Butterfly at Botanic Gardens

I've been trying for ages to photograph a butterfly - finally, at the Gardens, this one decided to feast and let me take its picture. I thought it was a Monarch but it seems that the pattern is not of a Monarch.

B is for ... Botanic Garden (ABC Wednesday)

South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes is unusual as it was built on top of a landfill. See more at http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org/gardenhistory.html.
The garden recently "adopted" our 10 foot Redwood, that we grew from a seed (from "garden in a can" bought at Muir Woods) - even better than adopting a highway.

Shades of White

One of the new residential buildings being squeezed in on Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Est. The construction lights were so bright that it only took high ISO to take a fairly crisp night shot.

Art on Monday: Wrapped Up Tower

...Was Christo here? No, but I thought it very artistic. Vincent Thomas bridge connects San Pedro to Terminal Island over the LA Harbor, and is getting some maintenance. ^.^
Some historical photos can be found on: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/BridgeLighting/index.htm.

Update: the kinetic sculptures that Palm Axis spotted in the photo is work of Douglas Hollis: Wind Ensamble, 2004, "Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro. ...30 wind-activated stainless steel elements create sound & motion..."http://www.douglashollis.com/

Corner / Stone

A wall by an office building wall at sunset with flowers. I've followed Virginia's BDP lead & joined the fun http://2thingsphotochallenge.blogspot.com/. Thank you, DC Confidential.

I'll be away for a few days again & will auto-post.

@ the Barbers?

No fire!!! Just the local firemen taking their big engine out for a spin - got to drive it every so often. Their destination is usually Peninsula Center - Pavilions market, Meyer's bakery, or maybe even PV Barbers.

Pacific Coast Hwy Sunset (Sky Watch Friday)

A snapshot while driving home along the north edge of PV - a true urban sunset.

Taming of the Shrew - LA style

Superbly done "LA modern" rendition of the bard's play by Shakespeare Festival/LA, presented in South Coast Botanical Gardens in PV. Scenic Design by Francois-Pierre Couture. More at www.ShakespeareFestivalLA.org

Angling at Hot Creek by Mammoth Lakes

Flyfishing is about being at the right creek ...
casting just right (this one did result in a catch, and release, of a trout) ...and knowing how to tie knots - to secure the fly - to catch the fish!

Shell Gasoline @ Bodie & Mammoth

1927 Dodge Graham at the Shell Gas Station in Bodie State Historic Park. "Gold was discovered by Waterman S. Bodie in 1859. By 1879 Bodie boasted a population of 10,0000 and was second to none for wickedness, badmen, worst climate out of doors and best water on earth. Bodie is a preserved ghost town at an elevation of 8375 feet" (Source: Friends of Bodie water bottle label). Bodie was completely abandoned in 1932 after a second of two major fires destroys all but what is now left in Bodie. The Shell station sign is probably circa 1920's. See more at http://www.bodie.com/.
Back in the town of Mammoth Lakes, Shell gas is still being pumped at a much higher price than 20 cents a gallon of Bodie days. However, 20 cents then would be equivalent to $2.50 now, so filling up that SUV will still cost more than filling up the Graham truck.

Art on Monday: Mammoth Museum

Hayden Cabin, built by Emmett Hayden & his wife in the late 1920's and well used by the Haydens, is now a home to Mammoth Museum. Many of Haydens' personal belongings are displayed at the museum, along with some art pieces. The print of Old Mammoth is by Van Nattan.

Indian Paint Brush

Color at Snow Creek meadow.

Dog, Ducks, Pond & Mammoth Mountain

We stayed close to this pond, part of the condominium complex at Snow Creek, which is a real creek (never can tell in California). Mammoth Mountain, with great ski slopes in the winter and mountain bike trails in the summer, is in the background.

Driving down Hwy 395 (Sky Watch)

Eastern Sierras, a bit north of Palos Verdes - just 250 miles. See Tom's all new Sky Watch Friday for many more participants.We drove down from Mammoth Lakes along Hwy 395 last Sunday, while our son stayed there with friends to fish & goof around. The clouds along the peaks were heavenly.We'll be away again this weekend & I'll autopost photos of Mammoth area.

Concerts in the Park

Held by the Malaga Cove library on summer Wednesday evenings, last nights concert featured the country (or cowboy) singer Boomer McLennan and the Rhythm Rangers.

"Z" is for ... (ABC Wednesday)

... "Zen"-sational Zen moments.
I took a very long way home after a long day at work, along the streets winding up the hill facing the South Bay, and was greatly rewarded. The view is from La Venta Inn's gardens on Via Del Monte.
Join other "Z" posts at Mrs. Nesbitts' ABC Wednesday.

Malaga Cove Library Branch

Designed to fit into a steep hillside, this library was designed in late 1920's by M. Hunt & H.C. Chambers. The landscape architects, the Olmsteds, designed the steps, a fountain and surrounding grounds. In addition to all library-like things, MC branch has a local history room and an art gallery which is currently showing the Portugese Bend Artists Colony paintings.

Art on Monday...Mermaid

or "Bakery Sign".
One of four beauties supporting Neptune at the Malaga Cove Plaza fountain which is a replica of the bronze fountain in Bologna, Italy.

Bakery display ...

... with a small admirer. Meyer's Bakery & Wedding Cake Studio (in Peninsula Center shopping area) changed hands last year, after 40+ years of family ownership. The new baker is Mr. Lenny Rosenburg who still makes the best twist donut around.

Surfing Saturday #2

A real "board"-jam. The view is of Torrance Beach, then RAT beach, with Malaga Cove area in the background.

Just Hangin' Around - Sky Watch Friday

This amazing hawk was hovering, in one spot, over Bluff Cove for at least 10 minutes. I had a chance to park my car along PV Drive, scramble down a short path, snap away, and still watch it, awestruck. The RC controlled planes, being flown there, must have kept its attention.
See lots of great skies at Tom's Sky Watch Friday.

Scrumptious Display

... or I could of said "very pretty pots & pans & platters". The pricey store is at the PV Mall (or Promenade at the Peninsula).
(So many P's...my mind must still be on ABC Wednesday.)

ABC Wednesday: "Y" is for ...

... yellow flowering trees in an suburban setting. I never noticed these trees before & now I see them along many streets and parking lots. I had no luck finding the name in my Guide to Trees.
See more interesting "Y" photos on Mrs. Nesbitts' ABC Wednesday.

Malage Cove Plaza on a busy day

The first shopping area in Palos Verdes is now a home to multiple realty offices. A corner market, where my husband used to get breakfast or burgers as a kid, still survives and is popular with retiree "breakfast clubers", bikers, and those going for a drive around the peninsula.

Balancing Knowledge by Brad Howe

The sculpture is displayed in front of the Peninsula Main Library. More on the sculptor at Brad Howe.

This post is for the interesting Palm Axis artist, a kind LA native.

Chapel @ St. Francis Episcopal

The chapel adjacent to the church in PV Estates was built in "Anno Domini MCMLII" according to a plaque, and is where summer services are held.

Surfing Saturday @ The Cove

Bluff Cove has been a popular surfing spot for ages...

... with all age groups.

Must be a good fishing spot too.

Although

not

on

a

board,

Amy

had

the

most

fun.

5K on Independence Day

My sister-in-law & I went for a walk this morning, along the Esplanade in Redondo Beach ...
... with many others ...
... while others watched ...
... and celebrated the 4th. Happy 4th of July!

Lighthouse from the air

Photo of Pt. Vicente Lighthouse from a helicopter taken on 4th of July in 2003. I took a short ride along the coastline with my then little son & his friend.

X is for ... (ABC Wednesday)

... well just X -- in preparation for ...See more X-posts on Mrs. Nesbitts's ABC Wednesday http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/

Theme Day: "NO" signs

Good reminder before 4th of July! The sign is located at the east end of PV Golf Course.

I've never been so aware of "No" and "Do not" signs as I have since the theme was announced. I now see them everywhere! This one is on the same cliffs as yesterday's post.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants