1/27/13

Palm Springs

We had a fine time in the desert where, improbably, it was raining.

IMG_0353

That's the big Marilyn statue on Palm Canyon Drive, as seen from the car.

Downtown Palm Springs has its charms, but we come for a different set of charms.

IMG_0180

When did Coachella Valley burn? Couldn't have been too long ago.

IMG_0178

IMG_0204

IMG_0206

I rather like the visual effect on the landscape. At least for picture taking. The feeling is different if you live here, I suppose.

IMG_0188

Does any of this look familiar?

IMG_0192

I'm fairly certain I commented on this exact ocotillo the last time I was here, just about 2 years ago.

IMG_0194

It was sunny and warm, with blue skies then. This time was as if Mother Nature had trans-located San Francisco's moody coastal weather to Palm Springs. Wet, foggy, not exactly cold, but definitely not warm. That's okay. It was a thrill to see the desert in the rain. The ducks in the oasis had no complaints.

IMG_0210

Besides. California's natural history is all about rain after fire.

IMG_0218

IMG_0229


IMG_0232


IMG_0233

IMG_0255

IMG_0261

IMG_0279

IMG_0290

IMG_0292

IMG_0295

IMG_0300

IMG_0303

IMG_0305

IMG_0317

IMG_0323

IMG_0328

IMG_0330

1/13/13

Rodin, at Stanford

The light was all wrong for taking pictures in the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center today. But I took some anyway.

IMG_0025

IMG_0020

IMG_0003

IMG_0006

IMG_0014

IMG_0018

IMG_0017

Admission to the outstanding Cantor is free, and the sculpture garden is always open. Do go!

1/12/13

Winter in the back 40

Pretty colors in morning light.

IMG_9949

A lot of basic green tho'.

IMG_9957

I don't get to see who visits the birdbath during the afternoons much any more. One day again I'll be a man of leisure. For now, I'm a working stiff. It's nice to be wanted, anyway.

IMG_9954

The aeoniums go dormant in summer and basically sit there. Winter is their growing season.

IMG_9956

Also the Cestrum elegans. Heavy bloom, coming soon.

IMG_9968

I moved the dracaena outside a few years ago when the kittens were inclined to climb it. And knock it over. And make a big mess. Maybe I can bring it back inside now. They've mellowed out some. Anyway, I'm impressed it's done so well outside although it must be agonizingly root-bound. Guy does not love houseplants. Getting it back inside will be an uphill battle. Once it's back inside, I think he'll get used to it. I'll do it when he's gone, I guess.

In the meantime, I have a lot of pruning to do...

IMG_9960