This morning I decided to hit the trail early. I left at 7 AM.
I hiked out of the trail and up the hill, making my way in the wilderness, looking for interesting wild life. I found it. I highly recommend you take a look at these pictures in the posted order and read the descriptions.
This was my first candidate for a portrait that morning: a young male California quail.
Then, as I hiked up toward the top of the hill I came up to this large boulder with this big crack. Something seemed odd at the bottom of the crack, so I got closer...
And this is what I saw. I was puzzled as it didn't seem like anything I have ever seen before in the wild. So, I got even closer...
Wow!! I said. It's a bee colony, and a very active one at that!
I was shocked, but I quickly decided to take a few pictures, making sure to not get too close and make no quick motions.
The final close-up. I will go back and film this one of these days.
As I left the bees I came across these pretty flowers. Thought they were worth a shot. No idea what they are. Feel free to provide your insight.
Then, since I had a great sequence with the bees I thought perhaps I should head back home. I paused for a moment to rest, and lo and behold as I looked to my left this humming bird comes and lands on a bush so close to me. There goes the camera... click click click
I felt like he was posing for me.
Am I pretty or what??
These very small flowers caught my attention as well. What do you think? Were they worth it?