Colorful Explosion

Today my rideabout was fruitful - no! Flowerful! The Rhododendron shrubs are in full glory with their rounded clusters of showy pink, red, purple and white flowers.

I also saw that some of the multi-color Iris have opened, and Poppies are popping. I'll show them in a later post, along with the invasive yellow pond iris. 

The fungus grows in the white pine tree graveyard.     Please click on an image to view larger 

I Love the Beach

.....and I love the interesting things I find on the campground. Soon I'll show you my shark's teeth. 

Just click on an image to view larger

Big Boys and Girls Have Big Toys

Our friends brought their newest toy to the beach this time. It is the Fall Bike Week here. The bikes are allowed into the heart of the campground during the Spring and Fall Harley Rallies. They are permitted to park on their sites and ride around within the property. They are a great group of people and are well behaved. It is neat to see all of the bikes.

 This site is occupied by long-time good friends.

 The above is my "CREATION"

This year isn't as large as in the past but the weather has been pretty good at the end of this week and they are all having a good time.  We used to ride many years ago and we understand pretty well, most of what it is all about. They come here to ride and enjoy the coast and the wonderful activities of the area including the great food and comradery.

Anyway, I haven't been taking many pictures, except for some of the continuing growth of ugly fungi and pretty bikes. I have been spending every afternoon in the outdoor pool and my younger and more agile friends are enjoying the water slides and lazy river here. Soon it will be over due to weather becoming colder, but for now......

Oh! By the way! Have you ever seen such a large RV? It has 6 slide-outs! (I don't know WHY the picnic table holds the toilet!)

Click on image to view larger

Trees and Mushrooms in Campground

Birds and Boletus

I spent the afternoon yesterday sitting on the overview ramp that leads to the beach. The sun was warm and it was a great sight when the pelicans and osprey were diving into the ocean for fish. These are their ways: pelicans dive beak first for their catch - osprey dive head first then switch at the last second to grab prey with their feet. Since I had my camera handy, I thought I would try to get their action. What a failure I had with those shots. I'm used to taking pictures of still and close up things and this was VERY different. I pushed to focus then pushed to take a photo and my subject matter was just plain too fast for me. I even had camera set to "sport" which could have stopped action if I could have them in the right place when I shot. Part of my problem was that they were so far away and I'm not a professional photographer with an adequate zoom lens nor knowledge of what tactic and settings to use. The photos below are my poor results but I WILL try again. I took 38 shots so was satisfied to have a few to share. Unfortunately I missed the osprey completely.

After two hours I headed for home and noticed shapely brown clumps on a neighbor's lawn. Curiosity prevailed and these are my best photo accomplishments of the day. Of course, after returning home I had to research and be able to name them. I'm still not sure of identification, as it is tricky, and I NEVER would eat these even though I love tasty fungi.

Boletus queletii otherwise known as the deceiving bolete, is an uncommon, edible mushroom in the genus Boletus. It can be found in deciduous forest, at lower altitudes, mostly under beech.

Boletus is a genus of mushroom, comprising over 100 species. The genus Boletus was originally broadly defined and described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1821, essentially containing all fungi with pores. 

 Boletus queletii

Boletus queletii

 Boletus queletii

 Boletus queletii

 Boletus queletii

Boletus queletii