I remain as amazed by this question as this little toddler.
There is this wonder of birds, and children.
You want them to stay with you, but if they did, it wouldn’t be the same.
We are home now in sunny Southern California.
I still have more of Iceland to share,
but thought you might want a break from fire and ice,
to soak up a bit of sun and surf.
We still, desperately need rain, but like the song says, ‘you can’t always get what you want.’
Cheers to you from home sweet home~
What a cutie
He was adorable. I could watch him forever, and now I have two twin grand-baby boys. Such utter sweetness…..
Beautiful and so sweet. Glad you are safely home, many thanks for sharing tour Travels!💚💙💜
Thank you for traveling with me. You make the experience richer <3
You do! ♥️🌺
<3 <3
Wonderful post,Cindy 😀😀
Beautiful and so sweet.
Have a nice Day.
Balle
You too my friend & thank you!
Thank you 😀
<3 <3
Thank you, and you too <3
Awww, takes kindness to see it, so thank you!
Thank you very much & be well.
Ahhh, honored, thank you.
Honored. Thank you.
Oooh sun…its foggy here in Cleveland Ohio today. And seems to be inclined to stay that way all day too.
I wish I could take your clouds, and send you my sunshine.
Maybe you did lol, it’s sunny here today. Hope you’ve got a nice day where you are as well 🙂
Yay, and have a wonderful week!
so sweet ! I´ll never get tired of Iceland 🙂
Neither will I. We are already talking about returning. This is what the world is like. It keeps inviting you back.
True, true …..
<3 <3
Oh my…is he yours, Cindy? What a cutie! Beautiful photos!
Now he is not, but two, tiny, unbelievable, twin grandbaby boys, have just arrived, which is why I have been AWOL!
Congratulations! <3
Thank you.
Adorable and striking.
Thank you!
You caught the right moment of the little boy’s encounter with the sea gull, Cindy. Great sequence of the hello and good-bye!
Thank you Peter. Hello and goodbye sums up life doesn’t it.
Very cute, Cindy! I would love to give California some of our Illinois rain – it’s so dreary and damp here, we could use some of your sunshine in return!
I honestly get quite frustrated whilst traveling year after year, and seeing places inundated by rain which we so desperately need. It is true that you don’t always get what you want, but it isn’t always true that if you try, you get what you need.
I forgot to mention my mother and aunt, were born and grew up in Chicago, and my mother went to the U of C, before they both were uprooted ‘immigrants’ to California.
Welcome home Cindy. Great photos. Do you guys run a lodge in Torrey Pines? Do you live on the property?
Love that area.
No. I would love to live in that historic old adobe in this amazing place that is regularly visited by mountain lions. These photos were taken in Torrey Pines State Park, where thankfully no one is allowed to live. The Torrey Pines trees are unique and threatened and need our protection, as does the entire habitat.
What a lovely sequence showing the innocence of young children who cannot believe that not everyone(thing) would want to interact with them.
Yes, and this toddler accepts this with surprise and delight. Some adults could learn from him.
That was a nice capture of the bird flying in front of the toddler!
Thank you & wonderful to hear from you. Hope all is well with you!
Hope you are doing well too!
<3
hahah – such joy with the bird and babe
Thanks! Birds and babes work for me everytime.
🙂
<3
That toddler IS cute! 🙂
He was so adorable. I think he is going to grow up and be a big man! He has that stocky look, like a puppy with big paws.
🙂
He went for the bird, he is so cute. Thanks Cindy. 🙂
This is how people always ought to be, innocent and loving, like you Ranu <3
What cutie. And just the idea of your beautiful land and SUN, is a wonder, as I sit here in the dark and rain. Beautiful country. I’m so happy for you.
Send me your rain, and I will lend you my sun <3
That is so cute! Freedom.
Freedom and innocence. It can’t be improved upon <3
Lovely sequence, Cindy! Children and animals seem to belong together.
Yes, children have not yet been taught they are superior to other animals.
And that is a good thing. They understand each other well.
It is. I wish more people thought this way. <3
Cute pictures, Cindy. Enjoy your return home. 🙂
Takk fyrir <3
Welcome home, my dear friend. Here is what I have learned from following your posts. Wherever you go, Cindy, you take home with you. Hugs and love!!!
It’s true isn’t it wise Rebecca, home is on our hearts, and our hearts are big enough to hold the whole world. Love to you my friend <3
Beautiful– the child, bird, sea, sun, clouds. It’s hot and humid here, so these photographs provide a refreshing imagined vacation. It comes at a good time spiritually too. Nice!
P.s. I added the clouds, small, bright, puffy. I like that kind, besides a heavy and dark sky is approaching us. Thanks for the blue horizon!
Awwww, your thoughtful comment makes me truly grateful I posted today. Blessings to you.
Thank you more for such thoughtful appreciation! Cheers & blue skies to you.
Beautifully captured, Cindy! California does need some rain…
Year, after year, of punishing drought is taking such a toll on such precious habitats.
I would love to be as close to that bird as that toddler was!
The bird obviously did not consider the toddler a threat and only left to avoid being hugged!!
Welcome back home Cindy. I love the photos and reminder that kids, birds, and life are best enjoyed with a light touch, allowing them freedom and acceptance.
You write and think so beautifully. I was just now at your blog reading and being impressed as usual.
Thank you Cindy. I guess we have a mutual admiration. 🙂
Yep. We definitely do, and I know it is sincere, on both ends.
Thank you.
<3 <3
Wonders indeed! 🙂 xo
California is the stuff of dreams – so beautiful. As is that little toddler! Not yours?
But I read that your daughter gave birth?
This little toddler was not mine. His mother and father loved him, which is always so good to see.
And yes, thank you for knowing, Dre, did give birth to 35 week preemie twin boys. They are beyond gorgeous, like all babies..
Congrats, Grandma! 😉
It is puzzling isn’t. I pretty much prep for everything, but I don’t think I ever expected to get here. But here I am. A grandma without a good rule book.
The best kind! 😉
<3 <3
I do love the sun and surf, Cindy! I imagine that toddler would have run screaming for his mama if that bird had turned around toward him!!
You are so right! Isn’t it amazing the bird chose not to do that.
Welcome back and congratulations on your new grandsons! Twins! 🙂 Double happiness.
Thank you. I am still Godsmacked.
Namaste Cindy 🙂
Wonderful photographs, a stunning location: the sunshine and blue sky is the stuff of dreams, holidays and the imagination 🙂
Moved by the little boy’s plight I leave a line or two.
~ The Toddling Twitcher ~
~
Waddling the coastline of Costa Del Mar,
A paradise where toddlers go,
A wobbling ornithologist puttering-by,
Called-out to a friend, “hello!”
~
With curiosity upon his features,
And sand between his toes,
He took delight in a creature of flight:
A genus he didn’t know.
~
Nor had seen before in all his yore,
But he thought it a species of gull.
Never one to ponder continued to wander,
Certain all would be well.
~
Within six feet or maybe more,
His friend implored him, “stay!”
“A test to test before with zest,”
“You startle me away!”
~
“Will you play a game with me?”
“The riddle of what I am,” said he.
“Three chances have thee to guess my breed.”
“Guess incorrectly, why then I leave.”
~
“Play!” Said the toddler doddering along,
“Gannet!” He enthused his voice a song.
“Wrong,” sung the bird, “try again.”
“A different bird not one the same.”
~
“Kittiwake, guillemot, petrel, boobie?”
“Wrong!” Shouted the bird rather rudely.
“Razorbill, dovekie, frigatebird, noddie?”
“Fool!” yelled the bird rather obtusely.
~
“Jaeger, skuas, shearwater, petrel?”
“Why next you’ll call me a seafaring kestrel!”
“Cormorants, auklet, murrelet, skimmer?”
“No,” smirked the bird, “not even a glimmer”
~
When with one last attempt he boldly tried,
“Seagull!” He yelled triumphantly cried.
“Why yes!” Declared the riddling bird,
“I’m an ocean-going sort of fly-guy:”
~
“Cliff-hugging surf-loving,”
“Beak-flashing red as I fly!”
“Sand-strolling wind-rolling,”
“Super cool superfly-guy!”
~
“They call me One-Stop Never Drop,”
“Scourge of the Del Mar High seas!”
“My targets never see me coming,”
“Or stealing whatever I please!”
~
The toddler shrieked his day complete,
Picked up his feet started running.
When then in sync an argument heats,
Raised voices started gunning!
~
Seagull turned to gaze at what was heard,
And there spied a seagull’s feast.
Who could ignore what dropped to the floor
Neither man, nor bird, nor beast!”
~
As quick as a flash Seagull dashed,
Disappeared leaving dust in his wake:
Racing went pacing to secure said stash,
Clearly hungry and on the make.
~
Left to shuffle along Del Mar bay,
Twitcher watched his gull fly-away
Who richer for his encounter mused,
“Why do I feel so confused?”
~
He’d named the bird he’d got it right,
But yet his friend had taken flight?
Suddenly alone he felt rejected,
Angry upset forlorn dejected.
~
But when then a whisper wafting softly,
Lifted his spirit higher.
“Never-mind sweet child of mine,”
“Would ice-cream ease your ire?”
~
Shambling feet picked up their beat,
“Yes please!” He said, “that’s neat!”
“Sweet treat he shrieked, “beloved dream!”
“You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice-scream!”
~*~
Have a wonderful week 🙂
Namaste 🙂
DN
I just don’t even know what to do with you. Your talent just pours. Please know I love you.
😀 Thank you 😀 You know how I like to perch here for a while enjoying your photographs whilst dreams take me to the far-flung places you write of. I intended only to comment but was distracted as always but yet this time wondering why indeed the gull flew away and left the little fella on his lonesome. I’m not sure I arrived at any satisfactory conclusions 🙂
Thank you for enjoying my scribble. Have a pleasant evening,
Take care. Namaste <3
DN
I have to tell you two true stories about gulls.
At the age of this toddler, a seagull swooped down on Easter Sunday, and stole my son’s toy wind-up Easter chick. Matt looked at me and said, “Don’t worry, he’ll bring it back.”
I explained to him that seagulls don’t do this to try and prepare him for disappointment, but he was adamant. Hours later, as we were packing up to leave, the seagull swooped down low over us, and dropped the toy chick with the inner mechanics pecked out, but otherwise intact. My son ran and picked up the chick, and said, “I told you he’d bring it back.”
There is an elegant hotel on the beach in the town where I grew up. For decades seagulls would swoop down and steal sterling silver napkin rings from outdoor dining tables. The hotel eventually hired a falconeer to visit regularly and terrify the gulls away. More years pass, and the hotel undergoes a renovation. The repair people entered the hotel’s unused bell tower, and what do you suppose they found? A mountain of sterling silver napkin rings.
So this brings me back to your question. Why do gulls do what they do? I have no idea, but I know they are very wise birds.
Namaste Cindy 🙂
Wonderful stories thank you! The first a precious memory, the second a priceless legend, both are mysterious and intriguing. Indeed I’ve been sharing these tales with colleagues at work today who were as amazed as I by both stories. Several commented on your son’s calmness and sense of knowing. None of us could explain such a thing nor offer any attempt at all in explaining what followed. We couldn’t find one plausible explanation that adequately reasoned all the events that occurred in the order they did. It is indeed a mystery 🙂
Your delightful stories might suggest seagulls have a curious penchant for (shiny) metal objects. The chick was returned but not the mechanism whilst the mountain of silver napkin rings is obvious. Those thieving gulls would not be the first birds to have such a habit: Magpies are a well known for it. But you know, I can’t imagine it was just one gull collecting a mountain’s worth of napkin rings, it must have had help, or indeed a whole family of helpers. And if it did have help then why were the same silver items deposited in the exact same place: it sounds like a bird’s saving-bank 😉 I get images of seagulls stealing napkin-rings and dropping them in the bell-tower whereupon they are found and returned to the tables only to be stolen again. And all whilst sea-gulls laugh at their mischief-making and at our expense 🙂 Wise birds indeed.
All of which still leaves the question, ‘why do sea-gulls do what they do?’ unanswered.
Thank you for sharing anecdote and story.
Namaste 🙂
DN
I just talked to my son and daughter about that seagull on Easter Sunday. They remember it very well. It is utterly inexplicable and wonderful isn’t it. We know so little about the mysteries of life. Be well my friend & thank you for such an thoughtful response.
Love his expressions! I don’t think you need to be a toddler to react like that lol Lovely, as always, Cindy. Thank you for a glimpse of sunny Cali 🙂
Thank you for joining me here <3
Thank you for having me <3
<3 <3
The pictures of the little toddler are just priceless. I wouldn’t mind returning to those days of wonder.
Sweet post! 💖
Adorable Cindy. Another twitcher in the family?
Gosh, I love hearing from you. He is someone’s else’s twitcher. But my daughter Dre, just gave birth to preemie twins, Owen and Xavier.
Congratulations, grandchildren are a blessing. We have our 16 year old granddaughter staying with us for a few days, she is a delight.
These babies have not yet reached 5 lbs, but already they have blown us all away. Love to you my friend.
🤗
He’s adorable. Wonderful photos. 🙂
Thank you. The photographic subject is the most amazing thing.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Some lovely pictures of sunny California from Cindy Knoke.
Love to you sweet person <3
As always Cindy, it is a pleasure to visit the HOLLER or anywhere with you. As for Fire & Ice, I do love the thought and it is the title of my signature poem which I posted, albeit, years ago… xx
And of course we have Frost,
“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say it will end in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of them both,
I’d go with those who favor fire.”
This is by memory, so I am sure I messed it up a bit. Ironic his name was Frost isn’t it. He was such an obvious New Englander, who didn’t live in California. I would go in ice over fire.
Absolutely. I started out in Southern CA. I will always choose fire. xx
<3 <3
❤❤
Stupendous pictures, especially the second in the splendid sequence
Honored & humbled Derrick. Thank you.
These wonderful photos take me right back to childhood beach experiences.
I’d send you some rain if I could – we get more than enough of it here!
I would accept your rain with great appreciation and I am happy you have childhood beach memories, so do I, and so do my children.
LOVE THE POSTS, CINDY, CHINA
So happy you do & thank you!
fas ist aber sehr niedlich, möge es eine gute Woche für uns werden und viel Spaß machen ohne Stress und Kummer.
Und so ist es! Habe eine wundervolle, friedliche Woche, mein Freund.
Wonderful pictures, so natural and free. Maybe the boy says as one little I know.
” Birda, Wings……fly” . 😊
miriam
Love it! <3
I love the interaction between the adorable child and the bird. He’s a cutie. Fantastic photos. is that your house?
Thanks Nancy and I wish! This is a state park, and that is like a ranger station, an old adobe, that once was some lucky person’s house. Cheers to you my friend.
Ha. I knew it was TPSP even before the last picture. Walked there last year. Lucky me!
Last March 9 actually. Time, flies, etc.
It is frightening how fast it flies.
Yes indeed. I celebrated all my birthdays here as a kid and it hasn’t changed a bit, except for the effects of the drought.
Cindy, wonderful as always – I particularly loved the toddler pictures – you captured the sheer joy and wonder of childhood in those pictures…thank you.
Thank you Sheila. I so loved having children, because it enabled me to relive that wonder.
Great captures, Cindy! I’ve seen the wonder of kids and birds also here on our beach! By now “my” two girls are quite seasoned bird watchers 🙂
At the age of this toddler, a seagull swooped down on Easter Sunday, and stole my son’s toy wind-up Easter chick. Matt looked at me and said, “Don’t worry, he’ll bring it back.”
I explained to him that seagulls don’t do this. Hours later, as we were packing up to leave, the seagull swooped down over us, and dropped the toy chick with the inner mechanics pecked out, but otherwise intact. My son ran and picked up the chick, and said, “I told you he’d bring it back.”
I think that bird is singing the same song. Nice pictures. They speak for themselves.
Thank you Darnell & happy week my friend!
And the same to you.
Glad you are safely home. Looking forward to more of Iceland 🙂
Oh wonderful! Thanks so much & cheers to you.
I’ve loved your travel photos, but enjoy your time at home!
Thank you. Home is home, particularly because I have lived here all my life. Home is the place I know best.
that second pic of the little child and the bird is so cute! I love it
I Know you love this, because you are an exceptionally kind person <3
Such wonderful captures of the toddler encountering beach birds. Love the expression on his face in the second photo. The shadow of the bird is so striking. <3
You are observant. Thank you.
Yes, I’m toddling around….. in love!
You toddle so freaking well! Love you Resa.
Very wise. We want the bird to stay and the child to remain a toddler but oh what we would miss in the growing up and the changes.
I know what you mean about rain. We finally got a little after 3 months dry. I think they said 111 days without rain. Could be a record for Portland but you are usually dry. I wish you rain. Welcome back home.
I wish you everything good that is possible to wish for, because you deserve it, and because I am very happy to know you.
Thank you so much, Cindy. Your words warm my heart like you can’t even imagine.
Visa versa 2UX2 <3
Love the photos!
Thank you & so glad you do!
🙂
Such a sweet encounter between bird and boy.
Yes. Innocence personified. Wonderful to hear from you Mandy.
I hope you’ve got your rain by now, but like the song says, ‘it never rains in southern California’ 🙂
It’s true, and unlike the song it hasn’t poured in years.
I often ask the same question when birding or observing other wildlife. 😉 The views from SOCAL look beautiful.
Questions with no answers are the best questions.
The pure joy of a child discovering something new! Few things provide more moments than the ocean. I still remember my first visits as a youngster, just a wee bit north up around Watsonville working south to Morrow Bay. –Curt
Yep. I grew up at the beach and was born next to it, as were my kids. It makes us forever beach bums and happy about that.
The thought of being a beach bum has incredible appeal, Cindy. Maybe I’ll make that my next career. 🙂
What fun action shots. (sand designs, expressions, bird feathers – all show up so well)
Landscape/seascape lovely, but that kid’s face – childhood wins!
Children rule. We mess them up turning them into adults!
Welcome home Cindy. Beautiful little boy. 🙂
Thanks my friend & cheers to you <3
sei herzlich gegrüßt und hab Freude an diesem Tag.
Vielen dank mein lieber Freund!
Torrey Pines Lodge… I couldn’t possibly be more intrigued! The views of the CA coast always take my breath away. Lovely shots, Cindy. La Jolla (sighs) I visited there once upon a time. While the circumstance couldn’t have been more horrid, I was and still am struck by the beauty and charm of the place. (And silly me… I thought you were based in Oregon. I just can’t keep up with everyone.) Hummingbird hugs to you and everyone at the Holler.
I was born and raised in La Jolla, and we did closely consider moving to Oregon, so you are intuitively spot on, which is no surprise. La Jolla is way too congested and developed now, but it was extremely charming back in the day. Hugs back to you Teagan & cheers too~
Your work is always splendid, Cindy. You’ve captured the wonder and magic of being a toddler.
It takes someone who is comfortable with wonder and magic to see this, someone just like you!
Ok. Now I’m beaming. 🙂
<3 <3
https://superduque777.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/funny-kind-of-red.jpg
Beautiful! Thank you & cheers too~
Cindy, Thank you again for your beautiful work!
Visa versa 2UX2 Charles!
es ist heute spät geworden, genieße den Rest des Tages.
Du auch mein Freund, alles Gute für dich!
Birds and children, two of the best. Cheers to you, Cindy. And gorgeous photos!
Yes, thank you, birds and children are magic for me too!
You are most welcome, Cindy. 🙂
<3 <3
Gorgeous photos. I can almost sense being there too. Iceland fascinates through your lens.
Thank you! Lovely comment & cheers to you Mary Ann~
My pleasure and greetings to you, Cindy.
<3 <3
Beautiful and very sweet🍫🎉💕🌿
Just like you!
Thank you😘😘
<3 <3
Stunning photography!!
Ahhh, so nice and so appreciated! Thank you & cheers too.
Boy with the birds scene is awesome!
Honored. Thank you Alexander.
The quality of your photos never ceases to astonish me. Emma
Ohhh, you touched my <3. Thank you.
Beautiful pictures❤️❤️❤️
Ahh, thank you!