Jerry and I love to go on our weekend walks away from all the busy streets and noise in our local neighborhood. We usually go on several of the trails that are behind most of the homes here in Orange County. Once in a while we’ll get in the car and drive a short distance so we can walk in one of the local wilderness parks we are so fortunate to have nearby. This Saturday we decided to try and find a new park I had read about on line in my search for some place new and yet local, called Morrow Trail.

Searching online for Morrow Trail was becoming a quest, and one I was quickly becoming frustrated with. Several of the local listing for parks in the area barely mentioned Morrow Trail. Those that did, proclaimed if you came to Orange County this was an fairly easy trial, one with beauty and not to be missed. After much searching I found Morrow Trail on a map. A topography map, yet still a map. Long story short, and at least for now, Morrow Trail is not for us to discover.

So on our quest for Morrow Trail, we drove through the canyon off El Toro Road for a bit, and wound up at Santa Margarita’s Lake. A very busy one too. Still if taken the time to enjoy the weather which was “just right warm”, the birds, which were plentiful, even adorable and excited dogs out for their walk, the scenery was beautiful!

Speaking of scenery, here’s some I never get tired of looking at! Gorgeous, isn’t he? Always a sight for my eyes.

The lake was full of algea, which find to be interesting by the patterns it makes. Very unique!

Some of the most exciting things for me to watch at this lake are the birds. There are so many and they are always doing something worth watching.

At one end of Rancho’s lake is a row of what looks like Birch trees. They lose their leaves every year, and are graceful even when their branches are bare.

The trees are also planted in a delightful pattern at the end of the lake, they are staggered, making them for me, interesting.

If I’d thought to bring my small camera with me I would have recorded this adorable dog while he was rolling around the side of this hill. The owner was standing very still holding his leash while he had his moment of doggie joy!

As I said earlier there are are many varieties of birds in the area, in particular seagulls. Many visitors bring food for them, making them very territorial.

Having said that, they tend to bicker and fight with each other a lot. It’s always a welcome challenge to see if I can capture a few worthwhile snapshots of one of them in flight, with their wings spread wide.

And the gulls were fighting that day. One bird to a lamp post I guess!

And that displaced bird will leave with a loud squack!

A new feature all around the park was this unique water fountain for adults, children and last yet not least dogs. How fun! I can’t wait to share this with our son’s dog Ms Yuki!

Mothers Day at Claim Jumper restaurant and good friend Jill and I ordered martini’s. Jill had the house martini, I had the key lime pie martini! Wonderfully delicious, gone in a flash!

Montonoso Recreation Center, the gym where I go to exercise my ole’ body. This is the view from the treadmill/ellipticle room that I often frequent. There are usually a lot of birds around, even a few that have a nest tucked away. Something fun to watch!

Tuesday Mornings add made this set of bamboo dishes look tempting, something I could sincerely resist, until I got in the store and had a closer look. It was then I knew I was in real trouble! I bought only what I thought we needed, a large oversized lightweight salad or chip bowl, 2 small dip bowls, 2 plates to use for decoration and a small tray for serving a few snacks or drinks with. There was a lot more to choose from. I don’t think I can even discuss it without wanting to go back there and buy it all up! Oh dear…..where is my checkbook…Jerry?