If you look closely you will see a sea otter cleaning himself in the water at the edge of the bank. He's just hanging out in front of the elephant seals and having fun. This is another photo from my Elkhorn Slough adventure. This was one of the first times I could get really close to sea otters in the wild. I've been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to see them but it's not the same as seeing them in the wild. The experience really confirmed how playful sea otters are and they seem to enjoy life so much. I imagine that being a sea otter wouldn't be too bad.

My favorite birds are herons and Egrets. I think they are so magical. While touring Elkhorn Slough I spotted this Great Egret sitting on the bank absorbing some sun. He was a little far away so I wasn't sure that I could capture him with my camera. But to my delight I was able to do just that!

These ducks were so funny! This photo is one of the best I've ever taken. I love it so much that I enlarged it, framed it and put it on my living room wall. Some people think that it looks like the duck has been cut in half and part of his body is to the right while the other part of his body is facing down in the water. I love the composition of this photo. Those duck feet are just a kick! (No pun intended).

While I was playing with my children in the park I spotted orange dragonflies. I've never noticed them before. In fact, I didn't realize that we had anything but blue dragonflies in Santa Cruz. Luckily this little guy was relaxing on a piece of dry grass while I focused my zoom lens on him a few feet away. Isn't he beautiful?

Here is a picture of my "dead leaf mantis" named Persephone. No, she is not dead, she just looks like a dead leaf, hence the name. She is very social and curious. My new friend (from class) Carol Andredesz got me started on my adventures with mantis and now I am addicted! Thanks Carol...

If Groucho Marx had been a librarian I think he would have already taken this blog name.

Regarding the word "licentious" (see previous post) and how it relates to rules and standards.....Okay, maybe I spoke too soon. I'm a librarian (or almost) so how can I make a comment about not accepting rules & standards? It seems to contradict the very nature of our work doesn't it ? *** I can't help but express my radical, anarchist nature. So maybe I'll accept most standards and a few rules.

How about this:

Licentious Librarians For Rules & Standards: Counter-Intuitiveness is Our Specialty

An enigma (from Greek αἴνιγμα, plural enigmas or enigmata) is a puzzle, something mysterious or inexplicable, or a riddle or difficult problem. The word can also be used to describe a mysterious or secretive person. (Thanks Wikipedia)

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Anticipated question about my blog title...

"Why did you name your blog: The Licentious Librarian?"

Answer: I'm trying to break the stereotype of the spinster librarian. By the way, I prefer the second definition of licentious:

2. Having no regard for accepted rules or standards.