I seem to recall that this was from the North America section, but I could be wrong about that. Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

I don't remember much about these, where they were or what they are, except 'pretty.' Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

More from the Japanese garden. Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

There is a beautiful Japanese garden in the woods, with a pond. Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

These were in the Southern Africa section of the UC Botanical Garden. Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

Yikes! How did so much time go past before posting more images! Back to the UC Botanical Garden--
I was struck by the incredible symmetry of this plant. Berkeley, CA. 12 May 2009.

A recent trip to the UC Berkeley botanical garden was an opportunity to experience many continents worth of blooming things. As a tribute to the state of which this flower is the state flower, I'll post this as the first in the series. Berkeley, California. 12 May 2009.

As I sat watching the tide come in, I marveled at the seaweed's tenacity, clinging to the rocks. Seaweed takes a a real beating in the waves. Rumor has it that some of it makes good eating.

Silly joke (as told by the Vicar of Dibley):
Q.: Why did the lobster blush?
A.: Because the seaweed.

(I told you it was silly.)

York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

Incoming tide. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

More fabulous waves. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

More stunning waves. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

I have a cousin named Russell, but this isn't his lobster shack. It is, however, quintessentially Maine. Cape Neddick, Maine. 17 April 2009.

I was able to enjoy a few days by the ocean last week, and for some reason was awed by some breaking waves. On the face of it, they weren't spectacularly huge, they were simply spectacular. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

Easter sunrise, moon-set. Welcome, happy morning! Texas Corners, Michigan. 12 April 2009.

More evidence that the average last day for snowfall in southwest Michigan is well into April... Texas Corners, Michigan. 6 April, 2009.

As is somewhat predictable, the appearance of crocus and daffodils did not herald the end of winter in these parts! It seems like just about every year (and actually, the data suggests this is even true!) the crocus get wiped out by snow. Although I certainly didn't appreciate the return of winter, there were a few photo ops. My friend Bill says these are "Scilla siberica." And goes on to add that they are "beautiful little blue flowers that will spread a lovely carpet when they naturalize." Texas Corners, Michigan. 6 April 2009.

We saw this whale breach within 10 minutes of leaving shore. The baby that she was with breached at the exact same moment, but I only captured mom. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

This is kind of sad-- the baby, in the foreground, got caught in a net at a young age, and as the whale grew the net tightened. It now has these ridges along its back. Mama, in the background, doesn't let Junior out of her sight. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

I have a credit card with a company that lets you upload a photo to personalize your credit card, sio I know have this on my credit card. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Perhaps she was waving to a long lost friend? Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

The pectoral fins of humpback whales can be 10 - 15 feet long, and are 1/3 the length of the whale's body (or so we were told). Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Yes, we were close enough to get wet! Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Finally! I've got a minute to post some of the whale photos from Mexico. I'll post one a day for the next week or so, so check back! Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Ooops. I wasn't intending such a long break there between the 'tease' of asking you what the photos were about and then posting the answer. What can I say? Life is busy. So yes, they are humpback whales, cavorting about Bandera Bay. This photo was taken a millisecond or two before the previous post. There are lots more! Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Hmmm. No one guessed right on the last one. Try this-- any idea what it is or where it is? 5 March 2009.

While the fresh snow a couple of weeks ago was lovely to look at, most of us in these parts are tired of it. So escape we must! Any guesses where this might be, or WHAT it might be? 5 March 2009.