Out On A Limb

This lion cub was part of a large pride of females and cubs that was returning from a night of hunting in Kenya. The cub had more energy than the accompanying adults and found this dead tree a great place to play.

Sunset from Lion Rock

This lovely sunset was photographed in late July 2017 in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya.

Unseen in the foreground was the so-called Lion Rock, a large rock formation on which a large pride of lions liked to rest in the morning after a night of hunting, and to look for prey in the evening before heading off to hunt.

Bicycle and Bakery

I'm not sure why, but this street scene of an old bicycle parked in front of a bakery in a small town in England caught my eye. 

Although I didn't enter the bakery or buy a sweet treat, I think the bicycle is a great prop to draw attention to the bakery. The scene is quaint and far-removed from so much of today's in-your-face advertising

Winter Sky

Winter in New Mexico sees some amazing sunrises over the mountains. Clouds are more common than during the summer, and the rising sun frequently turns them a beautiful red and purple. 

I usually am up and dressed long before the sun starts to peak over the mountain top, and I try to keep a camera nearby so I can dash outside to capture Mother Nature's beauty before it disappears.

Reaching Skyward

In late November, I made a short hiking trip to Palm Springs and to Joshua Tree National Park.

The Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia,is native to the Mojave Desert in southern California. The trees also can be found in desert areas of Nevada, Utah and Arizona. 

The tree was named by Mormon settlers crossing the Mojave in the mid-19th century who believed the trees looked like the biblical character Joshua, who lifted his arms skyward in prayer. 

Joshua trees grow quickly for a desert plant, growing up to 3 inches/year during the first 10 years of life. They lack the rings typical of most trees, making it impossible to determine their age. If they can survive the heat and lack of moisture of the desert, they can live hundreds or even a thousand years.