Inspiration Avenue Challenge

"What inspires you?" was this week's question over at Inspiration Avenue.

Well, I didn't really have to think very long. Everybody who comes here knows how much I am inspired by photography - color, composition, light, focus.

And turn it into art.

I love it.

Winter Desert Trip (3): Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Our family is crazy about animals. We don't have any pets because of heavy allergies, but that doesn't mean that we don't love them. We enjoy wildlife, and it is an absolute highlight if we see wild animals during our trips. Therefore, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in the Tucson Mountains has always been a must for us - we visited every time we came to Tucson, and of course, last time was no exception.

"Museum" might not be the right term, it actually is a zoo that displays flora and fauna of this special desert. No need to create habitats for the animals, they're already there. I was surprised to learn that beavers live in the desert and more than delighted to see Mexican wolves. This kind of wolf is almost extinct in the United States, but during the past few years it has been re-introduced into this area and hopes are high that they will settle down and multiply.

So - take a look at some of the animals that call the Arizona Sonora Desert home.

Harris hawk

Ocelot

Bobcat

My absolute favorite: Cougar (mountain lion)

There was a lot of yawning going on.

Just look at her! She really made eye contact.

Prairie dog, praying

Another favorite of mine: Mexican wolf. Incredibly beautiful.

Second WOYWW of the Year

Hello WOYWWers, I hope that 2011 has been good to you so far, you're warm and hopefully the flu bug hasn't met too many of you.

It seems that my table always looks pretty much the same:

Yes, I DID clean up last week, both table and floor, but it doesn't take long until the table looks messy again. This time I got out the "love stuff" - I'm currently designing my Valentine's class. Valentine's Day is NOT my favorite holiday, but it's so popular here in the US that it would be pretty stupid not to offer a class on Valentine's cards. This time, however, I want to try to avoid red and pink as much as possible and work with colors that you don't find that often in combination with Valentine's. I have to admit that after what had happened last week I'm having a hard time getting into the "heart stuff". Sorry that I mention this again, I'm still not comprehending it and can't make any sense of it (will I ever?).

Short and sweet today, and if you want to know what I am rambling about you should visit our "Queen of snoop" Julia at Stamping Ground. Enjoy the journey!

Frosty Images

We had a very cold night, and when I stepped out onto our deck this morning, I saw that frost had painted beautiful images on our patio table.

Doesn't it look like angels' wings?

Winter Desert Trip (2): Saguaro National Park

After having left Palm Desert our next destination was Tucson, AZ and the Saguaro National Park - our third visit to this area. Those saguaros are kind of a landmark for deserts, but you actually only find them in the Sonoran Desert. They are very impressive plants and give home to a variety of birds and little critters.

The National Park has two parts - one in the Tucson Mountains to the west, and one in the Rincon Mountains to the east of Tucson. I never can decide which one I like better - the Rincon one has a beautiful scenic loop with gorgeous views whereas the Western part is rougher with dust roads. In the Tucson Mountains you also find the fabulous Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum which is such a jewel (that will be a separate post though).

We visited both parts, one in the afternoon and one in the morning of the following day. The light was difficult on both days and quite a challenge for taking photos. However, I hope you enjoy this peek into this special desert.

Mesquite trees protect and shelter young saguaros

A mesquite tree up close

I love to take pictures while lying flat on my belly or at least kneeling down to get a different perspective. However, that doesn't work in the Sonoran Desert - I only knelled down once, ouch!!! Stupid me! So I just held the camera down to the ground and shot away "blind" - not too bad, eh?

A dead saguaro

A barrel

Some prickly pears look like they have teeth

There are several kinds of cholla in the park. This one is a teddybear cholla.

This one houses a bird's nest.

Chollas in all kinds of colors...

A dying cholla...

... and the remains of one. 

And another cholla!

Now what is this? After we consulted the Track and Scat Guide we knew it wasn't coyote but javelinas. They are found all over the area.

This photo and the top one were taken in the Rincon Mountains part (the other ones all over the place). The overcast sky gave the mountains this purple color and it almost looks as if a thunderstorm was coming up. However, there was no storm, but I like the somber mood of this picture.

And the Winner is...

Kaefer named a number this morning to find out who is the lucky winner of my Yosemite calendar.

It is... - drumroll please...

Susan at Windrock Studio !!!

Congratulations, Susan. Please e-mail me your mailing address and I'll send the calendar on its way.

Orange Please!

Last night, when I couldn't sleep, I decided that it is time to move on. This was a horrifying week, and I sincerely hope that it was the worst week in 2011. A HUGE thank you to all of you for your comments, prayers and e-mails - this has been so much help, and I know that one day Katie's family will feel the same gratitude for this wonderful community as I do (they already do).

But I think it is time to move on - and I'm convinced that this is exactly what Katie would like us to do, living life to the fullest just as she did.

I visited Inspiration Avenue just to check what their weekly challenge is, and it's an easy one - about color. Which is my color? Well, of course it's

Orange is bold and bright, daring and full of life, feisty and fun. It doesn't always fit in and it doesn't get along with everyone. It brightens up a dark place and is the light in spooky times. It's earthy and strong, powerful and magical; warm and welcoming. It stands out, is different. But it is also maturity and wisdom combined with playfulness, though sometimes plain silly.

I need more orange in my life, and I'm determined to get it!