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.

Santa Fe's Cathedral Basilica

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is the heart of the old city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The cathedral was built between 1869 and 1886 on the site of an older adobe church built from 1714-1717. Unlike most of the surrounding buildings, the cathedral was built in the Romanesque style.

Leopard in a Tree

This female leopard was relaxing in a tree in Kenya, most likely after a night of hunting and before heading off to bed. They seem to enjoy this position of being draped over a large tree limb. We first spotted this female leopard walking on the ground. A couple of other groups left when she appeared to disappear into the rocks. But our guide saw her in the tree. We waited a few minutes to make sure everyone else was gone, so we got to spend several minutes alone with her before she headed off to sleep.

My Tall Friend

Meet Daisy, an endangered Rothschild giraffe at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. She is one of the resident giraffes that will gently use her long, sticky tongue to take a giraffe pellet from the lips of anybody willing to 'kiss' a giraffe. (Don't worry, giraffe saliva is antiseptic). 

I have visited the center three times, and it's always a thrill. If you're ever in Nairobi, check it out, and say hello to Daisy for me.

The King

This handsome male lion was part of a large pride in the Borana region of Kenya. There were three adult male lions in the group, along with several females. We followed them at a safe distance for close to an hour, until it was too dark. The males walked within a few feet of our vehicle, paying us no attention aside from once brief sideways glance from one of the males.

These animals, both male and female, exude such power and confidence. It is magical to be in their presence.