Palo verde~SkyWatch Friday~040111

As I was out for one of my afternoon walks, I was actually looking off another direction when I heard bees above me! I looked up to see this beautiful palo verde tree covered with yellow blossoms. The palo verdes here in the desert are all blooming right now and they are gorgeous! They only bloom for a couple of weeks, then the blossoms fall off and they go back to looking like green sticks. I have two of them out front and a two-year-old one out back, but it doesn't have any blossoms yet. SkyWatch Friday for April 1, 2011. To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

What went on here last night?~Nature Notes~033111

Hmmmm....I wonder what happened here last night! Maybe this fellow can tell us? Actually, I love bending over and studying footprints in the sand and trying to figure out what happened. It looks like a lizard went by...see the line in the sand? And, there are rabbit prints, too! And, at one point, I believe I found raccoon prints, coming up from the water course. Finally, I saw some mouse prints! Most of these were up on the berm above the water course. And, in the afternoons, about 4:30 p.m., the jackrabbits and cottontails come out to munch on the sweet grass of the course! The golf course and surrounding areas are busy in the dawn and at dusk! Nature Notes for March 31, 2011. To visit Nature Notes, go to: http://ramblingwoods.com/

Trees in a row~Outdoor Wednesday~033011

While out walking one afternoon, I spotted these trees all lined up in a row. Aren't they pretty? It's so relaxing to walk in the afternoons now! But, our temps are rising and it should be 96 degrees tomorrow! Ack! By the weekend, they should be down to the mid-80's. Outdoor Wednesday for March 30, 2011.

Living Desert Reserve~Macro~That's My World 032911

Over the weekend I visited the Living Desert Reserve here in Palm Desert twice. One Saturday, I renewed our annual membership ($90 this year, up from $65 last year!) and spent the morning focusing on the blooming flowers and cacti and taking macro shots. I returned Sunday morning to do the same. I've previously always done landscapes, but this time, since I have a macro lens, I really focused on what was blooming. Here are some of the things I saw this weekend. I hope you enjoy them! It was a whole different perspective of my world. That's My World for Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

Pink cactus blossoms~Cactus Monday~032811

These pretty cactus blossoms were open yesterday when I went to the Living desert Reserve. I see these opening up all around the desert and I've even spotted a few up by Deep Canyon. Cactus Monday for March 28, 2011. To view Cactus Monday, please go to: http://painteddaisies.blogspot.com/

Photo Sunday~"Sun"~~032711

I frequently take a walk by the city-owned golf resort in the mornings, but Friday I had to get to school, so I went in the afternoon and saw the sun's reflection on one of their water courses. Photo Sunday, "sun", for March 27, 2011. To visit Photo Sunday, go to: http://photosunday.net/

"blue"~Sunday Stills Challenge 032711

While wandering around the Living Desert Reserve's plant garden yesterday, I came upon this tree. It didn't have a tag and I have no idea what it is, but I sure liked it! I was actually there looking for a Hong Kong orchid tree, like the one at my school. I've also seen them planted here and there in the Coachella Valley, and they do very well in our climate. I'm afraid I'm going to have to go to the most expensive nursery here in town...Mollers... (gag!), but I may just contact my neighbor, who is a landscaper, and she if she can track one down for me. But, I enjoyed this one yesterday and its beautiful, blue blossoms (how's that for alliteration?) Sunday Stills Challenge for March 27, 2011.

Shadows on the Wall~Shadow Shot Sunday~032711

These fake geckos were on the wall at the Living Desert Reserve's garden department and I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of them for Shadow Shot Sunday. Please go to: http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

Desert verbena~Live Every Moment, Fabulous Friday, Macro Friday 032511

It was a beautiful afternoon today, about 70 degrees, with blue sky and a few scattered clouds, so I went off for an afternoon walk. The desert is now becoming alive with all kinds of plants that are starting to bloom, including the desert verbena, which is very fragrant. I stopped to take a photo of this one in the afternoon light and shade. Fabulous Friday, Live Every Moment, Macro Friday for March 25, 2011. To visit Macro Friday, please go to: http://www.bloggingfrombolivia.com/ To visit Fabulous Friday, please go to: http://mcdougallphotography.blogspot.com/ and to go to Live Every Moment, please go to: http://liveeverymom.blogspot.com/

The coming storm~Skywatch Friday 032511

Another storm is heading our way and MORE snow is forecast for our local mountains. So, yesterday afternoon I headed up the mountain highway so see what was in store for us! This gigantic, dark, heavy cloud was hanging over the canyon, but by the time I turned around to go home and back down the road, it was gone. And, today was clear! But, the winds are now kicking up and we may be getting showers tomorrow. SkyWatch Friday for March 25, 2011. To visit SkyWatch Friday, go to:
http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Orange daisy~Simple Pleasures~032511

I got home early enough one afternoon this week to go admire my African daisies which I planted out front. Alas, they are slowly fading and are going to seed. But, this bright orange one caught my eye and I leaned over to take its picture before it withered and went to seed, just like the others. I think they only have a week to ten days left, then I'm going to have to pull them all out and mow over that patch of beauty in my front yard...sigh...such a simple pleasure, a single flower. Simple Pleasure for March 25, 2011. Doesn't it give you some joy, too? Oh, yes...I DO save the seeds for the next year's planting! To visit Simple Pleasures, please go to: http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/p/simple-pleasures.html

Another storm coming in~Nature Notes~032411

Another storm is moving into our valley and mountains tonight, so I headed up the mountain so see the view and the lovely afternoon light. I'm finding that I really like afternoon light! And, I really like driving up the mountain by Deep Canyon in the afternoons, after school. First, the drive relaxes me and second, I find myself marveling at all nature has to offer. Today, two ravens followed me for a while back down the mountain road! I couldn't pull over because there was a car behind me, but for a while, we drifted down the road together. I glanced out the passenger window and saw one with its claws stretched out. I never know what I'm going to see driving up and down the mountain and each trip is unique. Nature Notes for March 24, 2011.

Clouds spilling over mountains~Outdoor Wednesday 032311

Here in our valley, when we have a storm moving into the valley, the clouds frequently are seen "flowing" or spilling over the mountains. I caught them doing just that yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure if there is a scientific name for this, but it sure can be pretty, don't you think? I just stood and watched them move. It's surprising how such a simple thing can be so calming. Outdoor Wednesday for March 23, 2011. To see other participants, please visit: http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Mountain snow~That's My World 032111

A storm moved into the desert and our surrounding mountains yesterday and all day, at school, I watched the mountains. By the end of the day, I was anxious to leave on time (for once!) and drive up Highway 74 to see the snow. I didn't have very far to drive...this is only about 8 minutes up the mountain. It was snowing on the higher elevations of the Santa Rosa mountains. It was very quiet up there~windy and cold, but quiet. That was a nice change for the chaos of the day! That's My World for Tuesday, March 22, 2011.

Sunflower and worm~Mellow Yellow Monday 032111

Yesterday was such a dull and dreary day here that I went outside with my camera to take a couple of photos of one of my sunflowers out by the fence, when to my horror, I saw a WORM on it! ACK! Something has been eating the leaves and I've searched and searched and...there! Right in the middle of my sunflower, was a little bugger! (double click on the photo to enlarge it and see the culprit)! I put down my camera and grabbed the little critter in my fingers and OOPS! Down into the grass it went. It can eat my grass, but NOT my sunflowers! Mellow Yellow Monday for March 21, 2011.

Pinyon forest in the afternoon~Scenic Sunday 032011

I'm always amazed how different things look in the afternoon light, as opposed to the morning light and I took these photos last December while up in the pinyon forest during my Christmas break. The light just is a different color and it seems to spread out more. Have you noticed that? Hubby rode along with me because he was off work for the day. He just couldn't get into shooting photos, but I was intrigued how different "MY" mountain looked. Now that the time change has settled in, I'll be able to zip up the mountain and take afternoon photos! Scenic Sunday for March 20, 2011. To visit Scenic Sunday, please go to: http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Gray fox sighting! and update

A couple of weeks ago, I got up very early and headed up the mountain about 7:30 a.m. (pre time change...). The road was deserted and I didn't see more than two cars coming down or going up. It was a clear morning and as I rounded one corner, a gray fox ran out in front of me. Fortunately I wasn't going very fast (it IS a mountain road, as you all know...) and I had my camera beside me, but he was gone in an instant and I was unable to get a photo of the animal. It's the first time I've seen a gray fox up the mountain. I have seen a bobcat once and several bighorn sheep grazing by the road. I was so excited to see him (her?). However, this morning, I drove up about 9:30 am. (daylight savings time) and to my horror, there beyond one corner, was a gray fox which had been hit by a car. OMG! I prayed that it was not "my" fox, but who knows? I felt so awful that I began to cry and cry. WHY CAN'T PEOPLE SLOW DOWN? As I started up the mountain, a car had swerved out into my lane to pass another one, which is illegal. I constantly see motorcycles zooming up and down the mountain road, oblivious to the beautiful scenery around them, intent only upon speeding and proving how "manly" they are. To me, the death of this beautiful creature is such a waste. I'm guessing that it was hit early this morning...sigh...I don't know what else to say. This is NOT my photo...I found it on another website. That's all for now. It's just too depressing to even think about this.

Aspens~SkyWatch Friday 031811

Aspens fascinate us and we are always on the search for them. There are a few up on Highway 74, in Garner Valley, but not many. These are on the road from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. Even bare, they have a certain beauty. SkyWatch Friday for March 18, 2011.

Grand Canyon~An Adventure through Time~Nature Notes 031711

I've been to the Grand Canyon now six times and it never ceases to amaze me. It's like looking down, backward into time. And, to think that all THIS was carved by the action of water! If you double click on the bottom image, you can see a helicopter over the canyon. Doesn't it look tiny? Did you know that the canyon is 4,000 feet deep? It's just so incredible to see it in person. This was our first time at the canyon during the winter months and we saw snow hanging on the rim! Nature Notes for March 17, 2011.

Arizona wildflowers~Outdoor Wednesday~March 16, 2011

These wildflowers are growing along the road (Highway 60) outside Wickenburg, Arizona. We saw them this weekend driving back from Prescott to Palm Desert. Outdoor Wednesday for March 16, 2011.

Galloping horses~Color Carnival~March 16, 2011

Found this beautiful stainless glass in Williams, Arizona last weekend when hubby and I stopped there on our way to the Grand Canyon. Color Carnival for March 16, 2011.

Photo from the Heart ~Creative Exchange~031511

As we drove home from Prescott yesterday, we took Highway 89 down the mountains. This beautiful valley is Peeples Valley in Arizona. We stopped to admire the cottonwoods and spent a while there, just inhaling the air and listening to the bees in the cottonwoods. Creative Exchange for March 15, 2011. To visit the Creative Exchange, please go to: http://www.lgordonphotography.com/

Grand Canyon

Talk about rocks! Wow! I once took a class where the professor said, "Water always wins and that's why there is a Grand Canyon!" and, if you want to prove that, just visit the Grand Canyon. I've been there over 6 times now and every time, I just inhale and gaze at it! What a work of nature! It was high noon when we arrived, and it was a bit hazy off in the distance, so I concentrated on using my zoom lens to focus on the rocks. There still was snow on the ledges and alongside the road and it was neat seeing the canyon in winter.