A tan colored squirrel with a long fluffy tail is high up in a tree, standing precariously on very slender branches, staring at a bunch of tiny pink flowers.

Fox Squirrel, wondering why the tastiest flowers are always on the thinnest branches. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. January, 2026. OM System OM-1 M.Zuiko 300mm F4 #laarboretum #squirrels #animal #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up of the head and neck of a juvenile California Gull, facing to the left. The bird's feathers are white, with brown patches.

California Gull. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California,USA. October, 2025. OMSystem OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO + MC14 #moonstonebeach #cambriacalifornia #seagull #gull #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Sandpiper walking on the wet sand, with the surf in the background. The bird's reflection is visible on the wet sand.

Long-billed Curlew (Sandpiper)and reflection strolling on the sand. Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, California, USA. #sandpiper #curlew #longbilledcurlew #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

A pink rosebud, partially open seen from the side and slightly above, is starting to open. The background is out of focus.

Partially open pink Rose. Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California, USA. December 2025. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO. #rose #rosebud #descansogardens #flower #bloomscrolling #nature #garden #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up of the head and shoulders of a juvenile western gull, facing to the left, against an out of focus green background. The bird's feathers are a mix of white and brown, and its bill is dark grayish black.

Juvenile Western Gull. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. OM System OM-1 M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO MC14. #moonstonebeach #cambriacalifornia #seagull #gull #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A yellow rosebud, seen from the side, is starting to open. The background is out of focus and a mixture of dark and light green, with some blue sky at the top.

Yellow Rosebud. Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California, USA. December, 2025. OM System OM-1 M.Zuiko 90mm F3.5. #rose #rosebud #descansogardens #flower #bloomscrolling #nature #garden #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Seagull standing on a tan-colored rock, facing to the left, with the (out of focus) ocean and surf in the background.

Western Gull standing on a rock while contemplating the ocean. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. #moonstonebeach #cambriacalifornia #seagull #gull #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A pink rosebud, starting to open, is in the foreground. In the background is an out of focus red rosebud. All against an out of focus green background.

Pink Rosebud starting to open Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California, USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO. #rose #rosebud #descansogardens #flower #bloomscrolling #nature #garden #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up of a pot marigold flower, with lots of overlapping orange petals, turning more yellow towards the center of the flower. There are water droplets on some of the petals.

Pot Marigold, with water droplets. Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, California, USA. December, 2025. #descansogardens #marigold #potmarigold #flower #flowers #bloomscrolling #nature #naturephotography #amateur #amateurphotography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close up of dragonfly, hanging on the side of a branch, against an out of focus green background. The dragonfly's body is bright reddish orange. The wings are lacy and transparent, shading from reddish near the body to clear at the wingtips.

Flame Skimmer Dragonfly hanging onto a branch with its mandibles. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October 2025. #laarboretum #dragonfly #flameskimmer #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close up of a western gull, standing against a bright blue sky. The bird is standing on one foot, with its head lowered, and using the other foot to reach up towards its head for a scratch. The gull's head, neck and tummy are covered in pure white flowers, while its back is dark gray. The beak is yellow, with a red spot on the tip.

Western Gull scratching an itch. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California,USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO. #moonstonebeach #cambriacalifornia #seagull #gull #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close up of the chest and head of a Western Gull, with white feathers on the chest, dark feathers on its back, and a yellow beak with a red spot near the tip. The bird is looking to the right so that its right eye is facing the camera. The background is a bright blue clear sky.

Western Gull looking around. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California,USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO. #moonstonebeach #cambriacalifornia #seagull #gull #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Brown Pelican flying low over the blue/green ocean waves. There is a wave breaking in the background.

Brown Pelican flying low over the waves. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Cambria, California, USA. October, 2025. #fiscaliniranchpreserve #cambriacalifornia #pelican #birdinflight #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up photo of a squirrel, facing the camera, using its front paws to hold a red, wrinkled berry-like fruit up to its mouth. The squirrel is peeking out from behind an out-of-focus red sign. No words are visible on the sign.

Squirrel, eating a berry while hiding behind a sign in the garden. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4. #laarboretum #squirrels #foxsquirrel #animal #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up of an amaryllis belladonna flower. The petals are white with ping stripes. The background is dark and out of focus.

Amaryllis belladonna (Jersey Lily). LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4. #laarboretum #lily #amaryllis #amaryllisbelladonna #bloomscrolling #flower #flowerphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Three double-crested cormorants are standing on white-streaked tan rocks, with more rocks in the background. The cormorant on the left is preening its feathers, while the one in the middle is spreading its wings to let them dry. The one on the right is looking off into the distance.

Three Double-crested Cormorants taking a break from fishing. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. #moonstonebeach #cambria #cormorant #doublecrestedcormorant #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

A Great Blue Heron, standing on one leg on white-streaked tan rocks, with the blue ocean in the background.

Great Blue Heron, just hanging out on the rocks. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. October, 2025. #moonstonebeach #cambria #greatblueheron #heron #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Flock of seagulls in flight, filling the image. In the background is an out-of-focus rocky beach and ocean surf.

Seagulls. Elephant Seal Vista Point, Big Sur, California, USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4 + MC14. #raggedpoint #bigsur #seagull #flockofbirds #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Close up of the head and upper torso of a Brewer's blackbird, seen in profile, facing to the left. The background is tan and out of focus. The bird's feathers are iridescent black on the its head, and appear blue-black on the body. The bird's beak is covered in sand.

Brewer’s Blackbird. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 300mm F4 + MC14. #moonstonebeach #blackbird #brewersblackbird #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Close-up of large black syrphid fly on a bright yellow sunflower against a green out of focus background.

Mexican Cactus Fly (a syrphid fly — family syrphidae) on a Sunflower. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. OM System OM-1+M.Zuiko 300mm F4 #laarboretum #syrphidae #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A double crested cormorant, caught in flight with spread wings. The background is a brilliant blue, and out of focus.

Double-crested cormorant in flight. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. October, 2025. #moonstonebeach #cambria #cormorant #doublecrestedcormorant #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #océan #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Double crested cormorant, standing on a tan-colored rock, with the foamy blue ocean in the background. The rocks are streaked with white, and the background ocean is out of focus. The bird is facing to the left. It has bent its long neck down so it can reach up with its left foot to scratch the side of its head.

Scratching that itch. Double-crested cormorant, Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. #moonstonebeach #cambria #cormorant #doublecrestedcormorant #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

A double-crested cormorant is facing the camera, with a long white neck, and a brown belly and head. It is standing on tan colored rocks with streaks of white. The background is out of focus blue ocean.

Double-Crested Cormorant, hanging out on the rocks next to the ocean. Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. October, 2025. #cormorant #doublecrestedcormorant #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Sandpiper, with long legs, tan body with dark spots and patterns, and a long curved bill, walking in foamy seawater on the edge of the water.

Long-billed Curlew (Sandpiper) strolling in the surf. Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, California, USA. October, 2025. #sandpiper #curlew #longbilledcurlew #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Close up of the head, neck, and upper back of a Juvenile pacific seagull. The bird has a scattering of brown feathers mixed in with mostly white feathers. It is looking to the right over its shoulder, after being (inadvertently) disturbed by an obnoxious photographer. The background is out of focus green, tan, and blue.

Juvenile Pacific Seagull, waking up from a nap, Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California, USA. October,2025. #moonstonebeach #cambria #seagull #seagullphotography #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem # #mzuiko300mmf4 #mzuikomc14

Hoverfly perched on a very bright white flower. The fly has bright yellow markings on a black abdomen, and a black head and torso. The wings are translucent. The background is out of focus and tan colored.

Aphideater fly (aka hover fly) on a tiny white flower. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. #laarboretum #hoverfly #aphideater #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #photography #amateurphotography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A flame skimmer dragonfly, seen from above, resting on a green branch. The body and head are bright orange, and the wings shade from bright orange near the body to nearly transparent at the tips. The background is out of focus foliage.

Flame Skimmer dragonfly resting on a green branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. #laarboretum #dragonfly #flameskimmer #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Close-up photo of a squirrel, facing the camera, using its front paws to hold a red, wrinkled berry-like fruit up to its mouth. The squirrel is peeking out from behind an out-of-focus red sign. No words are visible on the sign.

Squirrel, eating a berry while hiding behind a sign in the garden. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. #laarboretum #squirrels #foxsquirrel #animal #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A red-whiskered bulbul, in profile, standing on the edge of a vertical signpost, facing to the left. The sign is light blue, and the background is bright green and out of focus. The lettering on the sign is white, but only a few letters are visible.

Red-whispered bulbul, standing on a sign. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October,2025. #laarboretum #redwhiskeredbulbul #bird #birds #birdphotographý #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

A gulf fritillary butterfly, with bright orange wings and body, with black and white markings, resting on a gray branch, with out of focus green foliage in the background.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, resting on a branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. #laarboretum #butterfly #gulffritillary #insect #butterflyphotography #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4