Autumn and pond~Watery Wednesday for 093009

I used to love to walk by this pond at the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, especially during autumn. It was always so calming! Watery Wednesday for September 30, 2009.

Cactus blossoms~Mellow Yellow Monday 092809

Our cacti bloom in the spring here in the desert and these were at the Living Desert Reserve. Aren't they pretty? Mellow Yellow for Monday for September 28, 2009.

A face only a mother could love? Camera Critters for 092609

Is this a face that only its mother could love? Do you ever have a day that you feel like this? Hehehehehe! Camera Critters for 092609.

Cahuilla Point~SkyWatch Friday 092509

When I drove up to see the horses last Saturday, the clouds were gathering and it was an opportunity for me to stop and take some photos. I stopped near Cahuilla Point and took this photo. I liked how the tree was silhouetted against the moving clouds. SkyWatch Friday for September 25, 2009.

"J" is for jacaranda~ABC Wednesday 092309

Here in the desert southwest, we have many jacaranda trees. They LOVE the heat. I have one in my back yard and in the spring and early summer, the purple blossoms are spectacular! I took these photos in Rancho Mirage last spring when the jacaranda were in full bloom. Aren't they pretty? ABC Wednesday for September 23, 2009. EnJoy!

4 wheelin'~That's My World for 092209

My husband took my car this weekend to drive to Santa Monica and left me with his. Actually, I traded my 1999 Honda Accord to our son for his 1997 Toyota Rav4, since he has the baby. While driving back down the mountain on Saturday, I decided to take the road up to Santa Rosa mountain, which is only negotiated by 4 wheel drives. It is a steep road with lots of bumps and ruts and is definitely NOT for regular vehicles! I pulled off at one point and took these pics looking west, toward the Indian canyons of Palm Springs and the San Jacinto mountains. I only went halfway up, since I was alone, but some time, when I have hubby with me, I would like to drive to the top. That's My World for September 22, 2009. Enjoy your day!

Apples~Mellow Yellow Monday for September 21, 2009

I stopped by the swap meet in the mountains on Saturday and the farmer's market was in full swing. Apples, strawberries, grapes, corn were all bountiful. These apples were especially beautiful and caught my eye. Mellow Yellow Monday for September 21, 2009.

Garden shadows~Shadow Shot Sunday 092009

I used to love to walk through the gardens at the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, especially through this patio in the garden center. Aren't the shadows pretty? Shadow Shot Sunday for September 20, 2009. For other shadowy pictures, please visit SSS.

The Color Purple~Sunday Stills Challenge for 091909

These delightful umbrellas are at the Paradise Corner Cafe, at Highway 74 and 371, which is the turnoff to San Diego. We stopped there for breakfast this morning and it was warm enough to eat out on the patio. What a great place for breakfast! Sunday Stills Challenge for 091909.

September sunset~SkyWatch Friday 091809

Hubby and I always keep an eye out on the clouds when we are up in the mountains with the horses. This afternoon there were clouds in the sky and when we glanced up we saw that the clouds were turning red and orange. Of course, we grabbed our cameras and were rewarded with this spectacular view! SkyWatch Friday for September 18, 2009. Enjoy your weekend!

Flowers last spring~Think Green Thursday 091709

I threw some African Daisy seeds out front last December and by April, they were in full bloom. I have a spot out in front of our wooden fence that gets full sun and LOTS of heat. I think I'll do it again this fall. They were so pretty!~Think Green Thursday for Sepember 17, 2009.

Whitewater Trout Farm~Watery Wednesday for 091609

Just a few minutes away from Palm Springs, off Interstate 10, is the Whitewater exit. If you take this exit all the way to the end of it, you will wander through the Whitewater River. At the end of the road is the Whitewater trout farm. Hubby and I visited it last February. They have several pools full of trout and this is one of them. Watery Wednesday for September 16, 2009.

Eisenhower Peak~Scenic Sunday 091309

This is the beginning of the inner and outer loop trails at the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, CA. I used to hike these trails in the afternoons. However, since my riding accident, I haven't been hiking much. I miss it and now that my back has healed, I would like to start again. Scenic Sunday for September 13, 2009. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see the trail wandering through the mountain in the wash.

afternoon shadows~Shadow Shot Sunday 091309

Late afternoon shadows at the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, CA. I used to love to take walks there in the late afternoon. Shadow Shot Sunday for September 13, 2009.

Sunset~SkyWatch Friday 091109

Interesting clouds at sunset here in our desert. SkyWatch Friday for September 11, 2009.

"h" is for...ABC Wednesday 090909

heron. Our valley is full of cattle herons. So, if you see one of these white birds near the golf course or on it, you'll know what it is! I see them in Thermal and the lower valley, especially out in fields, but I also see them in Palm Desert. They especially like the ponds and small lakes at various country clubs and resorts like Desert Springs. ABC Wednesday for September 9, 2009.

Eisenhower Peak~That's My World 090809

Eisenhower Peak can be reached through the outer trail of the Living Desert trail system. I hiked it once, years ago, with a hiking group (Ahhhhh....in my "younger" years!). But, on occasion, I still take the inner loop, which is about a 35 minute walk at the LDR. I can tell that fall is coming...our mornings are getting cooler, the days are getting shorter...the temperatures are dropping. Only 102 degrees today! That's My World for Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

Shadows on the fence~Shadow Shot Sunday 090609

This is my fence in early morning light. Shadow Shot Sunday for September 6, 2009.

monsoon morning clouds~SkyWatch Friday 090409

Now that it's September, we are finally getting our typical August monsoon weather. Go figure! I snapped this photo one morning on my way to school. SkyWatch Friday for September 4, 2009.

My garden~ Think Green Thursday 090309

It's early September and I'm already thinking about planning my fall garden. Last fall I planted sunflowers and they grew into mammoth ones like this. I would like to do that again, but put some sweet peas in front of them. My grandfather always grew sweet peas at our house and his were gorgeous and lush and sweet smelling! I don't have another fence to grow them on except the one out front by the street and I'm sure visitors wouldn't mind looking at a crop of sweet peas! Right? Think Green Thursday for September 3, 2009.

Quiet lake, Yosemite~~Watery Wed for 090209

We came across this peaceful lake right after we left Olmstead Point in Yosemite. It's not Lake Mary and I don't recall seeing a name for it. There were a couple of ducks on it when we stopped and an owl was hooting in a tree across from it, so we really enjoyed this stop. Watery Wednesday for September 2, 2009.