Road Trip~Sierras~Scenic Sunday~042411

Hubby and I have just returned from a 6 day road trip through the eastern Sierras. I was off this past week for spring break and he also had some time off, so away we went! Our last trip there was in December, 2010 and we were anxious to get back to see how much snow there was. And, yes, there was a LOT~ in fact, it snowed up in Mammoth and North and South Lake (above Bishop) while we were there. That was okay...we enjoyed seeing the snow! We spent our first night up in Hesperia, so that cut an hour off Sunday's driving time. Upon arriving in Lone Pine, we drove out to the Alabama Hills, hubby's favorite spot. The next day, we drove up to Aspendell Lake, which is north of Bishop. It was cold and windy and by afternoon, it was snowing! Brrrrrrrr! Here are some photos from our first two days. No, those aren't birds in the photos! My Nikon was SO DIRTY and had dust on the mirror and hubby tried to blow it off, but it just blew to another area! :-( So, I put my camera away and used hubby's for the rest of the trip. When we got home, he took it to our local camera store for a cleaning (which usually would take only 10 minutes, but mine took 30!) The guy asked, "Where does your wife store her camera, in a BARN?"...okay, okay...I get the message! From now on, I keep it in an old camera bag, away from horses, dust, alfalfa, and dirt! :-) Scenic Sunday for April 24, 2011. To view other participants, please go to: http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Fence gate~That's My World~April 19, 2011

I'm a sucker for fences and gates. I admit it. And, there are plenty of fences and gates up in the Sierras! I found this one today, and used my camera's manual setting, thanks to some help from hubby. I can't wait to do more exploring tomorrow! :-) That's My World for Tuesday, April 19, 2011. To see other worlds, please go to: http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Blue sage~Sunday Stills Challenge 032711

I found this blue sage at the Living Desert Reserve today when I went back with my camera. I spent two hours there, just walking around, looking and learning. Sunday Stills Challenge for March 27, 2011.

My African Daisies

Last year I planted African daisies out in my front yard, between our fence and the street, and last fall I replanted seeds. They get full sun all day and I notice that they don't open right away in the mornings and they close before sundown. I love these flowers and I'm saving their seeds to replant next year.

"Green"

Green forest in Yosemite National Park, California.

A moment of silence for Japan...

Just a moment of silence and prayer for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with you.

Signs of spring color~Sunday Stills 021311

I stayed home all day yesterday and went out in the afternoon to take some photos around my yard. The top one is, I believe, desert lupine (I just threw a bunch of wildflower seeds out front last fall), then an acacia fuzzy ball. The acacias are the sweet acacia and they have a very orangey-strong scent! I can smell them all over the yard! Next is one of my two sunflowers which are blooming right now. I planted them on the fence between our house and our neighbor's yard and they get full sun all day until late afternoon. Finally, my purple bougenvilla is starting to bloom. This one is right outside our front door, and it is climbing one of the posts of our patio roof. These are our signs of spring color for now! Sunday Stills Challenge for February 13, 2011.