Fred, the surfing pinecone.

I stayed at the fabulous Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite a week ago and was totally taken in by the staff there. One a day bike ride my guide and I got into a discussion about pine cones. He said it was the #1 question he was asked about yosemite (can I take a pinecone home?). I'd heard this echoed throughought the park but I couldn't understand the fascination with pine cones.

The next day I went on an evening sunset hike and I had the same guide and driving back, at night, he stopped the car, rushed out, and got me this big mother pinecone. I named him Fred and later that night, my guide returned with some googly eyes and another guide gave me the idea of pipe cleaners. Later a whole bunch of us hung out in the pub and talked about Fred.

Fred came home with me and I made a trip to the art store to transform him from mountain tree droppings to la surfer cone. Today we headed out to the beach so he could become local and surf.

But sadly, right after this shot a huge wave overcame Fred and, being from the mountains, he was unable to navigate the waters and was taken out to sea. But it was one hell of a ride while it lasted.