Time flies when you are having fun....

WOW, it is already Friday. Which means that my first week is almost over. Time flies when you are having fun....

Wednesday afternoon I went to the aquarium and started to sketch the giant octopus when I got home. I finished it yesterday, with pen and watercolors.

Yesterday after work I drove to Carmel. I took the scenic route, along the coast. An amazing sandy white beach in the middle of Carmel! The plan was to visit the mission in Carmel. I have been there last year, but was planning to sketch it this time. Well, I was dilly dallying around Carmel and never got to the mission. Maybe later.... Anyway, on my daily drive along the coast, I saw some blows out in the bay. Whales! Not too far from shore, I could spot some with my binoculars.

Back at home I drew a sea otter, with my Faber Pitt pens and added a little watercolor.

Today I drove to the Fisherman's wharf in Monterey. There are lots of sea lions, harbor seals and some pelicans near the wharf. I walked around, had a marvelous cappuccino (with real taste, sorry my US friends..) in an Italian coffee shop and I visited the Monterey museum. 

The Fisherman's wharf

A pile of sea lions at the wharf

I  booked a boat trip for tomorrow. The boat is leaving at Moss Landing and will visit the Elkhorn Slough. I have been here on my way to Monterey. Lots of wildlife, I do hope to get some better pictures of sea otters tomorrow.

Painting, walking and sight-seeing

I started with some small paintings in my handmade watercolor journal 5 1/2" x 7 1/2". First I made a watercolor painting using a reference image I took at the Santa Cruz arboretum last Sunday.

Then I created a watercolor of Pacific Grove. This is a very typical landscape/seascape in PG, rocks, the ocean, purple flowers and some cypresses.

And a watercolor of the little beach at Lovers Point.

Today I went to the Monterey aquarium. I walked thru Pacific Grove and took the recreation trail along the coast to the aquarium. The cottage I rent has 2 annual passes to the aquarium, which makes it easier to go only for a limited time. I visited a few exhibits, gazed at the giant octopus.... and went to 2 films/shows in the auditorium. One was about deep sea creatures (I saw some strange animals I never ever saw before) and a lovely story about Luna, one of the sea otters rescued by the aquarium.

I did bring my sketchbook, but it stayed in my bag. It was crowded and not so easy to find a quiet spot. But I took some photo's, maybe I will turn one into a painting.

Walking back I spotted many harbor seals resting on the beach, some seals resting on rocks and I did see a few sea otters today. The weather is perfect as well. This has been a great day!