Unreal

 

...but real! Last night's sunset was one for the books.

Spring in the Winter

 

The Anza-Borrego desert is really blooming; usually this happens in the spring, but there has been a lot of rain in December. It's not a super-bloom--though really really lovely--but there were no super-bloom crowds. We only ran into one other carload of people while we were there... 

Drama

Dramatic skies on the way to Borrego Springs earlier this week...

Merry Christmas 2025

Always fun to do a Tallulah Mae throwback on Christmas. 

Christmas Tumbleweeds

 

Today it was exceedingly windy, and as we were driving on the 5 Freeway, many large tumbleweeds were blowing across the road. We've lived in Southern California for 40 years and have NEVER seen tumbleweeds on the freeway. Freaky!

Turtle Yoga

 

The one in front appears to be doing some version of sphinx pose...

Rump of Yellow

Our migratory friends are starting to pass through...this is a yellow-rumped warbler. Photo 3 shows how it got its name and why birders refer to it as "Butter Butt."

Why?

 

Can someone please explain why you would want an ornament shaped like a stick of butter? Am I missing something?

In the Wild

Time for the annual photograph of this amazing poinsettia plant growing outside a house in my neighborhood. Love it!

Gorgeous

I usually prefer the classic red poinsettia, but this one is so pretty.

Corvid Convo

The crow with the white feather from yesterday's post was part of this crew, who stayed in this tree cawing and squawking for a good 20 minutes.

One White One

I have seen this crow a few times before but have never gotten a photo of it--it has just the one white feather. Kinda odd, kinda cool!

Too Cute

 

This is at the Estancia Hotel...I do love that someone named their dog Mr. Stripes...

Flying High

Old School

(Unfortunately, the food isn't very good.)

Succulent Daisies

I was very surprised to look over at this succulent area and see these daisy-like flowers; I've never had any succulents before with these blooms. Pretty!

Another...

 

...moon photo! This is the third super moon in a row and the first one that has looked even remotely yellow/orange (it is taken rather low in the sky). Where are people seeing those gigantic-looking moons?! (Those are power lines, BTW, not lines across the moon.)

Amaryllis Time!

Centered

 

Green, Yellow, Red

A sweet little Swinhoe's white-eye perches on a gorgeous pomegranate. Primary colors abound! (More photos of the Swinhoe's to come...)

He's Back

This nutball towhee is at it again...we've tried now to cover both mirrors completely. Silly bird.