Cactus Bloom~Cactus Monday and OutdoorMacro Monday 020711

These are blossoms on a cholla cactus. Or are they the fruit? I really don't know! These darn things are EVERYWHERE and if you don't wear hiking boots, LOOK OUT! I wear hiking boots and believe me, my boots have been covered with cholla spines, especially in Arizona, near the Superstition Mountains! These are also called "jumping cholla" because the vibrations of a passing animal or human make the cholla spikes "jump" onto whatever poor creature walks by. I'm very careful about where I put my boots and one time, in the Superstition mountains, hubby informed me that my boots were COVERED with these little evil things! So, BEWARE! Cactus Monday and Outdoor Macro Monday for February 7, 2011. To visit Outdoor Macro Challenge, please visit: http://livingtakestalent.blogspot.com/

Tahquitz Peak~Scenic Sunday 020611

Hubby and I spent the weekend in Idyllwild, CA this past weekend and early Saturday morning, I went for a walk around our cabin. We rented one at Fireside Inn and enjoyed a nice fire in the fireplace overnight. But, bright and early the next morning, I was out enjoying the blue jays, woodpeckers, and the antics of the gray squirrels! Oh, and a view of Tahquitz Peak, which rises up above Idyllwild. Scenic Sunday for February 6, 2011. To head on over to Scenic Sunday, please visit: http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Ocotillo bloom~Today's Flowers 020611

This is a pretty ocotillo bloom. The ocotillos, due to our warm weather, are starting to bloom up and down Deep Canyon. And, with all of our rain in December, they have greened up and are lovely right now! But, look out for the spikes on ocotillos! Today's Flowers for February 6, 2011.

Flowers~Macro Friday, February 4, 2011

Today I thought I would just share some color from the desert. All of these flowers were blooming last weekend. As I head up Deep Canyon tomorrow, I'm going to stop and take a look at some of the lupine which is now blooming there. Macro Friday for February 4, 2011. Enjoy your weekend!

SkyWatch Friday~February 4, 2011

These beautiful blossoms are popping up all over the desert and I stopped to take a few photos of these. Bees were busy visiting them and I had to be careful! The lower end of the Coachella Valley has had below-freezing temperatures, which have ruined the grape and potato crops, but by next week, we will once again be back into the 80's during the daytime. SkyWatch Friday for February 4, 2011.

Oak forest~Nature Notes 020311

As I drive up the mountain from the desert floor, I pass through an oak forest. It is on Cahuilla Indian land and there are many "NO TRESPASSING" signs. Sometimes I like to stop and admire the oaks. I took the top photo on landscape mode, but the second one was my first manual setting photo that came out without being either too dark or too light! YEAH! One time, I had pulled over here and down the dirt road, which intersects the highway, trotted two coyotes! By the time I leaned over to grab my camera, they had disappeared into the brush. It's a very calm and peaceful area and sometimes I just pull over, roll down my windows, and listen to the woodpeckers! Nature Notes for February 3, 2011. To see other participants' entries, please visit: http://ramblingwoods.com/

First of the month~February, 2011

The first of February I was heading up the mountain to buy some sweet feed for my horses. Very cold temps and winds were heading our way and I wanted to make sure they had some extra calories. I headed up the hill on a crisp, clear, but chilly day. I stopped to take some photos along the way. There are now some wildflowers and lupine blooming along the highway next to Deep Canyon and the ocotillos are green and blooming. It's such a pretty drive and I can't wait for this weekend, when I can stop and look and see what is happening along the canyon! First of the month for February, 2011. To see other participants, please visit: http://www.murrieta365.com/