Monochrome Weekend / Dead Tree in the Rocks, Joshua Tree National Park, California USA

This dead tree adds to the spectacular scenes out in Joshua Tree National Park.

Notice a little bit of life emerging from between the rocks on the right.

Monochrome Weekend

Shadow Shot Sunday / Joshua Tree National Park, California USA

 Click on photos to enlarge!
There are many intriguing shadows on the desert.

These were found on the loop trails of  Hidden Valley (top photo) and Barker Dam (bottom) at

Joshua Tree National Park, California USA

April 17, 2010

Shadow Shot Sunday

SkyWatch Friday / The San Andreas Fault Zone

 Click on photos to enlarge!
These photos were taken at Joshua Tree National Park at Keys View, which is nearly 6,000 ft. in elevation.

Straight across the center of the desert floor, horizontally, is the San Andreas Fault which runs through the Coachella Valley in southern California.

 This fault runs parallel to the California coastline for about 800 miles and in some places is 10 miles deep.
This part of it can be readily seen from the higher elevations on a clear day.
It was a bit overcast last weekend so the view appears hazy.
 To understand more about the San Andreas Fault Zone you can find information here.

 We were able to get a very nice view of it from this area.
I have stood on the edge of it closer to my own home...which is scary when I think about how close we are.
The dark horizontal streak is easily visible in this photo.

Keys View offers an incredible look at the desert floor of the Coachella Valley and beyond.
An overcast sky during the late afternoon, Saturday, April 17, 2010.

SkyWatch Friday

 Looking at the Sky on Friday

ABC Wednesday / "N"

 Click on photos to enlarge!
The theme is N for nature and natural.
We spent a wonderful day out in nature last weekend.

This is a scene of the Joshua Tree growing in its natural desert environment.

This is the northwest side of Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA.

The natural growth pattern of the Joshua Tree is so unique, they are all so different.

This one has had a few problems but still artistic in form, I think.

The blooms are making their appearance at the top of each tree.

They naturally grow straight OR crooked, whatever is nature's plan.

ABC Wednesday
The theme is "N" for this week.

That's My World Tuesday, Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot / Climbing Rocks at Joshua Tree National Park, California USA

 Click on photos to enlarge!
The theme for Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot is stairs.

These are not images of conventional stairs but these people were certainly looking for steps to put their feet... all the way up these rocks and then all the way back down again.

A day at Joshua Tree National Park was our world this past Saturday.

We hiked and stopped often to watch people climb everything they could get their feet on!

Okay...they made it to the top!

Now what?

Let's look around for awhile and marvel at how high UP we are!

Wow!

They seem to be taking the same "stairs" back down.

This is another couple in another place, but, they too were determined to find those natural steps UPWARD!

These two are climbing in the Jumbo Rock area of Joshua Tree.

Hmmm...these two seem to want to be alone for a while.

This amazing rock is called Skull Rock...I can't imagine why!
People wanted to climb into his eye sockets and nostrils to have their pictures taken.
They are much closer to the ground so the hunt for steps was not much of a challenge.
Even I could do it!

This is a better shot of the face of  Skull Rock.

These kids were part of a big group in the nearby camp ground.
They are contemplating which way to go...or just look at it.
It was getting late and I was hoping they chose NOT to start climbing and get stuck in the dark.
So...That's My World from this past weekend!
We enjoyed the loop trails and the sights of Jumbo Rocks at
Joshua Tree National Park, California USA,
only a 2 hour drive from our home.

That's My World Tuesday

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot
The theme is stairs.

Color Carnival, Mellow Yellow Monday and Ruby Tuesday, / Claret Cup Cactus AKA Mojave Mound Cactus in Joshua Tree National Park, California USA

 Click on photos to enlarge!
This is the Claret Cup Cactus AKA Mojave Mound Cactus blooming ever so nicely at Joshua Tree National Park which is about a 2 hour

 drive from my home, and northeast from Palm Springs, California.

We spent our day on several loop trails around the park and found this cactus along our way in many places.

These were found on the Hidden Valley Loop Trail.

There were so many more off the edge of the trail where I chose NOT to venture for the chance of meeting up with a rattlesnake!

We eventually took the Barker Dam Loop Trail...

and found this beauty nestled near the water.

Color Carnival

Ruby Tuesday

 Mellow Yellow Monday