how graceful!
A mosaic tiled “swan bench” provided while watching them
Pansy ( I think) encroach over the side of the lake
Orange Crocosmia added more colors to the serenity
This post is linked to:
Archive for the ‘Meme’ Category
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
Odd Signs Along Rte 66
Jan 25th, 12
/ 19 Comments
We took Rte 66 from Los Angeles to Sedona, AZ last Spring and saw these signs!
Koi crossing in the middle of the desert?
I prefer dressed chicken
5¢ a dance – I thought it was free
Slightly used napkins and straws – I do not recycle these!
This post is linked to Lesley’s Signs, Signs
Salinity at Salton Sea
Jan 24th, 12
/ 18 Comments
Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, noted for its abundance of birds along its shorelines, and just below the water’s surface, there is also an abundance of fish.
“California’s Crown Jewel of Avian Biodiversity” – a name that scientists has called Salton Sea.
Tilapia, the only fish living, is a prolific breeder and has well adapted to the Salton Sea. It is an important source of food for birds and fish. They die-off for a lot of reasons. Since they are a native to warm freshwater areas, when the water is under 55 degrees in the Winter time, they hardly survive. Other factors involve around the ecosystem, which I am not an authority to write about it.
Salt levels in the sea are increasing due to evaporation. It is also well noted that it is 25% saltier than the ocean. Salt water is denser than fresh water and has less oxygen for the fish.
Over 70,000 shorebirds were counted in Salton Sea, making it as one of the most important places in the interior of North America. The gulls are the largest.
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Hosted by 2sweetnsaxy
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