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.

Joshua Trees and Jet~Looking at the Sky on Friday 010711

While walking back to the parking lot from Barker Dam, at Joshua Tree National Park, I looked up and saw a jet. I stopped and took this photo and continued my walk. I like how all the joshua tree branches leaned into the photo! What do you think? Looking at the Sky on Friday for January 7, 2011.

Clearing the roads!!! Outdoor Wednesday for January 5, 2011.

Hubby took these pics above Bishop, CA. We were heading toward Mammoth, but the road got really icy and we didn't have chains with us, so we turned around. Along the way, this CalTrans snowplow passed us, probably heading to where we decided to not venture any more!!! We enjoyed our trip to the Sierras and can't wait to return! Outdoor Wednesday for January 5, 2011.

Lone Pine and the Sierras~That's My World 010311

Hubby and I headed for the hills (the Sierra Nevadas) for a 3 day vacation during Christmas break. We decided to stay in Lone Pine, which is one of the towns at the south end of the Sierras. I woke up very early on our first morning there and walked across the highway (Highway 395). And, this is what I saw! It had snowed in the mountains the afternoon and night before, but on this morning, the sun was out and the wind was blowing. In fact, it was blowing the snow off the snowcapped mountains! Several people were out with me, with their cameras, taking photos, too! That's My World for Tuesday, January 4, 2011.

Day One~Best photo of 2010 010211

I woke up early Thursday morning after a snowstorm on the peaks of the Sierras. It was a crisp and clear day and snow was blowing off the tops of the peaks. I had been wanting to get a photo of this and I was thrilled to actually see it happening! I actually took this photo on December 30,just a few days before the new year! When I woke up Friday morning, the wind was calm and this effect wasn't happening, so I'm fortunate that I actually saw it. Day One for January 2, 2011. To see other participants, please visit: http://fredamans.blogspot.com/

Weekend Reflections 010111~Sierras

Hubby and I drove up to South Lake near Bishop, CA this week. We love to drive through the houses on Starlight Road. After a recent snow storm, they were covered with snow. I stopped by this one house to take a photo of their broad windows. And, what were they reflecting? THIS mountain! Neat, huh? Weekend Reflections for January 1, 2011. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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/