Images of Smoke from Yosemite Fire drifting down over the Southern Sierras.

I took these pictures around 6:30 a.m. today. Last evening - we saw smoke from a fire burning directly east of us. It appeared to be a small fire. I saw no smoke there this morning.

Scenes from Morro Bay, California - these are as seen from beach by Morro Rock.

Time to start blogging again.

This year has been totally hectic. Home and cabin improvements with tree removals and lots of tree trimming in the mountains.

Image of the New Melones Reservoir before it was filled with water.

This is me circa 1976 or 1977. That bridge is way up there. This was our last visit there before the reservoir was filled. Makes me think of Hetch-Hetchy and wonder if the "other Yosemite Valley" will ever be restored.

Image of Lizard trapped in wire mesh. Lizard has aqua spotting on back.

I was able to release this lizard using wire cutters. I was careful not to touch him. He fled as soon as the wire's tension was released. He is now in my fern garden. The wire has been removed. He looks like an alligator lizard but the coloring is new to me.

Images are Pink Single Oleanders in my San Joaquin Valley Garden

Images of Purple Water Hyacinths Blooming in Garden Fountain.

Images of McDuff, a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd. He was a pup then.

Home Improvement Project - June 2009 - New Roof and A/C Unit by End of this Week

Our shake roof was removed and will be replaced by composition shingles.

Garden Images - Apricots ripening in San Joaquin Valley Garden

These are homegrown apricots. Birds peck them and foxes gather fruit as well. Most will be totally ripe by Friday due to higher temperatures. Snails and insects also gather on the fruit.