Colours in California are so bright and clear in the sunshine..they seem to sparkle and shimmer. We drove to Santa Barbara on the coast after leaving Palm Desert. We went down the the Stern's Pier and walked along it. We got there just after 2 p.m and there were hundreds of shore birds in the area. I love how this one showed off his feathers for me. The previous time we walked this pier there were a lot of brown Pelicans at the end of it but they are doing construction at the end of the pier so the birds were not as easy to photograph. I found this fellow preening himself and trying to decide if this was his good side to be photographed from.

Just above him were several other birds, this guy pulled some amazing antics of agility and stretching while his friends were grooming themselves. Here he is scratching his chin trying to get that right spot.

Meanwhile my friend below decided to get that spot between the shoulder blades.

I don't ever think I've seen a Pelican stretch back quite this far before!

Now he looks like he is trying to get his TMJ back into alignment.

Back along the beach we spotted this guy quietly swimming along. He has some lovely markings, I don't know what type of bird he is. Can anyone tell me?

These flowering plants are seen along the beaches helping with shore stabilization. I've seen them mainly in yellow or purple and I think pink. These I took with my telephoto lens.

Suddenly the sea gulls that were floating on the water or standing on the beach took to the air. They did this several times, I'm not sure what startled them.

We found the Lemon Tree Motel and decided to check in, I like the motif they used to tell you the room number, notice that they have the number in braille, you might have to click on the image to see the braille.

All around the grounds of the motel were citrus trees, I saw some grapefruit and at least two types of lemon trees.

We entered from the parking lot and looked through the patio doors to find a courtyard with a pool, a table and chairs on a private patio and some lovely bird of paradise flowers.

You usually see the flowers photographed from the side angle, this day I decided to take a different view of the flower. You certainly get a very different perspective looking at it from this angle.

More lemons with their beautiful fragrant blossoms. I think I want try try and grow some from seed and see what I get, could be a fun project to have.

Driving along the Redwood Highway, you never know which way the road will bend. First it goes to the left and then to the right. Ferns and mosses line the forest floor with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees...life is good! At a driving break in Half Moon Bay, I spotted these glass cherries, sorry Mary Lou the shop was closed so I couldn't find out how much they cost.

Travelling around you can see some amazing public art in both large and small towns.

This tree arches over the street in Pacific Grove.

This deer jumped in front of my car and disappeared in high grasses, by the time I found my camera and turned the corner, I found it munching away in the parking lot.

In Cambria we stopped again for a break and found this amazing bronze by Tim Cotterill, known as the Frogman.

This piece is almost 12 feet tall and the detail is amazing. He is found at Artifacts Gallery in Cambria.

I love it when photographing flowers if I find an insect in the shot. This bee flew in and wanted to be a part of the picture.

This dolphin fountain is in Santa Barbara at the start of the Stearns Wharf. Some birds flew in to take a drink just after I took this shot.

Here is one of the pigeons thinking of having a drink.

Now I've heard about putting your head in, but this is a bit ridiculous. He did it several times before flying way.

This is the view back towards the beach from the pier, I love the action in the sky. The Palm Trees make this picture so California.

When we got to the back of the pier we found a squadron of Pelicans hanging out. They let you get quite close to them. I love the red tip on this one's beak and how he is watching me so closely.

This one suddenly took flight and I managed to get a shot, not quite in focus, but still amazing.

In Carlsbad I noticed this tree, and found out it is called the Kapok Tree, just to the right and higher you can see one of the pods that has not yet cracked. This fiber was used to make inflatable vests. They have a beautiful pink bloom that looks like a cross between an orchid and a lily.

In Old Town we checked out some of the shops, I like the colours in this plate, makes you want to pick the fruit off and eat it.

In this shop their store window had a lot of Day of the Death displays.

The tiles on these stairs look like traditional quilt blocks and applique designs.

An outdoor cafe flew these lovely colourful cut out banners.

Once again some beautiful outdoor murals depicting a time gone by.

I have a "thing" for yellow lemons, can't pass them up. They make food so fresh and appetizing. I don't think these ones will spoil too quickly!