Visitors' Center ~ That's My World~January 12, 2010

Early Sunday morning I took a walk through the Palm Desert Visitors' Center. I'm certainly not a visitor, having lived in Palm Desert now for 34 years, but I love to walk around their center and see the flowers, trees, and shadows! This tree still had its golden leaves and the sunlight was hitting it just right in the morning, so I stopped to take a few pics. We've had absolutely beautiful, warm days since a few days before New Year's Day, but I understand a storm front is on its way in and will arrive early next week! That's My World for Tuesday, January 12, 2010.

Barrel cactus~Cactus Monday 011110

Before I ran my errands yesterday morning, I stopped at the Palm Desert Visitor's Center. The early morning light was fantastic and I wanted to wander around and see what was there again. It was a beautiful, crisp, clear morning yesterday, although rain is forecast by the beginning of next week here. So, I'm glad I was able to take some photos yesterday. This little barrel cactus caught my eye. It even had some leaves stuck in its spines. Cactus Monday for January 11, 2010.

Sunday Stills Challenge~Favorite Photos from 2009

Oh, boy! THIS is a hard challenge and I have a problem. I have only a few photos here on Picasa. MOST of my photos are on my desktop, which crashed in December! ACK! So, I went through the ones on Picasa and picked two. My desktop still hasn't been re-connected (hubby is working this weekend) and he hasn't had time to reconnect it, so here goes! The bottom one is a photo of the All-American Canal, which runs from the Colorado River through Arizona, to the Coachella Valley. Farmers here use this water to irrigate their fields and the day after Thanksgiving, I drove by this part of the canal and caught the early morning sunrise reflecting on it. I don't always get out that way, but, during vacation, a combination of sun, clouds, and light was just right for a photo. Beautiful, but DANGEROUS! Did you know that the water may appear calm on the surface, but, beneath it (what lies beneath) are dangerous currents? Suction pumps pump the water at tremendous speeds and if you or your dog fall into the canal, you are GONNERS unless somebody is there so help pull you out! You CANNOT swim against that strong suction current! The top photo was taken on the same day. The clouds had developed into rain squalls across the desert. I like how the sunlight hit the deserted ranch house, but the sky's background is so dark! The sunlight disappeared right after I took this photo and it started to rain, but a double rainbow appeared!

Desert morning walk~SkyWatch Friday 010810

I love to go for morning walks in the desert. The morning sunlight sends long shadows ahead of me, in washes and along the sandy trails. We've had over a week of warm, beautiful, sunny days here in the desert southwest, with more "above average" weather forecast for new week. COME ON OUT! Join us! SkyWatch Friday for January 8, 2010. Photo taken near Thousand Palms Canyon Road, 1000 Palms, CA. There is a nice spot to stop here and take a hike out into the desert. The trails are well marked and you will occasionally see other hikers. Bring a hat, comfortable shoes, and WATER! Oh, and bring your camera!

Desert trails~This Way Thursday 010710

I arrived at a popular hiking spot, along the wash in Thousand Palms Canyon, last Sunday. Hubby was home sleeping soundly, but it was such a beautiful desert morning, I had to get out. And, I wasn't the only person out & about! There were several groups of hikers along this wash, which lies right along the San Andreas Fault near Indio, CA. If you drive up Thousand Palms Canyon, you'll see a nice parking area and marked hiking trails in the Coachella Valley Preserve. This Way Thursday for January 7, 2010.

Cottonwoods and Wash~That's My World 010510

I went out Sunday morning, camera in hand. Hubby was sleeping in and I had awoken early. So, where to go? I'd driven out Thousand Palms Canyon last week and decided to return there. Yes, those are cottonwoods out in the wash. And they still have their fall leaves! That's My World for Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

Cactus blossoms early morning~Cactus Monday 010410

New Year's Day I went for an early morning walk at the Santa Rosa Visitor's Center, which is at the base of Highway 74 here in Palm Desert, CA. It's a great place to visit. You can take some of the nearby trails and they have lots of signs near plants. They also have a little information center where one can read about desert plants and animals. I got there right before the morning's sunrise and it was so quiet! What a great way to greet the day! Of course, I wouldn't wish to bump into these little fellows!