Joshua Tree National Park—Climbers World

We took a drive through Joshua Tree last month.  Even though we arrive mid-day on a weekday, the campgrounds were full.

The park is named for these Joshua Trees, a tall variety of Yucca that was just beginning to bloom during our visit.

As interesting as the they are, it is not the Joshua trees that draw most people to the Park.

It is the rocks.

This is a popular area for rock climbers. 

It seems it is never too early to start.  This family was teaching their children to climb. 

You can find more views of the world at My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Life of a Fledgling Anna’s Hummingbird

Rest

Sing for your Supper

In here Ma

 It’s about time

 More! More!

Won’t this kid ever be satisfied?

Sutter Buttes in a Pink Sky

Here is my SkyWatch shot. In the evening sky looking to the west is Sutter Buttes, the worlds smallest mountain range, rising from the alluvial plain of the Sacramento Valley.

This is the view from my patio on a clear evening. The buttes intrigue me, beckon me. They are private land, forbidden.

Except, the Middle MountainFoundation has permission to lead hikes on four parcels here and last Sunday I joined them on a wildflower hike.

If you have time, you can join us.

We start our hike crossing this little stream. When summer comes this land will be dry but now it is green with flowing streams.
We see signs that native Americans once used this land.
We see a well dug by the pioneers. I hope they didn't encounter that poison oak, now draped over the edge, when they were drawing out water!
Wild clematis drapes over trees and shrubs.

We walk through stands of Redbud.

There are flowers I don't recall seeing in the past. Did you notice the blue pollen on the Birdseye Gilia?

The Sutter Buttes are the remnants of an ancient volcano. Here we can see the andecite spires from that volcano.

Elsewhere we see the terraces of an ancient lake bed, raised up when the volcano erupted under it.

We end with another sky shot. A view from the buttes over towards the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest.

More skies can be found at Skywatch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Wood Ducks--Watery Wednesday

I wish these shots were better but this was the best I could get of these wood ducks.

The male is so colorful it's hard to believe he's real. The female is less colorful but with her striking white eyeliner I think she is quite attractive.
The males seem to think so too as she has two of them pursuing her.

That is my water sight for the week. You can see more at Watery Wednesday hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy.

My World in Spring

How do I know it’s Spring?

The neighbors Pink Flamingo is showing off his Spring wardrobe.

The green hills are washed with white popcorn flower.

My garden has begun its succession of Spring bloom.

 

 

Perfumed with the heavenly fragrance of the wisteria.

 

In the open space the sheep have moved on to other pastures.  But wait, they left one behind!

No, not one, there is another.

Another sign of Spring.  A new born lamb.  Not wanting to tire or disturb them during this critical period, the shepherds fenced the ewe and her lamb and left them for a day, allowing them to rest and bond before returning them to the flock.

I had no idea when we moved here that it would be such a “back to nature” experience.  Sheep lambing 100 feet from my back door, egrets, pheasants, quail, hawks and songbirds I see or hear every day from my yard.  A walk down by the pond and I can see a wide variety of water fowl.  Five years here and I still find new things to wonder at!

You can find more worlds at My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Shadows from the Bridge

More shadows can be found at Hey Harriet.  Shadow Shot Sunday is hosted by Tracy down in Brisbane.

Hubby, 75 Years Young!

Happy Birthday Jules!