Environment – 67Steffen.com

Mushroom and Pine Needles

During winter pine needles and twigs are everywhere in the forest floor along with a mushroom or two.

I took this shot of a Big Sur beach wedding a few years ago. I was struck by the orderliness of the scene–everyone in her or his place–in a natural surrounding of random almost chaotic beauty. Don’t know what happened to the newlyweds. Do know that planet Earth is in trouble with extreme weather actingContinue reading “What Happened?”

Love from the Ocean

I stumbled across this heart-shaped rock on Carmel-by-the-Sea beach yesterday. Looks like it rolled in with the tide, judging from the kelp stuck to it. Given its shape and color, I’d say it was a message of love from the Pacific Ocean. We certainly love it back. Of course, I’m not wearing rose colored glasses.Continue reading “Love from the Ocean”

Goats to the Rescue…

On my weekly drive to the grocery store I pass a vacant field that has become a fire hazard during the current hot, dry weather. But yesterday the field was full of goats chomping on the wild grasses. Took this shot while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Big Sur Private Beach…for Everyone

Everyone should have a private beach along Big Sur for at least a few seconds. Relish the view and the fact that the beach, whichever one it is, has been here longer than you and that it belongs to everyone and, above all, it is a jewel of our planet.

Egrets Galore

Sometimes I wander down to the Carmel River Lagoon and watch the egrets hunt and “dance”.

First Light…a Few Minutes Ago

Got up in the dark, walked Ivan, returned to take this photo of today’s first light over the Monterey coast. Assume that bright dot is the North Star. Busy day so far. Next is the whir of the coffee bean grinder(not shown). Peace.

Carmel River Lagoon

After a few days in the Sierras with a low bright sun and long shadows, it is a refreshing contrast to look at the fall colors of the Carmel River Lagoon. This shot would make a challenging jigsaw puzzle.

A Small World…

I didn’t see it at first yesterday, an orange speck on a green leaf. Ladybug. I bent over for a closer look–it moved slightly. The world of a ladybug is small while the name is historic. As the story goes farmers in France 500 years ago prayed to the Virgin Mary to protect their cropsContinue reading “A Small World…”