Salt Pond at Alviso Slough San Jose

Pre-summer colors at the Alviso Slough salt pond, June 8th, 2026


Salt pond colors range from blue-green to deep magenta and are created naturally by the microorganisms when salinity levels increase. All Rights Reserved.

Spring Flowers (tidytips) at Mallard Slough San Jose

tidytops flowers at Mallard Slough San Jose April 2026


Layia chrysanthemoides or tidytips are herbs and a flowering plant in the daisy family native to California that are common in wetlands but sometimes in non wetlands. All Rights Reserved

Aharen Beach Tokashiki Island Okinawa

“Kerama Blue” and white sandy beach at Aharen Beach October 2025 All Rights Reserved

Cosmos Flower Bed in Matsudo Chiba

Pink colored cosmos November 2025
White colored cosmos November 2025
Cosmos flower bed in Matsudo, Chiba November 2025


Cosmos flowers are unique blooms that add color and charm to any garden, while attracting pollinators. Their colors are pink, orange, red, yellow, white, and maroon. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and native to Mexico or known as Mexican aster. Their flowerheads may be bowl- or open-cup–shaped. These beautiful plants can reach 6 feet tall. Spanish priests often grew cosmos in their gardens. Because they have evenly placed and orderly petals, they were named by the priests after the Greek word “kosmos,” which means “ordered universe in harmony.” All Rights Reserved


Amtrak Capitol Corridor #529 Auburn to San Jose 1-13-2026

Taken at the re-opened Alviso Slough Trail at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the Alviso District of San Jose 1-26-2026

Rock purslane


Rock purslane is a succulent with blue-green foliage colors and magenta flower colors and it’s dimensions are 12 in. high and 2-3 ft. wide. It’s origin is in Chile and can grow in arid conditions in the summer and spring. Rock purslane often grows in California in rock gardens. This perennial that grows for 2-3 years and it likes well-drained soils and away from too much sun.




Mallard Slough Alviso (San Jose)

Mallard Slough in Alviso (San Jose) on August 14, 2025

Summer at Alviso Slough Trail San Jose

Alviso Slough Trail salt pond in Alviso (San Jose) July 2025

Warm August Summer Night in San Jose Japantown

Friday August 8, 2025 in San Jose Japantown

Alviso Slough Trail SJ 2025

Alviso Slough Trail April 2025