Life with Dylan

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  • A tree is just a tree … Or is it?

    Lately I have been fascinated with trees. All kinds of trees, but mostly tall ones with intertwining branches. Something about looking up at a tree and seeing the light come through the branches – it makes me wonder. Is it just a tree?

    I probably photographed over 30 trees last weekend while visiting a local park. I couldn’t help myself. Each tree was different and the sunlight was casting shadows through the branches in such a beautiful way.

    As I was photographing the trees, my son and I had a wonderful conversation about the trees. We didn’t talk about what kind of trees they were, but rather what they trees would say if they could talk.

    How old is the tree? How long has it been here?

    I wonder if there are initials carved someplace in the tree, or if it is a climbing tree for an adventurous child? How many branches has the tree lost in heavy winds or rain storms?

    Do the old bending branches hurt the tree? Is the tree sad when nobody stops to sit underneath it?

    Do trees live in families like these that we found all grouped together?

    These may seem like silly questions to you, but for my son and I these are questions that will keep a conversation going for hours. Why? Simple – we love animals and what would the animal kingdom be without a tree to call home?

    This is a picture of “Nutty” – he’s the resident squirrel that lives in the big pine tree outside our home. He has breakfast with us almost every morning. So you see, a tree isn’t just a tree – it’s a home, a source of food for some, and a place to eat your food too.

    Have you ever wondered if a tree is just a tree?

  • Endangered Species Monday: Black Rhinoceros

    Sticking with the theme of rhinos this month, today’s featured endangered species is the Black Rhinoceros. As one of the five remaining rhino species, the black rhino is one of three classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

    According to the International Rhino Foundation, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) has suffered from the most drastic decline in total numbers of all rhino species. The poaching epidemic ran rampant from 1970 to 1992 and the species decreased by 96% – from 65,000 down to 2,300 in the wild – that is a huge amount of rhinos killed.

    Illegal hunting and poaching of the black rhino for its horn have devastated the population over the last three decades. Its range has been reduced to scattered pockets in remote areas and reserves that are patrolled. In areas where poaching is common and not easily controlled, game wardens with the help of organizations like WWF will tranquilize the animals before moving them to sanctuaries. Dehorning the rhinos in some regions has helped to protect them from poachers, but there are mixed feelings about this form of conservation.




    Did you know?

    • The black rhino can’t see objects in detail beyond a range of about 100 feet.
    • The rhino’s horn is used in Asia as a medicinal ingredient and ounce for ounce costs more than gold.
    • The black rhinos prehensile upper lip helps it to grasp and eat vegetation
    • Black rhinos live 30-35 years in the wild, but 45 years or more in captivity. 
    • In 2011 the Western Black Rhino subspecies was declared extinct. 
    • The Black Rhino has two horns made of compressed keratin – basically hair and fingernail material. (Not medicine)

    To date there are approximately 4,800 black rhinos left in the world. Thanks to conservation efforts the species is slowly coming back from the brink of extinction, but the black rhino is not out of the woods yet. Stand up for rhinos on September 22 – World Rhino Day – and spread the word that rhino horn is not medicine.

    Find out what you can do to help save the black rhino by visiting these websites.

    WWF
    International Rhino Foundation
    Saving Rhinos

  • Sunset Sunday – Glorious Rays

    I try to never leave home without my camera, but on those rare occasions that I do I am thankful for my iPhone.

    Racing home from the opposite side of town I didn’t have time to get my camera. I arrived at Upper Newport Bay just in time to snap this picture with my phone. The cirrus clouds started forming around 4 p.m. and I knew the sunset would be amazing. I love how the sun is illuminating the clouds just as it sets. 

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take the time to watch the sunsets.

  • The benefits of slowing down and making some lifestyle changes

    Sometimes you need to take a step back – take a step outside yourself and look within yourself. When you do this it is easier to see what changes need to be made. Sometimes the change can be small and other times the change can be quite drastic.

    Just as the clouds change and draw our attention to the sky, lifestyle changes can bring our attention back to the important things. Back to the basics. 

    Change allows us to see things from a different perspective. What is causing so much stress? What can I do to relax more? Do I really need that in my life? Sometimes we are forced to make changes due to financial situations, but the changes that we make because we want to change something – those are the best kind of changes.

    Over the past week I have made some drastic lifestyle changes. I have made a conscious effort to remove stress and all drama from my life. I’ve decided to slow down a bit and spend more time reflecting on the important things. Now while these things may not be important to you, they are important to me. It does not matter how many times people tell you to change something, the change will not matter, nor will the change become a permanent lifestyle change unless you make the decision to change yourself.

    First things first, I had to remove what was causing me the most stress and taking away from the peace I so badly wanted in my life. Getting rid of the drama and “fake” friends was top on my list.
    Removing the drama was actually very easy. Just the click of a mouse – delete, unfriend, unfollow. While this may sound harsh, it was necessary and needed. Taking time for me – well, that was a simple as getting up a little earlier to enjoy the sunrise. Eating better has also made a significant difference in how my son and I feel. Diet and exercise, even if it is just walking to watch the sunset have brought a sense of peace to my days.

    Slowing down meant taking time to read and spending less time on the internet. Less time watching television. Canceling cable took care of wasted time and saved me over $100 a month. A co-worker gave me a great book to read, Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey, and I have never felt better about spending or saving money.

    Most importantly, I learned that I had to make the changes for myself. I am 42 years old and shouldn’t have to answer to anyone but myself. Therefore, I am slowing down and enjoying the lifestyle changes I chose.

    Whatever the case may be, change is always good.

    What changes can you make in your life to be happier?

  • Quiet mornings and beautiful sunrises

    Something I will be doing more of is getting up 30 minutes before my son. The precious time where nothing matters but me – yes, I said it – Me Time. Even if all I get to do is go to the bathroom, make my coffee, and watch the sunrise in peace and quiet then that will be good enough for me.

    This was my morning view from my bedroom window.  Beautiful, quite, peaceful.

    What do you do to get some me time away from the kids?

  • Endangered Species Monday – Northern White Rhino

    For some September means back-to-school and the hopes of a new fall wardrobe. For me, September means something a little different. It means a month filled with creating awareness and celebrating the beautiful rhino on World Rhino Day, September 22.

    This year marks the Third Annual World Rhino Day. In 2010 the WWF-South Africa announced World Rhino Day and the following year it became an international success with the joint effort of Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishawke Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota-Larson of Saving Rhinos is the United States. Encompassing both African and Asian rhino species, World Rhino Day both celebrates the beautiful rhino and educates people about the myths of rhino horn. Rhino horn is not medicine.

    Each Monday I will  be featuring a different endangered species and what better way to start this new weekly post series than with the rhino. Sadly, the Northern White Rhino is all but gone.

    Nola resting at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park – May 2012

    With only seven left in the world, two (Nola and Angilfu) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, one (Nabire) at the Dvůr Králové Zoo, and four (Sudan, Suni, Najin, and Fatu) living at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where they are protected from poachers, this subspecies is tragically coming to an end.

    Javan Rhino – Sumatran Rhino – Greater One-Horned Rhino – Black Rhino – White Rhino
    5 Rhino Species Forever


    For more information about World Rhino Day events in your area visit WorldRhinoDay.org and to get the latest news, information, and educational content about rhinos visit SavingRhinos.org

    Photo credit: World Rhino Day poster image is courtesy of Saving Rhinos LLC

  • Sunset Sunday – Cotton Candy Pink

    I love sunsets – who doesn’t? I mean really, sunsets are not only beautiful to look at, but watching the sunset is such a wonderful way to let all of the stress from the day just float away. I like to think that just as the sun is setting and disappearing behind the horizon, so are all my problems and stress from the day.

    Starting today, every Sunday I will be posting a picture of my favorite sunset from the week as a way to share the beauty of Mother Nature – hence the name Sunset Sunday.

    Rather than focusing on the sun, I took this picture that focuses on the clouds. The setting sun reflecting on the clouds reminds me of pink cotton candy.

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take the time to watch the sunsets.

  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tiger Trail Challenge Update

    Many of you have been following Dylan’s birthday wish for the tigers at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and have asked for updates. Well, this update has me beaming with pride for more reasons than one.

    I received an email yesterday from one of my contacts at the Zoological Society of San Diego about Dylan’s fundraising and couldn’t believe what I was reading. I found out that Douglas Myers, CEO of the Zoological Society of San Diego, referenced Dylan as an inspiration for others to donate to Tiger Trail during a luncheon earlier this month. Really? My child was named as an inspiration by the CEO? Not only is this super cool, but it makes me proud and humbles me as a mom.

    Since my last post about his fundraising, Dylan has received more donations and has now raised over $1,300 for the tigers. With the match from the anonymous donor, this money will mean so much for the tigers. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is so close to making the goal, but they still need our help.

    Here is a current screen shot showing how close they are. More than half way with a little over 120 days to go. It’s truly amazing and so inspiring to know people are helping the species survive.

    With fewer than 350 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, watching this bar graph move closer to the $2 million goal gives me hope. Thanks to the help of my son’s birthday wish, friends and family who donated, and people all over the world who have helped make this happen, the Safari Park has announced that they look forward to groundbreaking in 2013.

    If you wish to help Dylan raise more money for the tigers please read Dylan’s Birthday Wish for the Tigers

  • The simple beauty of a flower petal

    Photography allows me to see the simple beauty in things that I never noticed before.

  • Spend an extra hour at the San Diego Zoo this holiday weekend

    I can’t think of a better way to spend the last weekend of summer than at the San Diego Zoo. Nighttime Zoo allows guests to stay until 9 p.m. and see the animals after dark; but during the upcoming holiday weekend, the San Diego Zoo will open one hour earlier – at 8 a.m. on September 1, 2, and 3

    This will be the first time the San Diego Zoo has opened early specifically for a holiday weekend.

    Guests who arrive early will be able to take bus tours starting at 8:15 a.m. and the popular Skyfari aerial tram will be open to take guests to the far side of the Zoo starting at 9 a.m.

    The Skyfari is more than just a fast way to get from one side of the zoo to another. It is a relaxing ride that gives guests the opportunity to view the zoo grounds from high above. Not to mention the breathtaking views of the surrounding areas.
    Best of all, the Skyfari lets you off right by the Polar Bears!

    Opening an hour early will allow guests the opportunity to spend more time with the zoo’s animals and take part in the special Nighttime Zoo activities. I love Nighttime Zoo for many reasons and the family friendly atmosphere is one of them.

    The Monkey Stilt Walkers are my favorite!

    I can’t choose just one favorite animal, but if there is one thing I can recommend that you don’t miss while visiting the San Diego Zoo, it would be Tikal and Maderas – the baby jaguar cubs.