I can see why you enjoyed that drive more than your birthday! It's stunning scenery with the road right along the coastline. What an amazing panoramic view, it's a great place for a photographer like yourself to take in nature at it's finest. I think the view from the road would be my preference to the city with the beaches, less sand and the view is gorgeous.

Nice find on the birds, that zoom really makes a difference!

Ageing isn't for the wimps, that's for sure. They may be the golden years but so many things can go wrong that make life so much less pleasant. But, like you said, it is life and in the end such is life. Nothing is ever fair or easy, it is what it is...

Thanks for sharing those great birthday adventure shots!