Enduring Beauty

These centuries old pine trees on Highway 18 are some of my favorites. 

They've been sculpted by winds, ice, snow and rain into amazing shapes.

Enduring, persevering... 

Growing more beautiful, I think, as time passes. 

Linking with: Skywatch Friday

Wednesday Around Here

It's almost August and thistles are blooming... 

Thunderheads are dotting the sky here and there.  Mostly there, as in way to the east over Big Bear. 

The elderberries are ripening fast, almost ready to pick. 

I wish some of the rain clouds would rain on us... 

But they keep their distance, eventually disappearing behind the haze of smog that fills the San Bernardino valley this time of year.


If you want to see more of what Wednesday looks like around the world, click here 


And...I just realized it's Thursday!  Oh, well...

Amazing Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas are putting on a beautiful show in my back garden. 

I only managed to save one plant from the ravages of plumbers last winter; there was a leak in a pipe and they dug up almost all of my back yard trying to locate it.  They never did find it and resorted to capping off the leaky line and running a new one.

The back garden is slowly being put to rights, but I won't post any photos of it until it's completely done.  I'll just focus on the hydrangeas' amazing ability to produce so many colors on one plant!


Linking with: Amaze Me Monday
                       Through My Lens

Sunlight and Shadows

Coming home from a friend's house down in Cleghorn Canyon last week I was struck by how autumnal this scene looked.  The trees are dead, but still beautiful, victims of a fire a couple of years ago.  The brush is pretty much this tan color year round, except in the spring.  But, it makes a nice change from up here in Crestline... 

...once in a while.


Linking with: Shadow Shot Sunday

Morning Light

Morning sunlight shining through my studio's windows brought out the light faeries. 

They're very elusive creatures, only coming out when the atmosphere is just right. 

When they appear in the house my cats love to chase them but, happily for the faeries, my studio is a fur-free zone. 

"I beg your pardon!  I have fur, and so do many others who live here, Victoria!  Fur free zone indeed." 


Oops... 


Linking with:  Through My Lens

Summer Sunlight

Shining through an alder tree at Lake Gregory.

Skywatch Friday

A pretty sunset from several days ago.  The skies have been hazy lately from all the fires in California.  There have been at least four in these mountains since the start of summer, and there's one burning right now about 15 miles to the east of me.  Hopefully, our wonderful firefighters will have it contained soon. 

Linking with: Skywatch Friday