Cacti, Cactus Monday 113009

Aren't cacti pretty when the sunlight hits them just right? I took this photo in the late afternoon. Cactus Monday for Novembe 30, 2009.

Sunday stills Challenge "T" 112909

"T" is for truck. We found this old, blue pickup truck in Bodie, CA when we went there in August. Kids always seem to enjoy climbing on the truck in spite of a sign warning them to stay off! Ahhhh...kids!!! Sunday Stills Challenge for November 29, 2009.

Coyote~Camera Critters 112809

I was going through our archives and I came upon this photo of one of the coyotes from the Living Desert. It is so difficult to get a good photo of them! They are either sleeping on a rock on the far side of the enclosure, or they are nowhere to be seen! But, on this visit, I was able to get this closeup. Look at the coyote's eyes and its fur! I nearly always see a coyote in one of the fields up by where I board my horses. But, again, it is so far off, even with my zoom lens, I can't get a good photo! Camera Critters for November 28, 2009.

"S" is for...ABC Wednesday 112509

sunrise! I caught this sunrise early one morning up in the hills as I was out hiking. ABC Wednesday, November 25, 2009. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Cactus Monday~112309

I love early morning walks at the Living Desert here in Palm Desert. The light is perfect! And, it was hitting this cactus one day. Cactus Monday for November 23, 2009. For other cactus photos, please visit Cactus Monday: http://painteddaisies.blogspot.com/

Jail wagon~This Way Thursday 111909

This is one way you wouldn't wish to go! We found this old jail wagon at a trading post in Arizona. Imagine being inside it during a hot day! (shudder...) This Way Thursday for November 19, 2009. For other interesting photos, please visit: http://thiswaythursday.blogspot.com/

"R" is for...ABC Wednesday 111809

roadrunner! We have lots of roadrunners here in our desert southwest. Why, we even have a family in our neighborhood! They have been here for many years, ever since our own kids were growing up! The father sometimes lands on my front fence and surveys the street. I often see one of them running up or down our street with something in its mouth~a lizard, an insect, and yes, even a small bird or a baby bird. Our neighbor told us that he saw one of the roadrunners even chase our petite cat, Daisy, down the street! ABC Wednesday for November 18, 2009.

Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center~That's My World 111709

I forget that less than two miles away is a delightful place, the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center. It is free to the public and open for visitors nearly every day. Sometimes, on the weekends, I just grab my camera and wander its grounds. I have quail and roadrunners for company! The photo from yesterday is one that I took on one such walk. Here are some others from spring, 2008. That's My World for Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

Desert reflection~Weekend Reflections~111509

I found a new meme, "Weekend Reflections". Here's the link: http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009/11/newtown-barn-reflection-weekend.html. I'm fairly new at taking photos of reflections, but I have taken a few. I like this one because I took it here in Palm Desert, at the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center. I like to walk there early in the mornings. Weekend Reflections for November 15, 2009.

On my way home~SkyWatch Friday 111309

I had stopped to do some errands yesterday afternoon and noticed how beautiful the clouds were yesterday. I took these photos with my little Nikon before the colors faded. Aren't the clouds and palm trees pretty? SkyWatch Friday, November 13, 2009.

road and pinyons

I often drive by this dirt road on my way to visit the horses. Last weekend I decided to take it. My good friend, Barbara, used to live at the end of it and it had been several years since I had been down this road. Now, however, there is a locked gate at the end of it! DARN! Anyway, it was a pleasure to drive down it and see the various rock formations and yuccas and pinyon trees.

That's My World~Living Desert Reserve 111009

I don't know why I think we have to travel great distances to find beauty. It is here right in our own southern California desert! I took all these photos at our nearby Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, CA. That's My World for Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Currency~Sunday Stills Challenge~ 110809

Just some random shots from our favorite store in Williams, AZ, and the opportunities to spend our hard-earned currency! Really, though, this is our favorite store. We always buy our daughter another cross from it and I buy odds and ends and always buy another pair of socks! They have so many interesting things there! You can see the price tags on some of the items. Sunday Stills Challenge for November 8, 2009.

"P" is for Prescott~ABC Wednesday 110409

We love to travel to Prescott, AZ. It is about a 5 hour drive, which isn't too far. And, we love the countryside in and around Prescott. But, we also enjoy walking around the downtown. There is a restaurant there, the Palace. We often stop there for a steak dinner and wander around town afterwards. Here are some pics of Prescott, Arizona.

Looking toward Death Valley, CA~That's My World 110309

The last time hubby and I traveled to the eastern Sierra, we drove up 395 and took the road through Trona. I wouldn't do that again. VERY BORING and very dry!!! We saw NOTHING for miles and miles and miles. We got to the Death Valley entrance late in the afternoon and decided to wait until next Spring to enter the park. Instead, we took the road that comes out near Lone Pine, a much more interesting drive! That's My World for Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Old things~Williams, AZ~Mellow Yellow 110209

When we drive to Arizona, we love to drive through Williams. There are so many interesting little shops! I found these items in the window of one of them during one of our stops there. Mellow Yellow Monday for November 2, 2009.

North of Bishop, CA~Scenic Sunday for 110109

Hubby and I took a weekend trip to Bishop a couple of weekends ago to go view the fall leaves on the trees. Either we were too early or too late. We just didn't see the spectacular reds and oranges. However, we did some some pretty colors! It's hard to find fall colors here in our desert southwest, so we headed to the eastern Sierras. Here are some pics of what I found. Scenic Sunday for November 01, 2009.