PaliTutor

Sharks and More Sharks

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:23:11 +0000

Great Whites seem to be migrating south bound for Mexico in large numbers and have made their usual pit stop at Sunset Beach coinciding with the Grunion runs and migration of schools of larger fish. Even though Sunset Beach is known as a “pupping ground” for Great White females, it’s highly unusual to actually see a large White. It’s not known whether the shark below is a female. Since this is a familiar area to them chances are it is a female. Usually females chase off any perceived threat to their newborns before pupping. Because as many as five other sharks have been seen in the area, I don’t think any births took place.

Despite all of this activity and the numerous opportunities for these sharks to attack scores of surfers at Sunset Beach and swimmers (including myself), there have been no reported attacks - ever! Of course, this isn’t to say that it could never happen. In the meantime, I swim close to shore.

Photographed from a helicopter this Great White was estimated to be 18′ but it it is probably the same 16′ that was seen previously.

Again at Sunset Beach a juvenile Great White, probably 8′, clearly not interested in the surfer.

Another juvenile. but slightly larger judging by the girth.

This 6′ juvenile was spotted off Santa Monica near Venice.

UCLA Sculpture Garden

Amy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:03:41 +0000

Once we set the kids free at the UCLA Sculpture Garden Logan and Marlo ran around posing like sculptures, exploring and discovering new ways to have fun. There are over 70 pieces including a large Richard Serra design that we loved so much.

The kids and me

Horse sculpture

Jean Arp, “Ptolomee III” 1961

Marlo running around Richard Serra’s “T.E.U.C.L.A” 2006

See, touch, taste

Listening to her echo inside “Torqued Ellipse”

Pretending ‘Torqued Ellipse” was a spaceship

David Smith’s “Cubi XX” 1964

Recreating Gaston Lachaise’s “Standing Woman” 1932

This is my favorite piece and Logan’s Pterodactyl pose made it better.

Logan

Boogie Girl

Amy — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:14:04 +0000

Marlo loves her boogie board. Alden and Logan raced Marlo up and down the beach this afternoon and although she toppled over a few times and had one big wipe out she laughed the whole time.

Girl on the run

Lucky girl

Happy girl

Bye, bye girl

The Sharks are Back

Amy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:59:42 +0000

Various sightings from a helicopter off Sunset Beach at Gladstones Restaurant. Three Great Whites were spotted at 12′, 14′ and 16′ in length.

Marlo and Me

Amy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:44:09 +0000

Seeing Dad off for a swim

Bye Dad.

Beach Babe

Amy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:31:12 +0000

Marlo loves jumping in the water and chasing waves.

Sand Pool

Jump, jump on her toes

Beach pebbles

Beach Babe

Saturday Stuff

Amy — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:43:48 +0000

Logan earned his 9th trophy this weekend and finished the soccer season off with 4 goals. We went to Village Books for a book signing by a local children’s writer, spent some time with friends at our favorite park and later watched Toy Story at Movies in the Park. Marlo was pretty excited to be out at night.

Jumping for the ball

Coach Alden and the summer team
Note: Marlo thought she deserved a trophy too

Lil Beauty

Climbing Trees

Catching Snails

Happy 50th Birthday to My Dad

Amy — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:22:38 +0000

We celebrated my dad’s 50th birthday today with a visit to the Japanese Garden on the CSULB campus, BBQ, and some fun on the beach with the kids.

Marlo at a tsukubai

Olivia and Logan jumping in front of the tea house

Logan

In front of the Koi lake

I love how much my son enjoys the water.

Happy to be in the water

Not even a wave can catch him

Body Surfing

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Leaping Lizard

Amy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:22:40 +0000

Logan is having a great time as a Leaping Lizard camper at the YMCA Summer Camp. He didn’t know any of the other campers, but he is fearless, friendly and loves to have fun.

Logan

Eager to participate

Freeze-tag

Superhero Firecracker

Amy — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:23:56 +0000

Logan made the cover of our local newspaper the Palisadean Post again this 4th of July! Back to back covers and this time he is photographed pedaling through the parade with my mom.