"Water"~Community Photo Challenge 080711

I stopped by the Marriott early this morning to drop hubby off and spent some time out with the flamingos.  This one had just dipped his/her beak in the water and I noticed a drop of water on its beak.  Community Photo Challenge, "Water" for August. Be sure to visit http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2011/08/cummunity-photo-challenge-water.html for other participants.

More flamingos~SOOC Sunday~080711

There were 3 flamingo chicks born this spring to the flock at the Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert.  I have to drop hubby off there this morning, so I'll take some new photos.  The chicks are the ones with the gray heads and gray feathers.  If you click on the bottom photo and enlarge it, you can see them and there is one in the second and third photos from the top.  I'm glad they all survived.  I seem to recall that a coyote once got in there and got a few flamingos a couple of years ago (they can't fly as their wings are trimmed)...easy pickings, I guess!  The guests always enjoy seeing this flock and so do I.  I frequently wander over there with my camera to see how they all are doing.  Isn't it a beautiful place?  SOOC Sunday for August 7, 2011. To visit SOOC Sunday, please go to:  http://www.murrieta365.com/

Life is good~Weekend Reflections~080611

At least for this flamingo, life is good!  What more could he ask for?  He's got food, water, companions, and a beautiful resort at the Desert Springs Marriott!  Life is good.  Weekend Reflections for August 6, 2011. To see other weekend reflections, please visit:  http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/

Pinyon afternoon rain~SkyWatch Friday~080511

Our last thunderstorm has moved off, but we still had high humidity here yesterday and it was 116 degrees!  Hubby and I (along with everybody else here in the valley) are pretty well thrashed today, and it is dry and 104 degrees.  That's quite a drop.  I drove up the mountain road to snap some photos on Tuesday because I always enjoy the cooler weather up there, especially when it is raining.  Everything is so nice and clean and smells so good!  Of course, right after I took this photo, there was lightning nearby.  Thankfully, no fires were started as our mountains are extremely dry this time of the year.  SkyWatch Friday for August 5, 2011.  To view other skies, please go to:  http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Last storm~Outdoor Wednesday~080311

Well, we had our last thunderstorm yesterday afternoon.  The monsoon clouds are heading out somewhere else and we have 7 days of clear weather ahead.  You know, I'm actually going to miss our afternoon thunderstorms!  We've had them now for 4 days.  I was sleeping soundly on the living room couch yesterday afternoon when I awoke to "BOOM!"...thunder!  I looked out the window and saw cloudy skies south toward the Santa Rosa mountains.  of course, I had to grab my camera and head up there!  These summer storms are extremely quick-moving, so if I see one, I have to immediately go!  I hit rain on and off driving up the mountain and this is what I saw at the top.  I noticed that later that afternoon, the storms had moved down the valley and across it to Joshua Tree National Park.  There are a few leftover clouds this morning, but the humidity is gone (thankfully)...both hubby and I are extremely tired today and it's from the humidity and not drinking enough water.  Outdoor Wednesday for August 3, 2011. To visit Outdoor Wednesday, please go to:  http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Thunderheads over the desert~That's My World~080111

Today began without a lot of clouds in the sky, but by afternoon, they were everywhere.  Thunder, lighting, RAIN, wind...a beautiful summer monsoon storm.  And, just look at those thunderheads!  I took this photo up in our local mountains, after I visited my horses.  They received quite a downpour of rain earlier that day.  This was probably our last day of monsoon moisture as clear, sunny days are forecast for the next week.  That's My World for Tuesday, August 1, 2011.  To visit That's My World, please go to:  http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Shhhhhhhhh! Nap time~First of the Month~080111

Don't you wish you could relax like this?  Not a care in the world!  Ahhhhhhh!!!! It must be the humidity of August that put this flamingo to sleep.  Or, maybe the nice, warm air?  This flamingo is with others at the Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, CA.  First of the Month for August 1, 2011.  To view other participants, please go to:  http://www.murrieta365.com/