Quail and snow~Camera Critters 010111

I found these quail in a front yard on Starlight Road above Bishop, CA. Hubby and I drove to the Sierras for a couple of days to try out our new XTerra. This road to the houses was open, but their park was covered with snow! Many of the houses there had icicles hanging down them! Camera Critters for January 1, 2011. HAPPY NEW YEAR! To visit other participants in Camera Critters, please visit: http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

Yosemite webcam pics!

I found a website that has Yosemite webcams. Oh, boy! I'm thrilled. Here's the addy:
http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams. These photos were on it today...these are NOT my photos, but from the webcams. Hubby and I are heading up to the Sierras in our new XTerra tomorrow. We are NOT driving to Yosemite, but will go to Lone Pine, Bishop, and maybe Mammoth. The forecast calls for about 2 inches of snow Wednesday morning! YEAH!

"W" is for white~ABC Wednesday and Weekly color 122210

Here in the desert near Palm Springs, we are currently having rainy WEATHER. I remembered last February when hubby and I took a 5-day trip to the Sierras and all we saw was WHITE...everywhere everything was covered with snow! I can't see our mountains yet, and snow is forecast for above 5,000 feet. Tomorrow morning the clouds should clear, so until then, I'm content looking at these WHITE, WINTER pics from last year! ABC Wednesday and Weekly Color for December 22, 2010. To visit Weekly Color, please visit: http://livingtakestalent.blogspot.com/ To visit ABC Wednesday, please visit: http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/

Arizona mailboxes~That's My World 11302010

I spotted this row of mailboxes outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, when hubby and I were there a few weeks ago and couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture of them. I don't think they are as pretty as the ones from near the Owens River in my header, but now I'm on a quest to find more mailboxes. Isn't it strange that we fixate on certain things during our travels? A few years ago our daughter was intrigued by fire stations and took various photos of them on our trip across the country! That's My World for Tuesday, November 30, 2010.

Bishop lake~Watery Wednesday 110310

Hubby and I came upon this peaceful lake above Bishop, CA a few weekends ago. We didn't catch the name of it, and it was before both North and South Lake. There were a few fishermen out on the lake and some were fishing off the shore. Watery Wednesday for November 3, 2010.

Silver Lake early morning~Watery Wednesday 102710

I took these photos on our last morning at Silver Lake. A few minutes later, it started to rain and I had to run back to our cabin! I'm glad we were able to spend a few days in the Sierras and were able to see their fall beauty. Watery Wednesday for October 27, 2010.

Clouds on mountain~SkyWatch Friday 102210

Hubby and I stopped at an overlook near Bishop, CA and took a look at the Sierras, which were partly hidden by clouds. I like the sunlight, which was shining on this one peak, just enough to give it a surreal feeling. What do you think? SkyWatch Friday for October 22, 2010.

Fishing shed~WindowViews and Doors, Too 102110

This is the boat rental cottage at Silver Lake (in the June Lake loop, north of Mammoth, CA), which was open for business early one morning. All of the boats are lined up on the shore. The manager was out and about, doing chores and I couldn't resist this shot! Window Views and Doors Too for October 21, 2010. This was their last weekend that the silver Lake Resort was open and they are now closed for the winter.

Silver Lake, CA ~ Watery Wednesday 102010

Sorry about the quality of these photos, but we awoke to a very cloudy, drizzly day and the sky was just a disaster for photographers! I ran into a young man from Los Angeles who, like me, was attempting to take some photos of Silver Lake, which is one of the lakes of the June Lake loop. He had pretty much given up trying to take photos of the lake and was busy concentrating on the aspen! But, who can resist Silver Lake on a very early morning? Watery Wednesday for October 20, 2010. For other participants, please visit: http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Our weekend quest to find aspen~That's My World 101910

Hubby and I headed back to the Sierras this weekend on a quest to find aspen. And, we weren't disappointed! I'll be documenting our trip for the rest of the week. We found these on the June Lake loop, which curves around June lake. The clouds were moving in, but occassionally the sun would pop through and we would jump out of our car to take photos! We ran into several other photographers along the way, since the aspen are at their peak right now. Aren't their colors gorgeous? That's My World for Tuesday, October 19, 2010.

Yosemite~SkyWatch Friday 092410

Fog drifting through the trees in Yosemite National Park. SkyWatch Friday, September 24, 2010.

Flag on barn~Sunday Stills Challenge 091910

I'm not participating every week with the Sunday Stills Challenge on this blog, but I just HAD to include these photos for this week's challenge. I mean, how often do you see a barn with a beautiful flag like this painted on it? Well, here in California, not very often!~In fact, this isn't even in California. This is from southern Oregon, just south of Medford. Think of all the labor and love and patience that went into this! Sunday Stills Challenge for September 19, 2010.

Rainbow over Sierras~Weekend Reflections 091810

Hubby actually took this photo when he and our son took a week off work and drove up to the Sierras. Hmpft! They left ME at home as I was on jury duty! BUMMER! I'll get even with both of them, someday...sometime!!! :-) Weekend Reflections for September 18, 2010.

Yellow Umbrellas~Mellow Yellow Monday 091310

Bright yellow umbrellas at Ridge Vineyards in northern California. Okay, maybe they aren't mellow! But, they are yellow! Mellow Yellow Monday for September 13, 2010.

Western Sierra Lake~Watery Wednesday 081110

Hubby and I stopped by this lake in the western Sierras last June, during our vacation. I liked the little lake house. Watery Wednesday for August 11, 2010.

"Rocks" ~ Photo Sunday 080810

I took this photo last October near Lone Pine, CA, in the Alabama Hills. Many Hollywood movies were filmed there, including Tremors. I think you can see why...just look at those rocks! Photo Sunday for August 8, 2010. For other participants, please visit: http://photosunday.net/

Mariposa mural~Street Art~Sunday stills Challenge 080110

When we visit Yosemite National Park, we usually stay in Merced, CA. Merced is about an hour to the west of the park and as we drive into it, we pass through beautiful rollings hills and the little town of Mariposa, CA. Mariposa in Spanish means butterfly and they have another mural in town of all the species of butterflies which live near the city. Their mural is very clean and well-maintained. If you have a chance, do stop in Mariposa. It's a nice, friendly little town. At one time it, like many others, was a mining town. Sunday Stills Challenge for August 1, 2010.

Bridelveil Falls~Watery Wednesday 072810

When we visited Yosemite in June, after school was out, all the waterfalls in the park were full of water, including Bridelveil Falls. The park was also full of small waterfalls that normally aren't there during years of less rainfall and snowfall. Watery Wednesday for July 28, 2010.

Mt. Lassen and flag~SkyWatch Friday 072310

As we pulled into the museum lot at Mt. Lassen National Park, I noticed our flag waving in the wind. There weren't any clouds that day, but I stopped to take a photo of it. I've also included a photo of Mt. Lassen, which I took as we were leaving the park. It was quiet there and there weren't many people. So, if you want a nice, quite spot to visit, I would suggest Mt. Lassen! SkyWatch Friday for July 23, 2010.

Window at Simi Winery~Window Views and Doors, Too 072210

As hubby and I pulled into the old Simi winery a couple of weeks ago, I glanced up and saw this window in the winery. They have a separate visitor's center where you can sample wines and buy various items. The winery is one of the largest I've seen and I was intrigued by this window. What was behind it? Hmmmm.....Window Views and Doors, Too for July 22, 2010. For other participants, please visit: http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

Sausal Winery, Weekend Reflections 071710

As you know, Sausal Winery is one of our favorite places to visit and their wines are some of our favorites! They have a beautiful tasting room and the people there are very friendly. Not pretentious at all! They have old vine zinfandels (their vines are over 100 years old) and you can find them at Bev Mo. If you haven't tried California zinfandel, I would suggest you try theirs! While hubby was wine tasting (I don't drink, since I am the "designated driver"), I wandered around the wine tasting area and took these photos. Here is a link to their website: http://www.sausalwinery.com/ Weekend Reflections for July 17, 2010. For other weekend participants, please visit: http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/?

"Z" is for zinfandel~ABC Wednesday 071410

Hubby and I spent a couple of days up near Sonoma, visiting old vine ZINFANDEL wineries. We LOVE Sausal's wines and spent some time there. That is their tasting room on the bottom and those are pics of their vines out in the vineyards. They are very friendly there and whenever we visit northern California, we stop and sample their wines. ABC Wednesday for July 14, 2010.

Grapes~Macro Monday 071110

I don't remember which winery in northern California had these grapes, but aren't they beautiful? There's something very calming about seeing row after row of vineyards growing. The tendrils stretch toward the sky, the grapes grow quietly, and sometimes roses are planted at the end of the rows. How peaceful is that? Macro Monday for July 11, 2010.

Shadows in the Redwoods~Sunday Stills Challenge 071010

Hubby and I just visited the California redwoods in northern California and they seem to be the perfect topic for this week's Sunday Stills Challenge. I mean, just look at the shadows there! They are everywhere! In fact, sometimes it is difficult to take photos inside all the shadowy areas among them. Here are a few photos that I took of them. Sunday Stills Challenge for July 10, 2010.

Wine country sky~~SkyWatch Friday 070910

This was yesterday morning's sky above Ridge Vineyards, in the Alexander Valley. Hubby had to stop and sample their wines, so I wandered out among the vines. I looked up and saw these clouds. SkyWatch Friday for July 9, 2010. To visit other skywatchers, please visit: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Framing a photo~Jamestown Railroad Museum~Sunday Stills Challenge 070410

Hubby and I stopped at the Jamestown Railroad Museum a couple of days ago to admire the old steam engines there, including one that is being unveiled and used over this weekend, No. 3. While we were there, I saw this flag waving in the breeze, one of many which were carefully put in place for the holiday weekend. Sunday Stills Challenge for July 4, 2010.

Lone oak tree~SkyWatch Friday 070110

We passed by this lone oak tree this morning leaving Merced for northern California. I liked how it stood alone in a field of golden grasses. We've had a high pressure system over California now for several days without any clouds and none are forecast for some time. Maybe during our monsoon months of July and August they will return, although one August, when we came through this same area, lightning from the storms caused several wildfires! SkyWatch Friday for July 1, 2010.

Sunday Stills Challenge ~ Bristlecone pine forest~062710

Hubby and I recently stopped by the Bristlecone National Forest over Memorial Day weekend on our trip to the Sierras. We drove up to Hesperia Friday night, getting that much closer before the drive on Saturday. We decided to drive up the narrow, winding road to the bristlecones because hubby had never seen them before. I remember visiting them once as a kid. BELIEVE ME, it was a completely different journey at age 58!!! First, I got a headache. And, I'm not the kind of person who gets headaches often. I just don't. Second, I started to get dizzy. Hmmmm...Finally, I got nauseous. Now, the bristlecones are at 10,500 feet, so I decided it must be the elevation and, indeed, there were signed posted about the elevation and how it can affect some people. Well, I guess I'm one of them. By the time we got to the visitor center and the main grove, all I could do was just SIT in the car! I told hubby, "YOU go take pictures. I'm staying here!" I actually did manage to get out and take a few, and hobble into the visitor center. So, be aware...especially if you are on heart medication, like I am, to go SLOWLY and sit down if you need to! Here are some pics that hubby took of the bristlecones. I completely recovered by the time we drove down to the bottom of the valley floor and after breakfast, I was back to normal! Just be aware of the elevation when you visit them, especially if you are my age and on medication!!! Your heart has to pump more in the thin air and I think that also contributed to my condition. Now, we were there, like I said, over Memorial Day weekend and there were still spots of snow on the ground. And, the road to the second grove was closed due to snow! Bristlecone pines are among the oldest living things on our planet. One of them is over 3,000 years old! I do not know how old these were, but they certainly are over 60 years old! Bristlecones also only grow where there is poor soil and grow in groves. They are indeed interesting and unique trees! I would encourage you to visit them and see them for yourself! Just be aware of the elevation, take plenty of water, and sit down if you need to! Sunday Stills Challenge for Jne 27, 2010. If you want to read more about these interesting trees, here is a link for you: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/bristlecone_pine.htm Apparently there was one dated 4,500 years old!