A beautiful afternoon at the Living Desert

So, after school yesterday, I drove home, changed into my shorts, grabbed my camera, and made it to the Living Desert Reserve before their 4:00 p.m. closure.  The park is actually open until 5:00 and there were still quite a few people walking through the park in the late afternoon.  I'm such a morning person that I forget the long, afternoon shadows are so beautiful!  And, the park was very quiet.  No screaming kids!!!  I walked for an hour, leisurely strolling through the garden center and some of the bird exhibits.  It was so nice to have this time and space to myself!  I should do this more often.  Here are some pics from yesterday's stroll.

Fence post in meadow~Friday's Fences~101113

I drove out through Garner Valley last weekend to my favorite meadow.  There were a few other cars there and I didn't go much further.  I always enjoy this fence and view.  I didn't see any meadowlarks there, however.  I can't wait to see these mountains tomorrow, especially after our first snowfall!  Friday's Fences for October 11, 2013.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to this link:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

More fall leaves

More fall leaves on a Virginia Creeper.  Our local mountains, especially Idyllwild, got their first SNOWFALL yesterday!  Whoo, whoo!  That's EARLY!  Can't wait to see the snow this morning.  I'll take my Nikon with me today.

Red leaves~Virginia creeper

There's a little community in Garner Valley.  They aren't the 5 acre spreads and mini-mansions of the meadows, but a nice, close-knit little community of "regular" houses.  I often drive through that area to admire the houses and their gardens.  I found this Virginia creeper, which is already turning red!  I need to return this next weekend, or it will be GONE!  We are having an early autumn this year!  Anyway, aren't the leaves gorgeous?

African patio and shade

I LOVE all the shade at this patio in the African exhibit at the Living Desert Reserve.

Morning light in the desert

Okay...I have a window of Internet connection, so I'm going to post like mad.  I took this photo Saturday morning while waiting for our daughter and granddaughter to meet me at the Living Desert.  Can you see why the morning has a "golden glow"?  I love morning light!

First day of October

Thank goodness October is HERE!  And, our temps have dropped and are dropping.  Yesterday was mid-90's and by the end of the week, low 90's and high 80's!  Whoo, whoo!  I haven't had to turn on the air conditioner now for nearly a week.  Nineties here are quite pleasant, as long as it is DRY.  I read that Al, of the Bayfield bunch, is ready for a season of sunshine in Arizona.  Who wouldn't be, after a dark, damp, and dreary season?  I, on the other hand, am ready for some SNOW in our local mountains.  Yeah, that won't be happening for a while here, although I DO remember one year when they got snow on Halloween.  I don't know if they will have snow by then or not this year...Last year's snowfall was minimal.

Just a pretty mountain view this morning!  :-)