moonjazz's photostream  

At the local park I hike in the crows love to assemble as a large group just before sunset they fly in and find a few special trees sometimes they spend a few minutes and then head out to another spot. I love seeing them gather and hear them make there bird call. They are gathering to roost, crows will congregate in some area away from the final roosting site, usually an hour or two before complete darkness. Here the crows spend a lot of time calling, chasing, and fighting. Right at dark the main body of the group will move toward the final roosting spot. Sometimes this final movement is relatively quiet, but usually it is still quite noisy.They congregate in different areas, heading to one final staging area where they all coalesce, then everyone heads to the final roost. The final roost can be a cohesive group in a single woodlot, or it can be rather diffusely spread out over quite a wide area of suitable trees. its a survival strategy which brings on the old saying birds of a feather flock together.
Somtimes this grouping is called a murder of crows.

With 1441 rooms to heat the bills to keep the Schonburnn palace warm and cozy for the Habsburg princess might be a bit costly. Not to worry they could always raise taxes on the peasants, just like the rich do now. A great attraction to visit and learn some history .The palace is about four city blocks long with gardens, a zoo and much more. This was built as a summer palace and the last Emporer Franz Joeseph live here for 68 years from birth to death. Personally two bedrooms is about all I need to keep me happy and sometimes less then that.

The wild surf calls more then just surfers, there are still swimmers, string bikini gals, and families that brave the 58 degree waters, You should swim near a lifeguard station if waves are up as you will encounter those dangerous riptides too. Most ocean dwellers just wander up to their thighs or waist during the winter unless they dress in a wetsuit. Still its nice to see sunlovers in the winter months too in southern California.

Having fun at sunset out at Ocean Beach in San Diego. The north side of the beach is dedicated to pet owners. There is even a pet friendly motel right next to this area so you can bring your dog from out of town and go for a morning, afternoon, and evening romp at the beach.

Strong suf is usaully best during the winter months in southern California when the artic storms send rain they usually also turn our 2 and 3 foot waves into five, seven and sometimes a wild and wolly ten. Its always fun to hang out with the telephoto lens and watch the action. You have to be patient and lucky just like the surfers to get a good shot.