I also promised you...

...Ella on the nose of my kayak on a clear mountain lake.

I promised you the Minarets

And I deliver...

Sunday: Mountains and light

This was mostly a driving day. Which doesn't mean I don't have photos.

On the road...

Ella and I are leaving today for a camping (and hiking and kayaking) trip in the Eastern Sierras. Jordan will be home with a stay-in sitter to be sure he gets his meds. I'll post photos as I go, provided I find WIFI. Expect to see the Minarets, some of the oldest trees in the world, and Ella sitting on the nose of my kayak on some very clear mountain lakes.

I've had this creeping Charley for years...

...and I've had them before. And I had no idea they flowered.

The joy of a non-potable water tank...

...the garden is still living, blooming. Even producing a bit of citrus fruit. (Six photos.)

I haven't been watering the fuchsia, though. It's like a tree now, with very deep roots.

With anchovies, please

It's easy to see that the lovely anchovy run is still going on. And the birds are fat and happy. (Six photos.)

Note the hierarchy. The big pelicans get to sit up front. Little gulls at the back.

The view from my kitchen window #DailyGratitude

Every morning I stand at the sink to fill the teakettle with water, and this is what I see from the kitchen window. Blooming fuchsia, and hummingbirds anxious to monopolize the feeders. It really gets the day off to a lovely start.

Edge of the fog. With pelicans.

Lots and lots of pelicans.

The leaning tree

I don't think it's just me. The leaning tree is leaning farther than usual. People park under it for shade. I want to say, "Are you sure?"

And a bonus prize...

A little something extra from the Universe: the Hearst zebras were out.

Humpback whales!

Thanks to my friend Bruce Stuart and Bobby Lahr for tipping me that the humpback whales were putting on a show at the San Simeon Pier. Here's what I got:

Double whammy: Humpback whale and Elegant (or Caspian) tern.

And the wildlife watches me #DailyGratitude

I guess people are interesting for viewing, too.

I watch the wildlife #DailyGratitude

Both big and small.

Quiet, shady trail #DailyGratitude

Nothing like a quiet, shady trail, where it's never very hot, even in the summer. And where, no matter how many people are in town, I can still find solitude.

Make that #5!

Right between Veronica Roth and Liane Moriarity. That's pretty good company!

While I'm bragging on my numbers...

If you'll allow me a brief window to brag, this is me at #7 in the Amazon author rankings, right between Lois Lowry and Nora Roberts. 

Number 3!

Woke up to find Where We Belong at #3 in the Kindle store. Leslie Moroney, my cover photographer, wanted to see the book hit the top three. Here you go!

Where We Belong at #8!

Where We Belong just jumped into the top ten in the Kindle Store at #8!

Thank you to all of you who grabbed a copy for $0.99 and helped put it there!

Stained glass flowers

Well, they make me think of stained glass anyway.