is truly incredible - the displays of wildflowers were awe-inspiring.

Goldfields on Figueroa

2010-03-20T02:13:00.001-07:00

Goldfields on Figueroa, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here are some goldfields up on the slopes of Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara County. The mountain is spectacular, with beautiful displays of wildflowers.

Shell Creek Blue

2010-03-18T21:02:00.001-07:00

Shell Creek Blue, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Baby blue eyes carpet the ground at Shell Creek Road. The displays are very impressive this year, and, of course, spectacular.

Shell Creek View

2010-03-18T00:02:00.001-07:00

Shell Creek View, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The wildflowers at Shell Creek are starting to bloom...I hiked up this hillside of poppies to get a better view. Amazing color out there yesterday!

California Cream Cups

2010-03-17T23:51:00.001-07:00

California Cream Cups, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Earlier today a friend and I went out to Highway 58 and drove east towards the Carrizo Plains. On the way there, we stopped at Shell Creek Road, a famous wildflower location, where we saw vast fields of millions of these cream cups. I have never seen such massive displays of the cream cups, even at places like Bear Valley.

Spring is just getting started here in California - the wildflowers will put on quite a show in the coming weeks.

Pismo Beach

2010-03-17T07:20:00.001-07:00

Pismo Beach, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Last night I watched the sunset over Pismo Beach, a community on California's Central Coast about 10 minutes away from San Luis Obispo. With offshore winds, the temperature was in the 70s even as the sun was setting, making for a great evening. Spring is here in California, what about your part of the world?

Longleaf Bush Lupine

2010-03-01T20:29:00.001-08:00

Longleaf Bush Lupine, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Lupinus longifolius growing on the mountain above the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo.

Poppy Leaf Dew

2010-02-28T18:31:00.001-08:00

Poppy Leaf, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Dew drops on a California poppy leaf up on Yucca Ridge.

Sunrise Over Cuesta

2010-02-28T10:12:00.001-08:00

Cuesta Sunrise, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Twelve hours after the sunset hike yesterday, I was up on the ridge again, but this time for sunrise. The sunrise wasn't as dramatic as the sunset as there were no clouds to catch the light...hopefully they'll be there next time!

Sunset Over Cuesta

2010-02-28T00:31:00.001-08:00

Sunset Over Cuesta, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

When I was on this ridge Friday night, clouds were just starting to drop rain. A storm and 24 hours later, I was on the same ridge, but the clouds were moving to the East, leaving behind a beautiful sky.

Violets

2010-02-27T18:47:00.001-08:00

Violets, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

They're violets, but they're yellow. In full bloom on Yucca Ridge behind Cal Poly. Close examination of the ridge-top revealed that there are millions of things getting ready to bloom in the coming weeks.

Approaching Rain

2010-02-27T01:19:00.001-08:00

Approaching Rain, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

It's been a very wet winter here on California's Central Coast. With over 17 inches of rain so far, we're at more than twice the amount of rain we had at the same time last year. As a result, the hills are incredibly green, the reservoirs are filling, and the Sierras are buried in snow. This is great news considering the state has been in a drought for the past few years.

A band of rain just behind Bishop Peak is visible in this photo. About 60 seconds after this photo, another rain band from the south drenched me by surprise.

Mission Bells

2010-02-25T13:21:00.001-08:00

Misty Mission Bells, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

On a hike yesterday I spotted these mission bells in full bloom. They're really an interesting species, unlike anything else that grows nearby in the grassy oak woodlands.

Spring is here in San Luis Obispo, but what about your part of the world?

Clover in Poly Canyon

2010-02-24T02:10:00.001-08:00

Clover in Poly Canyon, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

With all the rain we've had this season, the hills are especially lush. I found a big patch of clover down near Brizzolara Creek which made for an interesting photo study.

Spring is coming into bloom here in SLO; be on the lookout for pictures of what is looking to be a great year for wildflowers.

Bishop Again

2010-02-19T13:42:00.001-08:00

Bishop Again, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's a view up the trail on Bishop Peak taken a few weeks ago during a period of stormy weather. The mountain's chaparral is getting nice and green.

UCLA Dance Marathon

2010-02-18T01:37:00.001-08:00

UCLA Dance Marathon, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This weekend I was one of over 800 people to partake in Dance Marathon at UCLA. We danced for 26 hours nonstop, no sitting down allowed. The purpose of Dance Marathon is to raise money to fight pediatric AIDS...in the end we raised $407,223.73!

At DM, we heard from children afflicted with HIV/AIDS and heard their stories - it's amazing that those kids contend as well as they do. They are incredibly strong. In addition to the kids, numerous celebrities and dancers appeared to boost the morale. The last hour of DM, known as "Power Hour" was a massive rave-like dance party that filled the Ackerman Ballroom with energy. Sitting down at the end of the 26 hours seemed like the best thing in the world.

For this picture, I set up my camera on a raised dancing box and took a long exposure.

Passing Clouds on Bishop Peak

2010-02-08T00:49:00.001-08:00

A Cloud Drifts By, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The Sun was setting as I hiked down Bishop Peak on Saturday, and the fast-moving storm clouds lit up in bright colors for a few short minutes before twilight began. A long exposure shows some of the motion in these clouds. Those boulders are the summit rocks of Bishop Peak, and the true summit is inaccessible without climbing gear.

February Wildflower

2010-02-07T00:06:00.001-08:00

Shooting Star, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

It may only be February, but here on the Central Coast it appears that February means spring. While hiking on Bishop's Peak yesterday, I noticed some brightly-colored shooting stars already in bloom. With the on-and-off rain, everything was covered in water, which made for some great macro opportunities.

Also, the live oak forests at the base of the peak, normally dry and dusty, were lush and green today with dripping water and fresh plant growth. Winter in California is wonderful.

Bishop's from Cerro San Luis

2010-02-02T10:50:00.001-08:00

Bishop's from Cerro San Luis, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

After a week of drenching rain back in January, the hills are greening up quickly. In this view, you can see Bishop Peak in the distance with the slopes of Cerro San Luis in the foreground. On my recent hike at Cerro, I saw that every gully and creek was flowing and that the wildflowers are already starting to bloom.

It's gonna be a great spring.

Coast Live Oak

2010-02-01T20:19:00.001-08:00

Coast Live Oak, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's an example of the coast live oak, a rustic and beautiful California tree. This one, in the hills above Cal Poly, marked the beginning of a small grove of the trees. You can find them all over the California coast ranges.

The View from Cerro San Luis

2010-01-31T09:36:00.001-08:00

Summit View, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Most SLO residents flock to Bishop Peak, the mountain you can see in the distance in this photo. Few, however, make the trek to the top of Cerro San Luis, a prominent peak with a large "M" on it's southeastern side (the "M" stands for Mission High School).

Cerro San Luis has absolutely stunning views from the top: Morro Bay, Los Osos Valley, the Irish Hills, San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly, Edna Valley, Pismo Beach, and even the Santa Ynez Mountains 70 miles to the south.

With the recent torrential rains, every creek and gully on the mountain was flowing, and some of the fern-covered rock walls were dripping with water. Also, early spring wildflowers are starting to bloom, with species such as johnny jump-ups and California poppies.

Cal Poly Nights

2010-01-30T12:17:00.001-08:00

Cal Poly Nights, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Night settles in over San Luis Obispo, California.

Early Spring

2010-01-29T10:44:00.001-08:00

Early Spring, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The johnny jump-ups are starting to bloom on the Central Coast of California. With abundant rainfall and mild temperatures, it's looking to be a great spring for wildflowers. Winter's not even over yet and we've had at least 17 inches of rain in San Luis Obispo.

Gravity - Caught in the Act

2010-01-27T02:30:00.001-08:00

Gravity - Caught in the Act, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

For years I have wanted to capture the parabolas the show up when a ball bounces to the ground. With a 39-cent light-up bouncy ball I was able to do just that.

A Break in the Storm

2010-01-24T12:36:00.001-08:00

Light on Cal Poly, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Storms pounded California all last week, and the wild weather made for wild photography conditions. In a break between storms, the Sun kept poking through the clouds over San Luis Obispo. I got this photo after 80-mph winds blew over my camera and nearly smashed the lens...thank goodness for lens caps!

How's the weather in your part of the country?

Poly Canyon Cascade

2010-01-24T01:05:00.001-08:00

Poly Canyon Cascade, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Brizzolara Creek is flowing like never before today because of the 6 inches of rain we got this week. The soil was already wet when it started to rain on Monday, so the additional precipitation quickly filled up the creeks.

In the summer, Brizzolara Creek is little more than a few muddy puddles at the bottom of a ravine, but today it flows swift and fresh. This waterfall is located just before the Cal Poly barn.

Winter Morning

2009-12-30T14:40:00.001-08:00

Winter Morning, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Dew in the winter morning sun in Alamo, California. There are certain mornings that just seem to be prone to this kind of photography, and this time of the year is filled with those mornings.

Columbus and Kearny, San Francisco

2009-12-23T00:29:00.001-08:00

Columbus and Kearny, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Recognize this view? If you do, that's because it's on many a San Francisco postcard. My friend and I ate at a Thai restaurant nearby and inadvertently walked into one of San Francisco's most famous intersections, which highlights both old and new architecture.

Sparks Will Fly

2009-12-22T00:06:00.001-08:00

Sparks Will Fly, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

As part of a photographic experiment in long exposures, earlier tonight I launched a small shovelful of glowing bonfire embers into the air and onto a very wet, rain-soaked lawn. The end result showed the embers leaving parabolic trails in the air, quite an interesting study of math in nature.

Although, I would hardly call hurling embers a natural occurrence.

Don't worry - the rain was coming down all night and I had the hose handy...no houses burned down in the making of this picture.

Wall Point Ridge

2009-12-21T22:47:00.001-08:00

Wall Point Ridge, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The view west from the Wall Point Trail in Mt. Diablo State Park. Look closely on the left and you can see the house of PeopleSoft founder David Duffield. When complete, his house will be one of the largest in the world.

Approaching Storm

2009-12-21T00:15:00.001-08:00

A Storm Approaches, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

While out hiking on Mt. Diablo, we could see dark storm clouds coming in from the north. Eventually they began to block out the Sun, but not without creating a beautiful sky. The lighting quickly became ethereal and ominous.

Anyone else have interesting weather these days?

Sunset from Diablo

2009-12-20T20:17:00.001-08:00

Sunset from Diablo, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

With clouds in the western sky, yesterday's sunset was beautiful. I was hiking in Diablo Foothills Regional Park when the sky lit up with beautiful shades of orange and pink. This area is home to the amazing China Wall rock formation, which stretches across two large hills. Rock outcroppings such as the one in this photo are common in the park.

California Rainforest

2009-12-13T20:00:00.001-08:00

California Rainforest, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

When the rainy season comes to California, the hills certainly do get lush and green.

I found this fern grotto off-trail in Diablo Foothills Regional Park. The ferns cascaded down a steep wall and over boulders, covering a height of at least 30 feet. With rain dripping from the trees overhead and mist filling the air, the mood was straight out of prehistory.

Interestingly enough, only a few hundred yards away was a large swath of rocky chaparral...quite the contrast to the verdant ferns.

Morning Sun, Post Rain

2009-12-03T02:26:00.001-08:00

Morning Sun, Post Rain, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Water droplets on fresh winter grass in Alamo, California. This was taken on my first visit to the Bay Area since September.

Gratin Dauphinois

2009-11-22T12:59:00.001-08:00

Gratin Dauphinois, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A specialty from the Dauphiné region of France. This savory treat consists of thinly-sliced potatoes layered with garlic, herbs, and Gruyère cheese in a dish filled with milk. The dish is then baked for at least an hour, or until the potatoes come out tender and delicious.

Serve with a succulent roasted chicken on a cold winter night.

Agave

2009-10-22T22:01:00.001-07:00

Agave, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Agave attenuata in the gardens of the Mission. This is one of the "safest" agaves to plant, as the leaves are much less rigid than those of other agaves...meaning the injury factor is reduced.

Trail to the Sun

2009-10-21T15:36:00.001-07:00

Trail to the Sun, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Waiting for sunset on Poly Mountain in San Luis Obispo, California. The other shots I took were marred by pesky dust particles...time to clean the sensor.

The hills appear to be brown in the photo, but close examination of the earth along the trail revealed thousands of tiny seedlings coming up due to the 7.5 inches of rain we received the other day.

Green

2009-10-20T01:17:00.001-07:00

banana leaf, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Looking up underneath a banana leaf at Mission San Luis Obispo.

Hibiscus Up Close

2009-10-19T00:46:00.001-07:00

Fall Colors, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's the stamen of a hibiscus flower at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The colors on these flowers are incredible...gold pollen against a rich pink stamen and rosy white petals.

Anyone have experience with tropical hibiscus plants?

Creepin'

2009-10-18T01:08:00.001-07:00

Creepin', originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Saturday night I was hiking up Poly Mountain and a large, slow-moving creature next to the trail caught my eye. Upon looking closer I saw that it was a tarantula.

This is the time of the year when the tarantulas are out and about in the hills. Some places, like Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area, are famous for the large numbers of the arachnids that creep through the dry grasses in search of mates...and prey.

Raspberries

2009-10-17T12:46:00.001-07:00

Raspberries, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Berries for sale at the SLO Farmers' Market.

SLO Farmers' Market

2009-10-17T02:39:00.001-07:00

SLO Farmers' Market, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

McClintock's Barbecue serves up succulent tri-tip sandwiches to a long line of hungry customers at the popular San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market.

Every Thursday, 3 blocks of Higuera Street close down and are converted into this farmers' market-street fair. It's worth a visit if you're in SLO!

Farmers' Market Harvest

2009-10-16T00:57:00.001-07:00

Harvest for Sale, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

San Luis Obispo is home to one of the most famous farmers' markets in California.

Earlier tonight I found out why.

The market definitely lives up to its reputation. There are a decent number of produce vendors along with many food stands, barbecue joints, kettle corn sellers, and candy makers. If that's not enough there street performers, clubs and organizations, and live music.

If you're ever in SLO on a Thursday night, try to stop by the farmers' market - it's a great experience.

A Creek Flows Again...

2009-10-14T19:52:00.001-07:00

Brizzolara Creek , originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

In California, October is usually a dry month with little in the way of rain.

That was not the case with this October.

Yesterday a powerful storm came through the area and dumped 4-7 inches of rain, bringing the creeks back to life. Mining Ridge in Monterey County was drenched with an incredible 21 inches of rain in 24 hours!

This is Brizzolara Creek in the rugged Poly Canyon near San Luis Obispo. Two days ago there was no water at this spot - as you can see that is no longer the case!

First Storm of the Season

2009-10-13T13:04:00.001-07:00

Today California is being hit by the first storm of the season. After five months without rain, the wet season has finally begun. The powerful storm impacting the state today has the potential to drop up to eight inches of rain in spots. Here in San Luis Obispo, the rain is falling in drenching, wind-blown sheets.

The photos here show colorful poison oak leaves in Poly Canyon and the now-flowing Brizzolara Creek.

Bishop Peak

2009-10-11T19:44:00.001-07:00

On Edge, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Today my friend and I climbed Bishop Peak, a rugged volcanic mountain that dominates much of the view from San Luis Obispo. The peak rises more than 1,300 feet above the surrounding town and offers impressive views of the region.

Here's a picture taken from a precipice near the summit. The mountain in the distance is Cerro San Luis, and you can see SLO at its base.

Wildlife was abundant on the peak - at least six vultures were resting on summit boulders, and of course lizards were everywhere. There were also plenty of places that mountain lions could call home...

The End of Summer

2009-10-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

The end of summer is upon us here in California...

Remnants of a typhoon from Japan are being pulled across the Pacific Ocean and are forecast to hit California early to mid-next week. Right now the ground is extremely dry, as this state hasn't seen significant rain in five months.

That's about to change.

The National Weather Service is saying that this potentially record-breaking storm is going to dump up to 8-10 inches of rain in places. El Nino was predicted for this year, and it looks like that's what we're gonna get!

Any exciting weather in your part of the world?

Mission Hibiscus

2009-10-07T03:37:00.001-07:00

Mission Hibiscus, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Autumn may officially be here, but the hibiscus plants in central California don't know that. These hibiscus flowers were outside of the old mission in San Luis Obispo. Over by the veterans hall there are hibiscus bushes about 10 feet wide and at least five feet tall...giant.

San Luis Obispo at Night

2009-10-06T00:05:00.001-07:00

San Luis Obispo at Night, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's a view of the Cal Poly campus and San Luis Obispo at night (well, during the last minutes of twilight). The view was stunning from the top of Caballo Peak, which borders Cal Poly-owned land.

If you've never visited San Luis Obispo, I highly recommend you do so. SLO is great, with an excellent downtown and cool shops and restaurants. Also, the town is surrounded by statuesque mountains and the ocean is only 15 minutes away.

Clouds Over Canyon

2009-10-05T00:30:00.001-07:00

Clouds Over Canyon, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

About 45 minutes after sunset the clouds parted a bit, allowing crepuscular sun rays to penetrate. It was a beautiful morning in San Luis Obispo, but a cold and windy one!

Poly Mountain Sunrise

2009-10-04T09:37:00.001-07:00

Poly Mountain Sunrise, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

I woke up at 5:50 this morning to go on a sunrise hike. It was definitely a great sunrise - clouds rolled in which captured the light of Sun. With the clouds came wind, and with the wind came cold. It's starting to feel like fall here in San Luis Obispo - what about in your area?

Feather River Snake

2009-09-30T01:59:00.001-07:00

Feather River Snake, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's a small snake we found on a hike along the Feather River near Lake Oroville. The lake was very low - the area where we were hiking would normally have been submerged. Anyone know what type of snake this is?

Absorption-Method Pasta

2009-09-29T13:20:00.001-07:00

Absorption-Method Pasta, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Cooking pasta by the absorption method means cooking it directly in a sauce instead of boiling it in water. The end result is a silky, flavorful, rich pasta that doesn't have the rubbery bounce of normal pasta.

This is a great meal to make if you're in need of something cheap and truly delicious...it's only a jar of pasta sauce and a box of penne. Awesome.

Sunset Over SLO

2009-09-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

Sunset Over SLO, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Yesterday's sunset from the top of Poly Mountain in San Luis Obispo, California. There were actually a few clouds, which made things a bit more interesting than usual.

The plant in the foreground is "out lord's candle", Yucca whipplei. The yuccas grow in abundance on the mountain, and the sharp leaves can be a pain for hikers' legs.

College Cooking - Thomas Keller Oreos

2009-09-22T14:34:00.001-07:00

TKO's - Thomas Keller Oreos, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

College has started, and I was lucky enough to get a dorm with a kitchen. My friend and I decided that the inaugural dish would be something sweet - homemade Oreos (TKO's) it was!

TKO's are incredibly good, with rich white chocolate ganache sandwiched between two chocolaty, sweet and slightly salty cookies. The flavors are divine. The recipe can be found under the February 28, 2009 post on this blog.

Finally, Some Clouds

2009-08-18T11:55:00.001-07:00

Finally, Some Clouds, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Clouds are a rarity for most of California during the summer. The climate just doesn't allow them to form...

...which is why I was excited to see a few cirrus cloud catching the light of the sunset the other day. The sky was beautiful, with much more color than usual. To all you Midwesterners and East Coasters, us Californians envy your clouds!

Parson Jones

2009-07-27T23:32:00.001-07:00

Parson Jones, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Redwoods are tall trees. Really tall trees. Sometimes so incredibly tall that they dwarf anything nearby...including other redwoods.

This tree is named Parson Jones, and is found in Armstrong Redwoods State Park. At 310 feet tall, it's one of the biggest trees in the area...truly an amazing sight!

Suspended World

2009-07-22T12:36:00.001-07:00

Suspended World, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Taken back when the grass was green and the rain was falling. There will be no rain here for at least 2 more months, probably 3 months. Fortunately for California, the National Weather Service is predicting El Niño for the coming winter, which means above-average rainfall!

Blueberries

2009-07-22T00:16:00.001-07:00

the berries that are blue, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Across the country, farmers' markets are in full swing. These berries were a local market and looked incredibly good. Raspberries at the market were cheap, as well as tomatoes and pretty much all the vegetables. My best find was Fresno chile peppers, which are used in Indonesian cooking - score!

Foothill Sunset

2009-07-17T17:23:00.001-07:00

Foothill Sunset, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The hills are golden this time of the year, and while that means the wildflowers are gone too, it doesn't mean there are no scenes left to photograph.

The hills turn an ethereal pink just after the Sun sets behind the mountains. This photo shows the Sun about 30 seconds before it disappeared into the coastal hills.

Thai Spring Rolls

2009-07-11T15:06:00.001-07:00

Thai Spring Rolls, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

These tasty Thai spring rolls are easy to make and don't require any super-exotic ingredients. Filled with clear noodles, pork, cilantro, pepper, and carrot, they're an explosively flavorful snack that will be sure to please.

Thai Spring Rolls (Po Pia Thot)

- 1 frozen package of spring roll wrappers (8” × 8”)
- 1 lb lean ground pork
- 2 small packages of mung bean thread noodles (4 oz.)
- 2-3 cups shredded fresh carrots
- 4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- few drops of sesame oil
- fresh ground pepper
- vegetable or canola oil for frying
- fresh chili paste (optional)
- 2-3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and fresh ground pepper. Soak or boil the mung bean noodles until tender and cut them into shorter pieces. Add the noodles, carrots, garlic, ground pork, sesame oil, optional chili paste and cilantro to the bowl. Mix the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.

Peel the spring roll wrappers and store them under a damp cloth towel until use. Take about 2 tablespoons of the stuffing and place in each wrapper. Roll the wrappers up and seal them with a few drops of water.

Fry the spring rolls in vegetable oil on medium heat until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Serve with a sweet and sour sauce, such as nuoc mam.

Recipe adapted from:

Thai Food Tonight

(http://www.thaifoodtonight.com/thaifoodtonight/home.htm)

The Cave

2009-07-09T00:47:00.001-07:00

The Cave, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A cool hidden cave in Las Trampas. It is only accessible if you hike off-trail. Many such caves dot the area, as the common sandstone outcroppings are easily weathered. Some of the largest caves to be found are in Diablo Foothills Regional Park...they are home to owls, hawks, and falcons.

Golden Grass

2009-07-08T15:19:00.001-07:00

Golden Grass, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The unusual thing about California is that the state turns green in the winter and become golden in the summer. Well, it would seem unusual to anyone from out of state, but we don't have summer rain that the rest of the nation enjoys. There's been no heavy rain since early April, and there won't be any storms on the horizon again until October.

Most of the grasses that become golden in the summer are actually not from California, but instead originated in Europe. Seeds of these grasses were transported to the state with early Spanish colonists. The result is the popular conception of "the golden hills of California".

July Sun

2009-07-07T12:03:00.001-07:00

July Sun, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

The sunrise above Mt. Diablo yesterday. It was absolutely freezing out, with thick fog only 1 ridge top away from us. Still, it was a beautiful morning!

Forest Foxglove

2009-06-24T23:54:00.001-07:00

Forest Foxglove, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Colorful foxgloves along the Stream Trail in Redwood Regional Park near Moraga, California. It's unusual to see things blooming in the hills this late in the year, but the redwood environment traps moisture...and the foxgloves are the result.

Diablo Oak

2009-05-21T23:58:00.001-07:00

Diablo Oak, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This stately oak is located at some picnic tables in Diablo Foothills Regional Park. The park does not have much of a reputation...

...but what an amazing park it is! Huge rock formations, hundreds of feet tall, jut from the Earth and support owls and raptor nests. Pine Creek fills the canyon with the smell of water and carpets of California poppies bloom upstream.

It's like a paradise that has been forgotten...a Shangri-La of the Bay Area sort.

Satay Ayam Kuning - Yellow Chicken Satay

2009-05-14T20:09:00.001-07:00

Satay Ayam Kuning - Yellow Chicken Satay, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

In the past few weeks I've been experimenting with cooking Indonesian food. Not well known in the United States, the cuisine is flavorful and exotic, with easy-to-make dishes.

These succulent chicken satay skewers, marinated in turmeric, cumin, coriander, tamarind juice, and a pinch of chili, are tasty and fun to make. Serve them with peanut sauce.

Satay Ayam Kuning (Yellow Chicken Satay)

Taken from Agnes de Keijzer Brackman's Cook Indonesian.

- 2 chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- pinch of cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tamarind juice

Cut chicken into bite-size portions. Thread on bamboo sticks or meat skewers. Set aside.
Heat oil in saucepan and add coriander, cumin, turmeric, salt and tamarind juice.
Using a soft-tufted cake brush, paint chicken thoroughly with the mixture.
Cook meat over charcoal until well done.

Saus Kacang Pedes (Hot Peanut Sauce)

Taken from Agnes de Keijzer Brackman's Cook Indonesian.

- 1 medium onion, sliced finely
- 1 clove garlic, sliced finely
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons sambal ulek
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamarind juice
- sliver of shrimp paste
- ½ teaspoon salt

Sauté onion and garlic in margarine until deep brown. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
Add peanut butter and ½ cup water to saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and stir to a paste consistency.
Add sambal ulek, brown sugar, soy sauce, tamarind juice, shrimp paste and salt, and mix well.
Now add onion and garlic and stir gently. Serve lukewarm or cool.
Note: For a different variation, leave out onion.