A Happy New Year

Dear KosNet Friends

Can you see?

Hope you had a great new year's day. After spending wonderful new year's eve with my friend's family from OSU days, I enjoyed luncheon with my California parents (Dr. A who picked up Kos at SF airport at the very first time he came to US) and then I went to my KPMG friend's place to watch Rose Bowl. I was sad to see Stanford lost, but I know couple Michigan fun friends, so I am happy for them. On 2nd and 3rd, I went to Lodi California to watch Sandhill Crane with my friend. It was the very first time for me to go to that area of California and I was amazed with the completely different scenery, very flat,

With sunrise

some flooded area and many wineries. Cranes are active at sunset and sunrise, so we got up very early, dressed up warmly and waited. We saw thousands of birds, cranes, swans, geese, ducks.... It was amazing to see them flying out into the sky at sunrise. In Japan crane is a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and anything good, so this was a wonderful way to start 2014 and I am happy to share these pictures with you. I was able to see more clearly with binoculars, but this is the best I could do with my iPone.  OK, one more rest day and work starts from Monday.  

Naomi