California Seal King of the Hill

These two male seals were going at it for all of the 15 minutes that I stood and watched and I have no reason to doubt that they are still going at it a week or so later. They were totally into a 'king of the hill" fight with only one of them going to be able to stay on this island. The fact that their were plenty of other islands available didn't matter. These two wanted this one and no other. The three watchers at the end of the island are sea lions so the seals were not fighting over women--or at least those women. Quite entertaining.

Best Friends Sleepover

Always fun to get your best friends to sleepover, especially when it is a little cool outside. I remember when the neighborhood kids would come over to sleep over with our kids. Never got quite this close, as this is a close group, but they always had fun. Hopefully, no one snores. Taken near Children's Beach in La Jolla.

Sometimes you feel like this.....

I can't tell for sure if seals actually smile to show emotion, but if so, I know exactly how this seal feels. Sometimes, you just want to lay around, feel fat and smile. This shot is from a recent trip to La Jolla at the Children's Beach, which really should be called Seal Beach. You are lucky you can't smell the beach when you look at this shot. Quite the smell, let me tell you.

Downey Woodpecker's Meet Cute in my yard

A male Downey Woodpecker prepares a home for a mate.....

....he stands tall to advertise his wares.

A female Downey stops by to investigate. 

 The location seems to meet with her approval.

Perhaps we will get baby Downey's soon? 

My one and only shot last night

This is it. My one and only shot from Nina and Drew's wedding last night. I decided to let the photographers shoot the wedding but they were gone late in the evening when Nina and Drew signed the marriage certificate along with Drew's brother, Matt, who fulfilled the role of the officiant. So, I got this one shot with my cell phone. Matt did such a fantastic job delivering the wedding ceremony and all of the family and friends that participated in the ceremony with readings and toasts later were just great. The Holzfeind family is a tough act to follow. Nina and Drew designed a ceremony that really reflected who they are as a couple and a family with Lili. So, I don't have any pictures, except this one. Now I am pissed I don't have any pictures. Oh well, everyone says to "be there in the moment". Yea, that's bunk. Be there, sure, but shoot it too. Anyway, a fantastic wedding. Couldn't have been better. Cheryl and I are very fortunate that two of our kids with weddings this year (Jono got married in January) picked such fantastic partners as spouses.

Since I don't have any wedding pictures to show, I do have a video of family pictures from both Drew's family and ours of Nina and Drew growing up. We played this at the rehearsal dinner. For those who are friends and family of Nina and Drew, take a look. (Tthanks for Drew's mom, Margie, for the idea and for sharing these pictures with us. They are a treat and I had a lot of fun putting this video together:)

https://animoto.com/play/07DINYL8bqZ134TJ1KRbfA

Big Weekend for Nina and Drew

Big wedding weekend ahead for Nina and Drew. We love you both and look forward to the celebration of your love.

Naperville, Illinois -- City of Murals

This is the third of the 5 scenes shown on the riverwalk near the Hotel Indigo. Like the first one I posted two days ago, I don't really see a Naperville connection. There are a lot of flags from different countries and we have lots of residents of all countries and ethnicities here in Naperville--but so do most other communities as well. Doesn't really matter. It is a nice scene that shows diversity with lots of color in the scene, which is what I look for anyway!