Jackrabbit~SOOC Sunday~April 11, 2011

I came across this jackrabbit during my morning walk. I took two photos of him before he took off and cropped one, so that you can see the difference. That's the only editing I did. SOOC Sunday for April 11, 2011. To visit SOOC Sunday, please go to: http://www.murrieta365.com/

An unkindness of ravens

Yesterday afternoon it was GORGEOUS here in the desert. A storm was moving through and it was one of those days that people write home about...high thunderheads, vivid blue sky, light wind...ahhhhhh! So, after school, I took my afternoon walk. I heard the calls of some ravens and saw several of them after something up ahead of me. Did you know a group of ravens is called an unkindness? They had killed a baby gopher and were busy pecking it apart. They didn't appreciate my intrusion (as I walked closer to them, they merely moved a few feet away), and they kept their eyes on me. Upon my return walk, they soared right above me and near me! I managed to take quite a few photos (some of which were too blurry), but here are some from yesterday. It was interesting to watch the ravens and listen to their calls.

Flaming sunset~SkyWatch Friday~040811

I was outside in the front yard the other afternoon feeding the birds when I glanced up at the sky and saw these swirling clouds. I ran in the house to grab my camera, shot two shots, and the swirl disappeared! A storm was moving in and it's extremely windy here in the desert today. We had a few sprinkles last night. SkyWatch Friday for April 8, 2011. To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Butterfly~Nature Notes~040711

Last Friday afternoon, hubby and I went to the Living Desert Reserve and stopped by the butterfly pavilion. It was empty except for the butterflies and hummingbirds. (Of course, it WAS 104 degrees that day~) But, I was able to get close to one of the butterfly feeders and see this little guy! I didn't have my tripod or I would have zoomed in even closer, but it was interesting to watch the butterfly's long tongue go into the sponge and soak up the nectar! The Living Desert is having their Earth Day celebration this weekend, so it will be crowded, but I'll return another day for another look at the butterflies! Nature Notes for April 7, 2011. To view other participants in Nature Notes, please go to: http://ramblingwoods.com/

"L" is for leaves~ABC Wednesday 040611

I love photographing leaves and I found all of these spring leaves up at the Living Desert Reserve last week. Don't you just love the top one? It's from a sycamore tree and it's all fuzzy! "L" is for leaves...ABC Wednesday for April 6, 2011. To visit ABC Wednesday, please go to: http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

~Colorful~Pulling My Mask Off 040611

Colorful spring flowers in Rancho Mirage, CA. "Colorful" for Pulling My Mask Off challenge, for April 6, 2011. To view other participants, go to: http://pullingmymaskoff.blogspot.com/2011/04/photo-challenge-5-colorful.html

Red Bells~Ruby Tuesday~April 5, 2011

I found this beautiful bush at the Living Desert over the weekend. I believe it is some kind of salvia, but maybe someone could confirm this...David? HELP! There are many of these blooming right now and the hummingbirds love to visit them! Ruby Tuesday for April 5, 2011. To visit Ruby Tuesday, please go to: http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/