Park fountain~Watery Wednesday~120711

This is the fountain at our local park.  I was surprised to see it operating on Sunday morning, about 7:00 a.m.  The ducks were all lined up on the opposite side, sleeping in the desert's warm sun!  Watery Wednesday for December 7, 2011.  To visit Watery Wednesday, please go to:  http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Desert storm~Our World Tuesday~120611

The huge storm which is now dumping snow in New Mexico also hit us in the desert last week.  All our local mountains were covered with snow.  I didn't take either or my big cameras with me, but I remembered I had my little Nikon Coolpix in my purse, so I stopped to take some photos of the clouds and mountains.  Joshua Tree National Park was covered with snow at the upper elevations, which quickly melted.  Mt. St. Gorgonio had quite a bit of snow, as did the mountains around it.  Our World Tuesday for December 16, 2011.  To visit Our World Tuesday, please go to:  http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

5 on the 5th

I FINALLY dug out my tripod out of hubby's car and headed over to my local civic center park at dusk.  I have wanted to take some twilight photos with my tripod, but it's been in hubby's car and he's been getting home late.  So, yesterday afternoon, I snuck into his car, grabbed my tripod, and headed over to the park for some photo-taking.  It was quiet there.  The ducks were quacking for their dinner and NOBODY was feeding them!  I have a bag of pigeon food which I bought up at the feed store up in the mountains, but, of course, it was in MY car, and I was driving hubby's!  Someday I'll get the camera, the tripod, and the duck food ALL TOGETHER!  In the meantime, these were the pics I took yesterday afternoon.  Not exactly snow and ice, but, hey!  It's the desert in winter!  To visit 5 on the 5th, please go to:  http://thestateofthenationuk.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Sunrise~back lighting~120411~Sunday Stills Challenge

One morning, as I was heading to school, I stopped to view the sunrise at Desert Ridge resort.  I only had my little Nikon Coolpix with me, but I think it did a good job capturing the morning light.  Sunday Stills Challenge for December 4, 2011.To visit SSC, please follow this link:  http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Tree and sunset~First of the Month~120111

As I was driving home the other afternoon, it got dark early because of all the clouds.  I pulled over to see my favorite tree off one of the freeway exits.  There used to be a red ranch there, but it was demolished and bulldozed about a year ago.  All that is left is this tree and another one which has been severely cut.  I noticed two different bird nests high up in this one.  First of the Month for December, 2011. To visit First of the Month, please go to:  http://www.murrieta365.com/

Salton Sea and beyond

There are only a couple of places where one can see the Salton Sea from Highway 74 and this is one of them.  It is visible from Vista Point, but not as well.  There is ample parking at Vista Point, but this is a turnout further up the road.  The Salton Sea has been so hazy all summer that I haven't had an opportunity to actually SEE it until last weekend.  And, while this view is somewhat hazy, it's the best I've seen all summer and fall and I travel this road every weekend.  As you know, the Salton Sea remains a stumbling block to those who wish to do something about it.  The funding would be...GINORMOUS!  Thus, it remains what it is.  But, from up here, at about 1,500 feet, it does have a certain beauty.  I have seen other photographers take beautiful, vibrant photos of it (especially at sunrise and sunset), but from where I live, it is halfway down the valley!  I did take one trip down there last spring, when I had my camera with me, and I need to do that again.

Yellow tree and white fence~Friday Fences~120211

As I was driving around last weekend, late one afternoon up in our local mountains, I spotted this beautiful tree and white fence and I stopped to take a photo of it.  It's so relaxing up there, I love to drive around the horse ranches and just look and look and look!  Friday Fences for December 2, 2011.