Misty winter morning in Mount Burdell Open Space, Novato, California
Every morning I go with my sheepdog, Kona, to find beauty. Many days we simply walk out the door, down the street or up the hill behind our house.
Out the back gate in search of adventure on Cherry Hill.
Well actually, Kona is not in search of beauty, she just wants to go outside and have an adventure. I am the one who needs the beauty.
California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) leaves unfurling as it flowers in spring.
Beauty can be in the details. One March morning, while looking down the street and into the Rush Creek county park from my kitchen window I saw the Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) trees coming into leaf and was startled by the red blush. They stood out among the other oaks and I grabbed my camera and called Kona. “Let’s have an adventure!” and we walked across the street to witness.
At the other end of the Rush Creek park, where I have to drive about a whole mile to access the ridge trail, among the Blue Oaks (Quercus douglasii) I can always count on finding a photograph of those stout trees, and on those mornings when the sun is melting the mist – it’s simply divine.
Melting mist, Rush Creek Open Space October 23, 2025, the day that inspired this post.
Every day is different. Every day is a gift. There is beauty everywhere.
Winter solstice Dec. 21, 2016 11:57:14 a.m. – Rush Creek Open Space Preserve: 38° 7′ 32.75″N 122° 31′ 55.189″W
It has become easy to share these moments with the iPhone and Instagram which I thoroughly enjoy for its spontaneity. There is beauty in every day moments, everywhere we go. We just have to go – and open our eyes.
This blog includes some favorite photos over the past 10 years (note the one above is 2016, and with full disclaimer is the only one that is not taken with the iPhone. I set that photo up with a lot of careful planning). Followers who don’t know me very well have commented that Kona is lucky to accompany me on photo shoots to all these beautiful places around California. No, all these trails are in my hometown, and most of them within a mile of our home and many are accessible out my door, such as Cherry Hill behind the house or the County park down the street.
Kona contemplating winter mist on Cherry Hill.
Kona among wildflowers Wyethia angustifolia on Cherry Hill above Novato
Sunset over Mt Burdell Open Space from Rush Creek Open Space.
Now I must admit that I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth – Marin County, California where 80% of the land is protected open space with National Parks, National Monuments, National Seashore, State Parks, Fish and Game preserves, agricultural land trusts, and expansive watershed districts protecting our reservoirs. Equally important are the county parks the Marin County Open Space District, with with a total of 73 parks and preserves for hiking, biking, and equestrian trails close to everyone’s home and easily accessible.
We are proud of our county parks and the taxpayers have repeatedly passed bonds to buy more land. County parks are a way for individual communities to provide locals with access to nature and its beauty. One should not have to go to some far away place or signature travel destination to find beauty. Sometimes all you need to do is walk down the street and look at the trees.
Kona on Ammo Hill in Hamilton open space overlooking San Pablo Bay.
Accessibility to nature, to beauty is what inspires my work, and as a photojournalist and a gardener I know we can bring beauty almost anywhere there is sunlight, soil, and water. Most people do not live with so much natural beauty surrounding them, but most municipalities have city parks and county parks nearby. Below we see a creek which runs through the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, open space created because of its wastewater collection, treatment, and recovery. A very key component of green infrastructure.
Creek through Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District with Mt Tamalpais in distance.
It sure is a pleasure to have a dog that loves to go out on walks, and is so smart and obedient that she will pose wherever I ask her to. I find a bit of beauty – and ask her to walk into it and “Wait!” while I compose and get my sight lines straight with my iPhone.
Kona in Rush Creek Unit of Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area of California Department of Fish and Wildlife
We can and should make very strong arguments for green infrastructure planning, for more of the parks and that make cities more livable, but there is beauty in every existing park, you don’t have to travel far or do an Internet search. Go into a park in your hometown; find beauty in ordinary things.
Poison Oak wrapping around a Madrone tree in Rush Creek Open Space.
There is beauty everywhere if you take the time to look.
Rocks and autumn leaves in Mt. Burdell open space
Find a park and sit under a tree
Valley Oak tree (Quercus lobata) on Mt. Burdell.
Make time for yourself, nature is good for you.
Me on Cherry Hill looking to be sure the sun came up Nov. 9, 2016.
Nature is good for everybody. I am indeed fortunate to have so much open space near me, but there is open space near a lot of people. A lot of towns all across America have parks and open spaces. A lot of municipalities realize green is good, literal green infrastructure with street trees and parkways. Help make parks for others.
Man hugging street tree
Every so often I see this man hugging the trees outside the coffeeshop where I go every morning after the walk. It makes me so happy. He quietly goes up to the four Sycamores, pats them once or twice, and gives a lingering hug. You just know they are comforting each other.
Nature’s comfort is available to all and you should not have to go far to find it. Just go and you will find beauty. We all need it.
Walk with Kona on Mt Burdell February, 2025
