Hayloader and blue sky~SkyWatch Friday, May 29, 2009

This hay loader was out last weekend as we drove by after visiting the horses. Beautiful blue sky and dry, yellow hay~~SkyWatch Friday, May 29, 2009.

"S" is for Sierras~ABC Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hubby and I always like to take off after school is out and this year we headed up to Northern California. We drove up 395, which runs right along the Sierra Nevada mountains. There was still snow on some of the mountains and this was mid-June! They are beautiful, young mountains! I would love to do some hiking in them sometime. If you stop in Bishop, there's a wonderful bakery there! Here's the link: http://www.erickschatsbakery.com/. They have delicious sandwiches and, for us, it is about halfway home! ABC Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

oak grove~That's My World May 26, 2009

This oak grove is on a local Indian reservation and is on the way to the ranch where we board our horses. Right now it has many wildflowers blooming, but I was more interested in the trees yesterday morning. We watch this area through the seasons and right now, in spring, it is lush and green. That's My World for May 26, 2009

Yellow in the desert~~Sunday Stills challenge for May 24, 2009

I took all of these pics down at our local community college. In addition to the plants in their agricultural garden, there is an outer garden full of beautiful flowers. There's also a pond and fountain and on some mornings, when I walk down there, I can hear the bullfrog. He's always too quick for me to spot, but I hear him jump into the water! I'm going to have to be very stealthy to catch a photo of him! They have many different yellow flowers down there, including their corn, sunflowers, and squash. Can you see the squash blossom peeking out behind the leaves? Sunday Stills challenge for May 24, 2009.

quiet desert morning~SkyWatch Friday, May 22, 2009

Our desert temperatures FINALLY dropped this week and I took an early morning drive out to a nearby golf course. There were actually clouds above, but they were in the other direction. I liked the stillness of this place and the morning light. SkyWatch Friday for May 22, 2009.

Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA~That's My World for 051909

On my San Diego road trip this weekend, I wanted to stop by Mission San Luis Rey again. Located in Oceanside, CA, it is not far from the ranch my parents' owned when I was a kid. I took my husband to this mission a few years ago and I remembered how well kept it is. I love walking out through its cemetery. It is so calm and peaceful. Just what I needed after a long and busy week at school! Enjoy the pics. Mission San Luis Rey, That's My World for Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

fog and mountains~~Scenic Sunday for 051709

Early morning fog, off Interstate 15, near Vista, CA. We don't get fog in the desert and I visited my aunt and uncle in San Diego this weekend. We all woke up to fog this morning and when I was driving back to the desert, I took these photos. I hit sunlight in Temecula, but these photos were taken in Vista, CA. Scenic Sunday for May 17, 2009.

Ocotillo and blue desert sky~~Skywatch Friday 051509

I arose early a couple of mornings last week to try out the new (reconditioned) Nikon. I saw this ocotillo reaching for the sky and stopped to take a couple of photos of it. Don't you love morning light? SkyWatch Friday for May 15, 2009.

Community college garden delights!

I stopped by our local community college this morning before driving off to school and took these photos. In the still of the early morning, a bullfrog was singing. It was eerily quiet except for his deep, throaty call. I love these quiet times! I wandered around, camera slung over my neck and heard the rattling of chains, indicating that the garden area was opening up. I asked the nice gentleman there if I could come in and take some photos. He was more than accommodating! These, therefore, are the pictures from my local community college in Palm Desert, College of the Desert. I wish to thank the gentleman who allowed me into his world! Yes, ears of corn growing already! And, on the top photo, can you see the rabbit?

Agriculture in the Coachella Valley

Our valley is now alive and green. Many summer crops are already growing...corn, peppers, watermelon, and grapes. In fact, one crop of corn has already been harvested. See the photo of the tall corn next to the harvested field? Yup. Corn is already in our farmers' markets. Can you believe it? I talked to the manager of the field that was already harvested and asked him how many crops of corn he will get there and he told me two. Wow. Isn't that incredible? The Coachella Valley has a 365 day growing season and farmers rotate winter crops with summer ones.

Apple trees

These apple trees are on the ranch next door to where I board my horses. They are blooming. The farmer grows organic apples and sells them in Julian. Aren't they pretty?

Early morning fog, Santa Rosa, Mellow Yellow 050409

On one of our trips to Napa, we stayed in Santa Rosa. I woke up very early one morning and looked outside. The fog had rolled in and everything had a yellowish glow. Mellow Yellow for Monday, May 4, 2009.

California poppy~~Sunday Stills for May 3, 2009

This delightful California poppy was outside the Tablas Creek Winery in Paso Robles, CA. While hubby was inside, I wandered around outside and saw some poppies by the parking lot. Sunday Stills for May 3, 2009.