Mogollon Rim thunderstorm~That's My World~081611

Yesterday started out perfectly clear in Scottsdale.  As we were driving up the road to the Mogollon Rim, however, thunderheads were developing.  We arrived at our rented cabin about 10:30 a.m. and by 11:30, we had our first thunderstorm and rain of the day.  It was so refreshing to just sit on the back patio and listen to the rain and smell it. We took an afternoon drive over to Show Low to buy groceries for the week and this is what we saw on the way back.  This is the area of one of the many fires in this region.  The 2002 Rodeo-Chedesky fire was the largest in Arizona's history until this year's Wallow fire. The Rodeo-Chedesky fire was actually two separate ones that eventually combined into one. Tomorrow we are driving out to Alpine, which is near where the Wallow fire burned this July.  Thunderstorms are forecast for the week here, so I'll be taking more photos of the thunderheads. That's My World for Tuesday, August 16, 2011. To visit other worlds, please go to:  http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Water fun~Sunday Stills Challenge~081411

Obviously this isn't macro, but close-up.  These water things are over at the Desert Ridge Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona.  There is a pool and water play area down by our room.  The water play area has buckets that fill up with water and then splash down, as well as fountains for the kids.  What fun for kids!  The area with the waterfall has a kid's play area with sand, a slide down a gecko, and a fossil dig area!  I mean, if I were a kid, I'd sure want to come here!!!  And, early in the morning, both areas are full of quail, cottontails, and cactus wrens and doves.  I included the bottom photo so that you could see the entire water play area.  Sunday Stills Challenge for August 14, 2011.

Salt River~Scenic Sunday~081411

I got to use hubby's Canon camera yesterday!  He bought a new Canon EOS 7D, so he let me use his "old" one, a Canon EOS Rebel T2i.  Now, my first digital camera was a Canon "point and shoot" and I used that camera for about 6 years.  It went EVERYWHERE with me.  There's something about the Canon sensors which are different from those in Nikons.  The colors seem more true.  So, off we went to the Salt River, from the Bush Highway.  Yes, that's hubby in the middle photo!  Hehehehehe!  I always try to sneak in a few photos of him.  It was late afternoon and thunderheads were over Globe, Arizona.  By the time we stopped at AJ's to pick up dinner, there was a huge thunderstorm over that area.  I'm heading out for my morning walk with the Canon this morning.  It is a whole new mind-set and adjustment for me to be back using a Canon, so I'll have to get used to it! I still have my Nikon and hubby gave me his old D60, so now I have the two Nikons and a Canon.  Scenic Sunday for August 14, 2011.  To visit Scenic Sunday, please go to:  http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Sunrise this morning

Hubby woke me up at 4:40 a.m. today.  Now, hubby isn't a morning person.  He's quite the opposite.  He'll stay up until midnight and then wake up at 9 a.m....Now, I AM a morning person, but I was snoring still asleep at 4:40, blistfully unaware of what was going on outside our hotel.  A THUNDERSTORM!  Yes!  With lightning, rain, and thunder. So, of course, we both had to sit and watch it.  BOOM!  CRACK! FLASH!  It went on for over an hour, then headed west toward the California border.  And, we got some nice rain.  So, I headed out with my camera as soon as it got light.  Here are some pics of what I saw this morning.  Don't you just love a nice, refreshing rain???? I'm not sure where we are headed today...maybe out to McDowell Mountain to see the old ruins there???

On the way to Arizona...

We saw several dust storms or dust devils along Interstate 10.  I pulled over and hubby leaned out the window to take a few photos of them.  Then, when we neared the Gila Bend turnoff, we saw a huge rainstorm.  I can't wait for the sunset tonight!

Calm~Watery Wednesday~081011

A calm, morning scene at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert, CA.  I had to drop hubby off there a couple of mornings and I wandered around.  No clouds in the sky, but I like the clear reflection.  Watery Wednesday for August 10, 2011. To see other participants, please go to:  http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Looking for JUST the right spot~That's My World~080911

I love to watch my horses when they are led down to the arena.  This is their "free time".  They all love to roll and here is Sunni looking for just the right spot in a huge manure pile!  Apparently he found it TWICE!  He does roll all the way over, but after getting one side covered with manure, he got up and rolled the other side.  He is learning to THINK instead of just REACT and I'm proud of his training!  It was windy on this day and I took him out for some work in the round pen and other stuff.  I suddenly realized that the trees' leaves were blowing.  He did spook at the tie rack, but settled right down.  He also spooked a little while I was walking him up to the round pen.  BUT, he didn't spin and bolt.  That's a big step for this horse, who is VERY aware of his surroundings and worries about them.  He's learning to THINK and not just react!  I'm pleased to see this improvement in him...maybe it is just maturity?  That's My World for Tuesday, August 9, 2011. To see other participants, please go to:  http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/