Patricia Tavormina
@pltavormina.bsky.social
Retired scientist and teacher. Nature lover. Writer.
8.7 miles, keep going.
Here's the biggest group of mule deer yesterday -- how many do you count?
Should be seven in the shot; some are lying down. Separately on the hike, a BIG buck with four does, also a loner.
#hiking #nature #wildlife #noplanetB #deer #muledeer #hike #wildlifephotography
Here's the biggest group of mule deer yesterday -- how many do you count?
Should be seven in the shot; some are lying down. Separately on the hike, a BIG buck with four does, also a loner.
#hiking #nature #wildlife #noplanetB #deer #muledeer #hike #wildlifephotography
November 25, 2025 at 10:55 PM
8.7 miles, keep going.
Here's the biggest group of mule deer yesterday -- how many do you count?
Should be seven in the shot; some are lying down. Separately on the hike, a BIG buck with four does, also a loner.
#hiking #nature #wildlife #noplanetB #deer #muledeer #hike #wildlifephotography
Here's the biggest group of mule deer yesterday -- how many do you count?
Should be seven in the shot; some are lying down. Separately on the hike, a BIG buck with four does, also a loner.
#hiking #nature #wildlife #noplanetB #deer #muledeer #hike #wildlifephotography
#Hike 372 / 1463
8.5 miles
peaceful end-of-hike following a few hours on the #trail.
#noplanetB #nature #deer #muledeer #wildlifephotography #hiking #naturephotography #touchgrass #lifeisbeautiful #iseetreesofgreen
8.5 miles
peaceful end-of-hike following a few hours on the #trail.
#noplanetB #nature #deer #muledeer #wildlifephotography #hiking #naturephotography #touchgrass #lifeisbeautiful #iseetreesofgreen
November 13, 2025 at 2:51 AM
#Hike 372 / 1463
8.5 miles
peaceful end-of-hike following a few hours on the #trail.
#noplanetB #nature #deer #muledeer #wildlifephotography #hiking #naturephotography #touchgrass #lifeisbeautiful #iseetreesofgreen
8.5 miles
peaceful end-of-hike following a few hours on the #trail.
#noplanetB #nature #deer #muledeer #wildlifephotography #hiking #naturephotography #touchgrass #lifeisbeautiful #iseetreesofgreen
I've enjoyed seeing your mushrooms and thought of these posts yesterday. We finally had a few popping up, after a rare rainfall.
October 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I've enjoyed seeing your mushrooms and thought of these posts yesterday. We finally had a few popping up, after a rare rainfall.
Hike 339 / 1463
8.5 miles
Decided to post a mammal--a squirrel who scolded me relentlessly when I stopped to get water. Later, at home, I noticed something zooming through the frame. A bird, but what kind?
#noplanetB #nature #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #squirrel #photobombingbird #hiking
8.5 miles
Decided to post a mammal--a squirrel who scolded me relentlessly when I stopped to get water. Later, at home, I noticed something zooming through the frame. A bird, but what kind?
#noplanetB #nature #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #squirrel #photobombingbird #hiking
October 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Hike 339 / 1463
8.5 miles
Decided to post a mammal--a squirrel who scolded me relentlessly when I stopped to get water. Later, at home, I noticed something zooming through the frame. A bird, but what kind?
#noplanetB #nature #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #squirrel #photobombingbird #hiking
8.5 miles
Decided to post a mammal--a squirrel who scolded me relentlessly when I stopped to get water. Later, at home, I noticed something zooming through the frame. A bird, but what kind?
#noplanetB #nature #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #squirrel #photobombingbird #hiking
#Hike 320 / 1463 (22%)
Still going. We control what we can. Here's a red tailed hawk taking flight.
10.6 miles / 1550 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #raptors #hawks #naturephotography #southwest #landscape
Still going. We control what we can. Here's a red tailed hawk taking flight.
10.6 miles / 1550 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #raptors #hawks #naturephotography #southwest #landscape
September 22, 2025 at 1:10 AM
#Hike 320 / 1463 (22%)
Still going. We control what we can. Here's a red tailed hawk taking flight.
10.6 miles / 1550 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #raptors #hawks #naturephotography #southwest #landscape
Still going. We control what we can. Here's a red tailed hawk taking flight.
10.6 miles / 1550 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #raptors #hawks #naturephotography #southwest #landscape
Today's hike included seeing the same California king snake as a month ago. Good to see it surviving and thriving. Look at those pretty stripes. What great survival instincts.
#noplanetb #hiking #nature #wildlife #snakes #wildlifephotography #reptiles
#noplanetb #hiking #nature #wildlife #snakes #wildlifephotography #reptiles
August 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Today's hike included seeing the same California king snake as a month ago. Good to see it surviving and thriving. Look at those pretty stripes. What great survival instincts.
#noplanetb #hiking #nature #wildlife #snakes #wildlifephotography #reptiles
#noplanetb #hiking #nature #wildlife #snakes #wildlifephotography #reptiles
#Hike 284.
Climbed Mount Baldy, first time in a couple years. Close to 4000 feet of gain.
Not too bad. Stopped a few times for water; food; catch breath. Had some nice conversations w/strangers.
#Bruins XC team was running the trail, fantastic.
#hiking #nature #noplanetb #SoCalSixPack #MtBaldy
Climbed Mount Baldy, first time in a couple years. Close to 4000 feet of gain.
Not too bad. Stopped a few times for water; food; catch breath. Had some nice conversations w/strangers.
#Bruins XC team was running the trail, fantastic.
#hiking #nature #noplanetb #SoCalSixPack #MtBaldy
August 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
#Hike 284.
Climbed Mount Baldy, first time in a couple years. Close to 4000 feet of gain.
Not too bad. Stopped a few times for water; food; catch breath. Had some nice conversations w/strangers.
#Bruins XC team was running the trail, fantastic.
#hiking #nature #noplanetb #SoCalSixPack #MtBaldy
Climbed Mount Baldy, first time in a couple years. Close to 4000 feet of gain.
Not too bad. Stopped a few times for water; food; catch breath. Had some nice conversations w/strangers.
#Bruins XC team was running the trail, fantastic.
#hiking #nature #noplanetb #SoCalSixPack #MtBaldy
#Hike 282 / 1463
8.3 miles, 26 pounds
Training for backcountry & 19% to next presidential election. Head down, keep going.
Today=two-fer. Both snake & quail ran at my approach. (Humans are scary?) Quail ran into brush *with rattler.*
#noplanetb #hiking #birds #snakes #nature #wildlifephotography
8.3 miles, 26 pounds
Training for backcountry & 19% to next presidential election. Head down, keep going.
Today=two-fer. Both snake & quail ran at my approach. (Humans are scary?) Quail ran into brush *with rattler.*
#noplanetb #hiking #birds #snakes #nature #wildlifephotography
August 15, 2025 at 3:37 AM
#Hike 282 / 1463
8.3 miles, 26 pounds
Training for backcountry & 19% to next presidential election. Head down, keep going.
Today=two-fer. Both snake & quail ran at my approach. (Humans are scary?) Quail ran into brush *with rattler.*
#noplanetb #hiking #birds #snakes #nature #wildlifephotography
8.3 miles, 26 pounds
Training for backcountry & 19% to next presidential election. Head down, keep going.
Today=two-fer. Both snake & quail ran at my approach. (Humans are scary?) Quail ran into brush *with rattler.*
#noplanetb #hiking #birds #snakes #nature #wildlifephotography
#Hike 263 / 1463 (18%)
This is *still* not a great photo of a roadrunner, but hey, you take what you get. #Trail, #bird, #landscape. They've been around so much, last few months.
10 miles / 1800 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
This is *still* not a great photo of a roadrunner, but hey, you take what you get. #Trail, #bird, #landscape. They've been around so much, last few months.
10 miles / 1800 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
July 28, 2025 at 1:21 AM
#Hike 263 / 1463 (18%)
This is *still* not a great photo of a roadrunner, but hey, you take what you get. #Trail, #bird, #landscape. They've been around so much, last few months.
10 miles / 1800 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
This is *still* not a great photo of a roadrunner, but hey, you take what you get. #Trail, #bird, #landscape. They've been around so much, last few months.
10 miles / 1800 feet gain. Keep #hiking.
#nature #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
Fewer rattlesnakes lately. Used to see one every 10 miles or so.
Too hot? Do they taste good? I see their predators now. Lots of roadrunners. They grab, body-slam rattlers. I guess ... good food? Also king snakes, like here.
#hike #nature #snakes #wildlife #noplanetb #hiking #wildlifephotography
Too hot? Do they taste good? I see their predators now. Lots of roadrunners. They grab, body-slam rattlers. I guess ... good food? Also king snakes, like here.
#hike #nature #snakes #wildlife #noplanetb #hiking #wildlifephotography
July 12, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Fewer rattlesnakes lately. Used to see one every 10 miles or so.
Too hot? Do they taste good? I see their predators now. Lots of roadrunners. They grab, body-slam rattlers. I guess ... good food? Also king snakes, like here.
#hike #nature #snakes #wildlife #noplanetb #hiking #wildlifephotography
Too hot? Do they taste good? I see their predators now. Lots of roadrunners. They grab, body-slam rattlers. I guess ... good food? Also king snakes, like here.
#hike #nature #snakes #wildlife #noplanetb #hiking #wildlifephotography
What a beautiful little thing.
#hike #hiking #nature #noplanetb #caterpillars #butterfly #butterflies #milkweed #wildlife #wildlifephotography
#hike #hiking #nature #noplanetb #caterpillars #butterfly #butterflies #milkweed #wildlife #wildlifephotography
July 11, 2025 at 2:11 AM
What a beautiful little thing.
#hike #hiking #nature #noplanetb #caterpillars #butterfly #butterflies #milkweed #wildlife #wildlifephotography
#hike #hiking #nature #noplanetb #caterpillars #butterfly #butterflies #milkweed #wildlife #wildlifephotography
#Hike 222 / 1463 4.5 mi
Here's a cobalt milkweed beetle. I've never seen this species before, but this one plant? It had ~20 in various activities. All on one plant! The neighboring milkweeds had none.
#hiking #nature #bugs #insects #wildlife #NoPlanetB #milkweed #beetles #wildlifephotography
Here's a cobalt milkweed beetle. I've never seen this species before, but this one plant? It had ~20 in various activities. All on one plant! The neighboring milkweeds had none.
#hiking #nature #bugs #insects #wildlife #NoPlanetB #milkweed #beetles #wildlifephotography
June 17, 2025 at 1:41 AM
#Hike 222 / 1463 4.5 mi
Here's a cobalt milkweed beetle. I've never seen this species before, but this one plant? It had ~20 in various activities. All on one plant! The neighboring milkweeds had none.
#hiking #nature #bugs #insects #wildlife #NoPlanetB #milkweed #beetles #wildlifephotography
Here's a cobalt milkweed beetle. I've never seen this species before, but this one plant? It had ~20 in various activities. All on one plant! The neighboring milkweeds had none.
#hiking #nature #bugs #insects #wildlife #NoPlanetB #milkweed #beetles #wildlifephotography
#Hike 206/1463 4 mi (weekly PR! 60.3 miles)
Western Bluebirds are similar to eastern ones but have less white on the belly. This male perches on a live oak, part of a reforestation program in our area.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #bluebirds #naturephotography #happiness
Western Bluebirds are similar to eastern ones but have less white on the belly. This male perches on a live oak, part of a reforestation program in our area.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #bluebirds #naturephotography #happiness
June 1, 2025 at 12:34 AM
#Hike 206/1463 4 mi (weekly PR! 60.3 miles)
Western Bluebirds are similar to eastern ones but have less white on the belly. This male perches on a live oak, part of a reforestation program in our area.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #bluebirds #naturephotography #happiness
Western Bluebirds are similar to eastern ones but have less white on the belly. This male perches on a live oak, part of a reforestation program in our area.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #bluebirds #naturephotography #happiness
here's one of the babies in so cal
May 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
here's one of the babies in so cal
#Hike # 192/1463
11 miles
Roadrunners are uncommon to see, tough to catch--ask coyote!--here's one from today's hike. Funny birds. Old-looking, small dinosaurs.
It waves its tail for balance, display or warning.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
11 miles
Roadrunners are uncommon to see, tough to catch--ask coyote!--here's one from today's hike. Funny birds. Old-looking, small dinosaurs.
It waves its tail for balance, display or warning.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
May 17, 2025 at 2:39 AM
#Hike # 192/1463
11 miles
Roadrunners are uncommon to see, tough to catch--ask coyote!--here's one from today's hike. Funny birds. Old-looking, small dinosaurs.
It waves its tail for balance, display or warning.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
11 miles
Roadrunners are uncommon to see, tough to catch--ask coyote!--here's one from today's hike. Funny birds. Old-looking, small dinosaurs.
It waves its tail for balance, display or warning.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #birds #birding #roadrunners #naturephotography
#Hike ? (daily)/1463, 8.2 miles
Warmer weather brings out reptiles. Any day now, there's a good chance of seeing a rattlesnake. Here's a young one, and like 95% of encounters, has no interest in engaging. Senses me, gets out of the way. Pole for scale.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #snakes
Warmer weather brings out reptiles. Any day now, there's a good chance of seeing a rattlesnake. Here's a young one, and like 95% of encounters, has no interest in engaging. Senses me, gets out of the way. Pole for scale.
#nature #hiking #noplanetB #wildlife #snakes
May 8, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I missed your signing at B&N last Sunday (traffic) but glad to see a story about Anita Garibaldi. My bisnonno dug trenches for him in the 1860s.
I'll check out the podcast. Hope to connect--I'm local and also writing HF at the moment, early 1900s, Italian community in Brooklyn.
Happy Writing.
I'll check out the podcast. Hope to connect--I'm local and also writing HF at the moment, early 1900s, Italian community in Brooklyn.
Happy Writing.
May 2, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I missed your signing at B&N last Sunday (traffic) but glad to see a story about Anita Garibaldi. My bisnonno dug trenches for him in the 1860s.
I'll check out the podcast. Hope to connect--I'm local and also writing HF at the moment, early 1900s, Italian community in Brooklyn.
Happy Writing.
I'll check out the podcast. Hope to connect--I'm local and also writing HF at the moment, early 1900s, Italian community in Brooklyn.
Happy Writing.
Still #hiking daily, 50+ miles per week... and 10% through and counting.
Can you identify this hawk species? There's a pair that lives (nests?) in a palm tree in our neighborhood. Coopers, or Sharp-shinned? How can you tell the difference?
#hiking #noplanetB #birds #birding #hawks #raptors
Can you identify this hawk species? There's a pair that lives (nests?) in a palm tree in our neighborhood. Coopers, or Sharp-shinned? How can you tell the difference?
#hiking #noplanetB #birds #birding #hawks #raptors
April 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
#Hike #59 / 1445
3.0 miles
Birds are remarkable. It was great to see the meadowlark flash across the landscape (see it near bottom of left frame). As for sparrows, they're so easily dismissed but are really quite pretty.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
3.0 miles
Birds are remarkable. It was great to see the meadowlark flash across the landscape (see it near bottom of left frame). As for sparrows, they're so easily dismissed but are really quite pretty.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
January 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
#Hike #59 / 1445
3.0 miles
Birds are remarkable. It was great to see the meadowlark flash across the landscape (see it near bottom of left frame). As for sparrows, they're so easily dismissed but are really quite pretty.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
3.0 miles
Birds are remarkable. It was great to see the meadowlark flash across the landscape (see it near bottom of left frame). As for sparrows, they're so easily dismissed but are really quite pretty.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
#Hike #57 / 1445
6.3 miles
A few days ago, we saw the coyotes--two I've shared before--then we realized there were way more than two. We saw *seven* coyotes, enjoying a crisp winter morning together. Here's one.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #mammals
6.3 miles
A few days ago, we saw the coyotes--two I've shared before--then we realized there were way more than two. We saw *seven* coyotes, enjoying a crisp winter morning together. Here's one.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #mammals
January 6, 2025 at 1:37 AM
#Hike #57 / 1445
6.3 miles
A few days ago, we saw the coyotes--two I've shared before--then we realized there were way more than two. We saw *seven* coyotes, enjoying a crisp winter morning together. Here's one.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #mammals
6.3 miles
A few days ago, we saw the coyotes--two I've shared before--then we realized there were way more than two. We saw *seven* coyotes, enjoying a crisp winter morning together. Here's one.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #mammals
Well that's weird.
January 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Well that's weird.
#Hike #56 / 1445
7.6 miles
This inch-long beetle is a member of Eleodes, otherwise known as Darkling Beetles or desert stink beetles. They stand on their heads and spray quinones when threatened.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #bugs #insects
7.6 miles
This inch-long beetle is a member of Eleodes, otherwise known as Darkling Beetles or desert stink beetles. They stand on their heads and spray quinones when threatened.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #bugs #insects
January 5, 2025 at 12:48 AM
#Hike #56 / 1445
7.6 miles
This inch-long beetle is a member of Eleodes, otherwise known as Darkling Beetles or desert stink beetles. They stand on their heads and spray quinones when threatened.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #bugs #insects
7.6 miles
This inch-long beetle is a member of Eleodes, otherwise known as Darkling Beetles or desert stink beetles. They stand on their heads and spray quinones when threatened.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #bugs #insects
(Day 54: jog day)
#Hike #55 / 1445
5.6 miles
This towhee is banded (wears a band, or a ring). It's part of another census project in our area, like the mule deer a week or so back.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
#Hike #55 / 1445
5.6 miles
This towhee is banded (wears a band, or a ring). It's part of another census project in our area, like the mule deer a week or so back.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
January 3, 2025 at 11:27 PM
(Day 54: jog day)
#Hike #55 / 1445
5.6 miles
This towhee is banded (wears a band, or a ring). It's part of another census project in our area, like the mule deer a week or so back.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
#Hike #55 / 1445
5.6 miles
This towhee is banded (wears a band, or a ring). It's part of another census project in our area, like the mule deer a week or so back.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #NoPlanetB #birds #birding
#Hike #53 / 1445
7.1 miles
Bracket fungi on rotting wood. The fungal kingdom is very diverse with many species uncharacterized.
#hiking #NoPlanetB #nature #fungi
7.1 miles
Bracket fungi on rotting wood. The fungal kingdom is very diverse with many species uncharacterized.
#hiking #NoPlanetB #nature #fungi
January 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
#Hike #53 / 1445
7.1 miles
Bracket fungi on rotting wood. The fungal kingdom is very diverse with many species uncharacterized.
#hiking #NoPlanetB #nature #fungi
7.1 miles
Bracket fungi on rotting wood. The fungal kingdom is very diverse with many species uncharacterized.
#hiking #NoPlanetB #nature #fungi
#Hike #52 / 1445
10.4 miles.
A magical sighting to end the year.
Great horned owl. Content.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #birds #NoPlanetB #owls #verydemureverymindful #happynewyear
10.4 miles.
A magical sighting to end the year.
Great horned owl. Content.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #birds #NoPlanetB #owls #verydemureverymindful #happynewyear
January 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
#Hike #52 / 1445
10.4 miles.
A magical sighting to end the year.
Great horned owl. Content.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #birds #NoPlanetB #owls #verydemureverymindful #happynewyear
10.4 miles.
A magical sighting to end the year.
Great horned owl. Content.
#nature #wildlifephotography #hiking #birds #NoPlanetB #owls #verydemureverymindful #happynewyear