Gate and fence in Idyllwild~Friday's Fences~052413

I found this beautiful gate and rockwork while driving around Idyllwild the last time we were there.  I enjoy driving around the town and viewing all the fences and gates.  Friday's Fences for May 24, 2013.   To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Vulture~Wild Bird Wednesday~052213

As I was leaving the horse ranch last Sunday, a shadow crossed the sky above me.  I turned and saw a lone vulture.  Immediately grabbing my camera, I turned and pointed upward.  Yup.  There it was!  I don't often see vultures up there, but when I do, I get very excited.  There was a pair that used to drift up and down Deep Canyon, but I haven't seen them for a year...maybe this summer?  There are lots of empty fields in Anza, as well as roads, so there's a food supply for the vultures.  Driving home that same day, I noticed a raven in the middle of a road, so I stopped, and yup...found a dead gopher snake that he was feeding on.  Wild Bird Wednesday for May 22, 2013.   To visit Wild Bird Wednesday, please go to:   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

Empty field ~ Our World Tuesday~052113

I love driving around the little town of Anza.  While there isn't much in the town (my feed store is there), I love to take a road and just see where it goes.  This one passes next to a vacant field which always seems to have the elusive meadowlarks.  I can hear them, but the minute I stop the car, they take off!  I sometimes do see ravens in the fields across from this one, but I have yet to capture one of the meadowlarks here.  It's a quiet, restful spot, don't you think?  Our World Tuesday for May 21, 2013.  To visit OWT, please go to:   http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Wind turbines~Sunday Stills Challenge~051713

Palm Springs is known for its wind turbines and these are just a few of them.  Actually, these are off of Indian Canyon Drive (see the road in the top photo)?  That street is often closed down on windy days due to the blowing sand, which you can also see in the top photo.  Do you know how LOUD those wind turbines are?  There are some up by Whitewater Canyon and I drove by them one day, got out to take a couple of photos, and hopped back into my car!  Boy, they are loud!  And, several of them are near homes!  Sunday Stills Challenge "W" for May 17, 2013.

Flowers from my garden~Today's Flowers~051913

I didn't have to go far for Today's Flowers.  All of these are in a sunny spot in my front yard.  The cosmos just started blooming about a week ago and yesterday I noticed several more.  There are plenty of zinnias coming up, so I'll have a BUNCH of them shortly!  I've already seen hummingbirds out there enjoying the flowers.  Today's Flowers for Sunday, May 19, 2013.  To visit Today's Flowers, please stop by:   http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

A quiet Saturday

Well, I didn't go anywhere yesterday...just too darn tired.  After two weeks of state testing and unscheduled fire drills Thursday, I'm worn out!  So, I enjoyed the beautiful weather yesterday, sat on our couch, read a book, and watched the birds in the front yard.  And, there were plenty of them!  Doves, finches, even grosbeaks!  I set up the hose to drip onto a clay pot and the birds eagerly drank from it and took baths!  I also caught up on my sleep...zzzzzzz.....It was a perfect day!  Oh, and my summer flowers have begun to grow!

Downtown Palm Springs~My Town Shoot Out~051713

Palm Springs is a great town for the senses, between the food and the sights.  When I went to urgent care a couple of weeks ago for my severe sore throat, I drove down Tahquitz McCallum Way and went out Indian Canyon.  I don't often get to Palm Springs anymore.  I used to work right on Indian Canyon, many years ago, before I had our two children.  I worked for a law firm and my office looked right up into the mountains.  I remember one time it snowed and the snow was ALL the way down the mountains.  It was gorgeous!  Now, I'm at the far side of the valley and I get to view these mountains on the way home.

Anyway, this week's challenge is senses, so I chose this photo of all the sights and colors on Tahquitz-McCallum Way and Indian Canyon Drive.  It's my first time on this weekly meme and if you wish to view it, please go to:   http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/