Breeding season

After skipping almost a week, I returned to the wetlands yesterday and discovered a lot of love in the air.  The Great Blue Herons were busy building nests.  I never associated herons and palm trees before but there are about 15 palm trees in a fenced in area.  Every tree I could get close to had a pair of herons.

There are a couple of trees that are close enough that I will be able to follow and document the progress of the new families.  What a nice benefit to add to the many others of a daily walk in the wetlands.

There is also a pair of nesting American Kestrels but I have not been able to figure out where the nest is.  For the past couple of weeks the kestrel in the following picture has been sitting on the top of that yucca tree.

I can't wait until I have a dog to share my hikes with.  Of the six dogs I passed yesterday, three were black labs.  Coincidence?  Here are a few more pictures:

And finally, a Coral Tree in mid-bloom.  This tree, and about 20 more like it, line the entry road to the housing development adjacent to the wetlands.  The homes start at $1,380,000.00 but the ones on the cliffs that overlook the wetlands and the Pacific Ocean beyond go for almost $3,000,000.00.

A traveling companion!

For the past few weeks I have been thinking about a traveling companion.  Several readers recommended a dog as the perfect traveling companion.  I don't make decisions easily; especially ones that require a long term commitment.  I decided it may be time to take the plunge so I started looking at pet adoption sites and also checking out craigslist.org in search of the right dog for me.

Sunday I came across the following ad: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/2343494672.html

I made a decision, that even though Charger was a little larger dog than I thought appropriate for Dod's small size, I could not let this beautiful dog be put down!  It felt good to have finally made the decision.  I called the animal shelter and learned that Charger had been adopted just a few hours before I called.  Good for him!

There are hundreds of other dogs facing the same fate Charger was so I will continue my search and even plan on visiting the local shelter.  I am hesitant about the shelter visit because I am such a softy.  The first dog to lick my hand will probably be starting a life long relationship.

Wondering about wandering

The only thing that has bothered me about my decision to RV in Mexico fulltime has been companionship.  I love sharing things with others.   Cooking, hiking, restaurants, walks on beaches - almost everything seems more enjoyable with the right companion.

I average one new relationship each year.  Each one seems magical at first.   The important things for me are the things you cannot experience alone.  Conversation over dinner, holding hands on the walk to the car after dinner, the first kiss, a walk on the beach where each "accidental" touch makes your spine tingle, someone who cares enough to share your daily successes and failures.

Okay, I am definitely a romantic!  "Sleepless in Seattle", "Serendipity", "Sabrina", "The American President", "Return to Me", "You've Got Mail", "Must Love Dogs", "50 First Dates".  These are just a few of the "chick" flicks in my library.  Even my action type DVDs have romance included:  "The Count of Monte Cristo", "The Thomas Crown Affair", "Out of Africa", "Medicine Man".

Wow!  I think I learn a lot about myself by posting.  Maybe too much.

Yes, I was alone when I took this picture!

I have to close for now.  I am going to the local humane society to look for a pet to adopt!