Wednesday's Winding Road

I snapped this through the windshield this past spring.  I know I should stop and get out, but time doesn't always let me.

I probably shouldn't be taking photos while driving, either.  Not that I'm looking through the viewfinder; I just hold out the camera in my right hand and snap.  Amazing any of them turn out in any viewable condition at all...especially since the windshield is so spotty!

Tigers Like These Mountains

Usually these Humboldt Lilies (Lilium humboldtii spp ocellatum), commonly called Tiger Lilies, are done blooming by this time of year.  I found these today in a very shaded area in the middle of some cedar and dogwood trees.  They're native to Southern California mountains and foothills.  Once considered invasive, now they're on the endangered list, mostly due to loss of habitat.  I'm always surprised when I see these flowers in this forest because they look so exotic and tropical.  But California is the only place in the world where this species naturally occurs!

It's interesting how these flowers propagate themselves.  They grow from bulbs, but they make those bulbs from little seeds.  In the fall the seed must land on exactly the right spot in the soil where it can burrow in and rest over the winter.  If there is enough winter rain, the seed makes a microscopic bulb and sends up one small green shoot that looks like a blade of grass.  It takes about five to six years for the bulb to get big enough to produce flowers.  I found an online nursery, Las Pilitas, that sells the bulbs.  They're out now, but I'm going to check back next spring to see if they have some for sale.  Here's hoping...

A Quotation for Monday

"Rest is not idleness and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."  John Lubbock

Sunday Sunsets

Lots of clouds around this July, but no rain.  I thought for sure it would rain today; the sky was very dark for several hours and thunder rumbled.  I could smell the rain, but it wasn't reaching the ground.  It's been too dry here for too long.  The weather "experts" have been talking about an El Nino that might occur this winter, which may bring us lots of rain.  I sure hope they're right.  By sunset all the clouds had cleared out except for a few that stuck around to give us a pretty sunset.  At least the lightening didn't start any fires and that's a LOT to be grateful for!

Weeds

My husband took one of my photos and altered it somehow in Photoshop.  I thought it looked rather like a painting.  But... 

I kind of like my photo of the weeds just the way they really looked.  I need to find out the name of these plants because I've always thought they were beautiful once the got to this stage.  So delicate looking...

Wednesday's Winding Road

A Quote for Monday

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart.  It's a way of life."  Henri Cartier-Bresson

Faeries Friday

I think this Faery is trying to pretend that she's a butterfly...but to do that, she'd better get her sparkles under control!  I hope she won't be disappointed that the toadstool is just ceramic, instead of magical...

Wednesday's Winding Road

On the backside of Hwy 138, coming up from the Mojave Desert.

It's Tea Time

Thanks to Vanessa for hosting this!  To see all the party posts, click on the badge on the right.  Now...

"Oh, I say, March Hare, good to see you here!  Have you seen Cheshire?  

"Yes, White Rabbit, he's up in the trees.  I've seen other magical folk, too."

"March, I hope the Fae Folk behave themselves.  You know how they can be sometimes."  "Oh, I don't know about that, WR.  Some of them are quite charming." 

"Well, we'd best get on.  Tea party is waiting..." 

"Hi, I'm Fay Bunn!  Follow me, the rabbit always gets lost...'cause he won't listen to me."

"Hello, I'm Alice.  What.  You didn't know I'm actually a Faery?  Well.  I'm from Storyland, I can be anything I want to be.  But as Alice, I'm 149 years old!  Trust me, I look way better as a Faery.  And, trust me on this, too: If something has a label that says 'Eat Me' or 'Drink Me' don't touch it!  The tea party is just round there...but don't tell Fay you could find it without her.  She has such fun at these parties."

"Right here, right this way!  I'm sure the human will be along shortly." 

Hey, I'm so glad you're here, welcome!  I've lots of treats for you... 

Lavender wine in Faery goblets...

Scrumptious lemon cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes with raspberry jam filling, a strawberry-mocha-chocolate cake, carrot cake (my favorite), two kinds of tea and delicious chocolates with a cream center. 

Wait a minute...this teapot had chocolates all around it.  Who...? 

Fay!!  "Well, you should have kept your eye on me, I mean them.  You know I can't, I just can't, can't, can't resist chocolates!" 

Well, I apologize.  No chocolates.  Who would like a cup of tea? 

"ME!  Fill 'er up, I wanna soak my paws.  All this directing has given me sore tootsies!"  (Don't worry, I washed the cup...now on with the party).

The roses are starting to sparkle...a sure sign that the evening faeries are around. 

And it's getting dark.  There goes little Fay, probably off to some other party.

Thank you so much for coming!  A very happy unbirthday to everyone!  Oh...I never did see the Mad Hatter, did you?  Or the White Rabbit...

"I say, where is everyone?  Oh my ears and whiskers, I'm late again!" 

"Poor White Rabbit, he's always late.  But, I'm sure Glenda the Good Witch will see that the little fellow gets his tea and cake!  I know, different story.  But hey, I'm La Luna...and perhaps other folk, too.  Look up tonight...I'm full...and I shine the same light on each and every one of you."

There's Going to be a Tea Party...

In Blogland this Saturday!  There will be lots of parties to attend (including mine).  You can find the complete list over at A Fanciful Twist (click on the badge over on the right of my sidebar)...hope to see you on Saturday!

Wednesday's Winding Road

I had pulled into a turnout to take this photo at twilight because this is one  curve where one really wants both hands on the wheel.  Then I looked up and saw ...

The moon, balancing on the branch of an enormous pine tree and looking down at me.

A Quote for Monday

Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for one day.  Teach a man to fish and you'll have the whole weekend to hang out with your girlfriends!

You can quote me... :-)

Wednesday's Winding Road

A couple of portions of Highway 18 winding its way up the sides of the San Bernardino mountains.  Look closely, you'll see the tiny cars.  This was taken in May of 2009. 

A closer look.  In the middle right of the photo you can see how the bridge makes a loop like half of an eight laying on its side.  If you take the bridge, you're on Highway 138 and will eventually wind up in Crestline. 

These photos were taken from around 4,000 feet in elevation, and the highest peak in the background in Mount San Jacinto, 10,834 high (3,302 m).