Wild sunflowers~Think Green Thursday 092409

Here in the desert southwest, a variety of wild sunflower grows in many locations. I've seen these from Arizona to our desert near Palm Springs. These are not the mammoth sunflowers like you find in gardens. Oh, no! These are a wild variety that seems to be able to grow without much water. I cultivated some seeds from around the valley and planted them in my yard last spring. They are still blooming long after my mammoth ones dried out and died. The only thing I noticed was that they were difficult to get started. Perhaps they need massive amounts of water to get started? I would love to collect more seeds again and see if this year I can do a better job with them. And, yes, they grow in places that do not receive any water as I see a whole stand of them by my school out in a field that doesn't get any additional watering. Think Green Thursday for September 24, 2009.

"J" is for Joshua Tree~ABC Wednesday 092309

We are fortunate to live within sight of Joshua Tree National Park, although in the last 30 years, we've only visited it three times and two were this year! We need to visit it more often because it is such an unusual and unique place! Here are some pics from our visit last spring. ABC Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

Yellow grasses~Mellow Yellow for September 21, 2009

Late one July afternoon, hubby and I took a drive out west of Flagstaff and came upon this meadow of yellow grasses. The wind was blowing and the afternoon sunlight was hitting them just right. Mellow Yellow for Monday, September 21, 2009.

4 wheelin'!!! Scenic Sunday for 092009

My husband took my car Thursday and spent two days in Santa Monica, so he left me his. Actually, it was our son's car, a little Toyota Rav4. I hardly ever drive it, since I have my Honda, which I bought a year ago in the spring. It's a Honda CRV and while I can drive unpaved roads with it, the road up to Santa Rosa Mountain is ONLY recommended for 4 wheel drive cars. Hmmm....so, yes, off I went yesterday, up the Santa Rosa road. Actually, it wasn't that bad, BUT, you need a car with a high carriage to get over the ruts and bumps. The views are spectacular! I could see all the way down into the Indian canyons in Palm Springs. The road went further up the mountain, but, being alone, I didn't want to chance it, so I'll wait until hubby is with me to try it again. I did stop and take these photos. Scenic Sunday for September 20, 2009.

Mountain lions~Camera Critters for 091909

These were the two mountain lions at the Living Desert Reserve in Palm Desert, CA. That was Reno, on the ground, bothering the female. She is still alive, but Reno passed away, at age 19, last year. He was a real clown, but a couple of times, he did injure the little female, so she may be happy to finally be alone. Camera Critters for September 19, 2009. Enjoy your weekend!

At the end of a day~SkyWatch Friday 091809

Hubby and I have been driving up to the horse ranch in the late afternoon to work with the horses up in the mountains. This was the end of one afternoon last week. Can you see the long driveway? SkyWatch Friday for September 18, 2009.

"I" is for...ABC Wednesday 091609

image. I caught this image on the afternoon we visited Bodie, CA. It was late afternoon, the shadows were long, and I just happened to notice the image when I uploaded my photos! ABC Wednesday, September 16, 2009.