Hiking the trails along the cliffs and beach at Torrey Pines in San Diego is a unique experience. It's named for the rare Torrey Pine tree which is found only here on the cliffs overlooking the ocean and off the coast on Santa Rosa Island.
We arrived mid morning on Saturday, peak time for hiking, running, surfing, paddle boarding and hang
gliding. Although the marine layer shrouded the views, no one seemed to mind.
We were in search of some solitude for an opportunity to see some birds and stop to take photos. Instead of the "beach trail" which everyone takes, we found a trail with few people. To quote Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in the wood, and I took the one less traveled, And that has made all the difference."
Our chosen path was full of wildflowers overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Wow! Quite inspiring! Wished I had a sketchbook and colored pencils to capture the moment. Drawing takes more time and concentration than photography so you notice details more clearly.
When the tide receded, we were able to walk the beach. The only shorebirds we saw were Willets. They look quite different in their breeding plumage.
The cliff formations are fascinating with their various shapes and colors.
I scanned the cliffs for the Peregrine Falcon that we had seen when we were on the trails overlooking the ocean. Eventually, we found the fastest bird on earth high above the beach on a favorite rock.
After a short time of perching, it returned to a secretive spot, presumably a nest at the edge of the cliff.
Many thanks to Guy Fleming for his dedication to preserving nature in the 1920's! Without his inspiration and hard work, this place would not exist today.
