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Monarch

Feb 1st, 12 / 17 Comments

Monarch butterflies migrate to the Coronado Preserve during the winter, which is typically from November through February. The peak is between December and January. It is also hard to predict when they are active (in warm and sunny) because of the different ecological factors.

The preserve is a huge open space, kids and adults alike enjoy. Even a brief biology class on the life of a monarch can be read at the entrance.

It is open daily, no reservations required, and free admission. They rely on donations.

When we left Los Angeles the day we visited, it was foggy and when we reach Goleta, the monarchs were clustered, wings flapped, high up in the eucalyptus tree.

The docent brought her own monarch and was eager to share. The photo below is Mary, my office mate’s daughter who wanted to experience this! How cute! (With permission from the Momma)

Coronado Butterfly Preserve
Goleta, CA
January 07, 2012

This post is linked to Lesley’s Signs, Signs

California, Coronado Butterfly Preserve, Goleta, Meme, Signs, Signs

Joshua – The Tree of Life

Jan 30th, 12 / 19 Comments

Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia, grows wildly in the Mojave Desert. It has adapted to reduced rainfall by spreading its roots in a dense and shallow network to collect as much surface moisture as possible.

The tree named so by the Mormon immigrants who crossed the Colorado River, from the biblical character, Joshua. The tree’s limbs are outstretched in supplication, guiding travelers going westward.

Almost every part of this plant has been or used by other desert dwellers as well as the animals. Chemehuevi people wove its fibers to make baskets, sandals and mats.

Beechy ground squirrels and deer eat the white creamy blossoms. Later fruits and seeds provide food for antelope ground squirrels and other small animals.

Even after death, a tree trunk on the ground provides home for the desert night lizards, ants and scorpions. Eventually, termites return it to the desert enriching the sandy soil for the next Joshua Tree sprout.

I heard birds chirping, but could not see them, fortunate enough to capture this little one. Definitely there were woodpeckers leaving their marks on this tree.

We hiked and climbed some rocks. Another day trip, clocked another close to 500 miles round trip.

Joshua Tree National Park
29 Palms, CA
January 28, 2012

This post is linked to:
Our World Tuesday

Hosted by these wonderful ladies:
Sandy, Sylvia, Lady Fi, Gatina and Arija

California, Joshua Tree, Meme, Our World Tuesday

500 Miles – Los Angeles to Salton Sea and Back

Jan 23rd, 12 / 22 Comments

No rain could stop this chick! Driving in heavy rains from Los Angeles County to Imperial County was a little bit of a challenge.

What was rain in LA was only sprinkle in Palm Springs. We stopped to fix my wiper blades, but forgot to wipe my lens that caused the water spots.

As we parked, it was a surprise and rewarding to see this rainbow. I used a 300mm lens to get a close up but it was a bit of a blurr. You see the wind turbines in the background.

Blue skies as we reached North Shore in Salton Sea, a living desert. What a big change.

But life has full of surprises! This was taken at 1:15 p.m. The background shows the dust mixed with the clouds. The weather forecast says windy but did not expect a dust storm.

I did not expect to see beautiful sunset like this (control click) taken a year ago, but it was another surprise to see the volcanic mud pots. I thought it was man made, but when I heard the bubbling sounds and saw the steam, it was real.

Time to head home.

This post is linked to:
Our World Tuesday

Hosted by these wonderful ladies:
Sandy, Sylvia, Lady Fi, Gatina and Arija

and

Outdoor Wednesday

Hosted by Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer

California, Calipatria, Day Trippin', Meme, Mud Pots, North Shore, Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Salton Sea

Salton Sea

Dec 2nd, 11 / 5 Comments

The Salton Sea is an inland saline lake in the Sonoran Desert of extreme southeastern California. It occupies the Salton Basin, a remnant of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla. It is borderded on the south by the rich agricultural areas of the Imperial Valley and on the west, by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Both the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge are located on its shores.