Mustard along San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Trails and Hills

Saddleback and Capistrano Valley through Mustard

Trail side Mustard

The recent rains helped spawn some mustard and helped the other native plants along the roads and  trails in the San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano hills that will hopefully survive the recent Santa Ana Winds and heat wave.  Walking on the trail in the late morning I am enjoying views of the San Juan Capistrano Basilica,  Mission San Juan Capistrano, St. Margaret's School and the San Juan Capistrano Valley across to Saddleback Mountain. The sticky monkey flower and Coyote Brush are plentiful and in full bloom and the warm gusting breezes intensify the mustard fragrance as I was entertained and truly inspired by natures creatures and aviators frolicking in their element.

In the last few days three red-tail hawks, an American Kestral, two white tailed kites, a pair of turkey vultures, the occasional crow and a Northern Harrier effortlessly maneuvered in and negotiated the strong and changing wind flows.  Of course the Capistrano Cliff Swallows zipped through the air snagging snacks while two or three roadrunners shared the walk at a few turns and a curved beaked California Thrasher zipped across the trail in front of me.

Beautiful Sticky Monkey Flower

South County is beautiful and these days are special. Hopefully the green and blooms will be around for a little while longer.  

As with them our lives are always getting shorter.  Time is flying, we are getting older and the world is turning.

Get out and take a walk, even a little one.  Look listen and smell.  Disconnect for just a little while.   It is very good for the soul. These moments are precious.

Easter Bunny Pictures at The Fisherman's Restaurant on the San Clemente Pier

Easter Bunny Entertaining

Get your pictures taken with the Easter Bunny at the Fisherman's Restaurant on the San Clemente Pier until 2:00 today.  People having a very good time; kids pretty exited.  Come down in your Easter Best.  Bring your little ones - or just yourself and have a funny Bunny moment.

Nice art in the back!

12 Ship HMM-364 Purple Foxes CH-46 Sea Knight Flight over San Diego and Coast Salutes Phrogs' 50 Years and Remembers Marines

CH-46 Sea Knight HMM-163 Ridge Runners Evil Eyes
parked at MCAS Tustin in front of Blimp Hangar I

A twelve (12) ship Heritage Flight of CH-46 Sea Knights (or "Phrog's" as they are better known) from USMC HMM-364 World Famous Purple Foxes will fly today from MCAS Camp Pendleton (NFG) South along I15 to MCAS Miramar, across to the ocean then down to San Diego Bay and back up the coast.  This Helicopter began US Marine Corps and US Navy service in Vietnam.  CH-46's are being replaced by MV-22 Ospreys over the last few years and Phrog Squadrons designated "HMM"'s for Helicopter Marine Medium are now becoming "VMM"'s for "Vertical/Short Take off and landing (V/STOL) Medium Marine" Squadron.  Only two HMM squadrons remain:  HMM-364 Purple Foxes, due to transition to Ospreys this year, and HMMT-164, the last squadron to have CH-46's that will transition next year. Paul grew up in the flight path of MCAS Tustin (then MCAF) and watched as the CH-35 Choctaw's were slowly replaced by the CH-46's and drew both as a child.  This led to doing paintings of aircraft for Marines personally, to paintings of the MCAS Tustin Blimp Hangars, and to support of their Open Houses and the MCAS El Toro, MCAS New River, MCAS Cherry Point and MCAS Miramar Air Shows that continues to this day.

HMM-364 CH-46's turning and preparing to launch at MCAS Camp Pendleton

San Clemente Pier Pelican Feeding Frenzy

Pelicans, seagulls & coots are flying in to the San Clemente Pier from all over and are performing a beautiful aerial ballet as they all dive for fish. As hectic as it seems it is amazing that all of this is done without any collisions or birds going for the same fish. Beautiful to watch.

Three Peaceful Wise Men Paddle Surf for the Perfect Beach Christmas Image and Gift

Like the Three Magi of Biblical fame riding their camels west across the Middle Eastern desert these three peaceful wise men stand up paddle west into the sunset towards the evening Christmas star in the perfect sunny weather Beach Christmas image that is relevant year round.  The idea came from thinking about how to portray a California Christmas in an image that wouldn't be passé on Christmas morning.   Watching paddle board surfers while displaying my art on the San Clemente Pier it suddenly became very clear as they reminded me of the Three Kings crossing the desert and Venus prominent in the western Winter sky as the Christmas star brought it all together.  In the first sketches the paddlers were going across the image but the long boards made the figures small, so turning them to paddle into the sunset made it perfect.  The painting's full title?  "Three Wise Men: Peace on Earth or We Three Kings of Orient 'Oar'".  Another local reference is to the legendary "Three Wise Men" of San Onofre, the original "Old Guys".  Thinking of the best gift for the paddle board surfer you know?  This is it, and they can be customized to suit.  Check it out.

Yates Family Vineyard in Mount Veeder Area of Napa and Historic Napa Castlerock Featured in Paul Gavin Winery Autumn Harvest Painting

In progress - Yates Castlerock Family Vineyard at Napa 

The Yates Family Vineyard in the Mount Veeder area of Napa and the historic Napa Castlerock are featured in this soon to be completed painting by Paul Gavin. This elegant family run winery is the site of the original Castlerock Winery that has become the Yates Family Vineyard operations center and tasting room and artistic license used to move the prominent and historic Napa Castlerock, which is on the property, a little to the right so it appears in the composition.  Check out the Yates Family Vineyard for your wine and event needs and opportunities.

US Navy Blue Angels Publish 2014 Air Show Schedule with NAF El Centro, Palmdale, Fontana and MCAS Miramar

The US Navy Blue Angels have published their 2014 Air Show Event Schedule.   Southern California Air Show fans can look forward to NAF El Centro March 15, Palmdale March 21-22 and Fontana March 23, and  the 2014 MCAS Miramar Air Show October 4-5.  All will probably depend on whether the shows can gather enough support to cover all the expenses.  Let's hope so.  You can still get the now classic collectable 2013 MCAS Miramar Souvenirs  including Air Show T- and Hooded Sweat Shirts, Hats and Posters - featuring the F35B, the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and the Patriots Jet Team - a very limited edition design!