The time has come, the lizard said, to talk of many things...of carrots, beets and rainbow chard...of peas and beans and raptor wings...why the sand is burning hot and why Borrego sings!
WELCOME ...A new resident ? Love the desert? Gardening a passion? Live in Borrego Springs? Thought you could not have a garden in the low desert desert? Ever wonder what desert living is like? READ ON !
Raised Vegetable Beds
Palo Verde
A River Runs Through It
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Moon Also Rises ( and Sets )
It's well known, isn't it, that Borrego Springs is famous as a " Dark Sky Area" ? That designation was bestowed upon us some time ago. And...I certainly agree that most nights here are inky black and open the starry heavens for all to view. However, some nights are glaring exceptions.
When the full moon rises in the east and starts its' nightly journey west it bathes Borrego in moonlight, often so bright that you can actually go outside and see the colors of things...umbrellas, furniture, trees, flowers...almost as well as you can see them in daylight! During these periods, the Park, ABDNHA and other organizations even offer " guided moonlight hikes " in various parts of the desert. We've never been on one, but have often walked to neighbor's houses or home from dinner at a near-by restaurant under the light of the moon.
But always a blessing it is not. I can't tell you how many times I have been awakened by something startling. The moon wakes me up when it shines directly on my face during the night. It is as if I have been placed in front of a strong spotlight...and it keeps me guessing as to when it will move on.
We had similar experiences like that at the beach, where we used to live but those were caused by the Police Helicopters who loved to shine their spotlight on the beach, sweeping it in giant arcs along the shore late at night...and those events were always accompanied by the beating of rotor blades and sometimes, even the loudspeaker telling anyone on the beach to get off. I can't count how many times we jumped out of bed and rushed onto the second floor deck to see what was wrong...once even silently observing a young beach fugitive hiding under the first story deck!
So, in retrospect, the silent luminous light of the full moon should be welcomed...accompanied by only the soft hoot of an owl or the distant howl of the coyote looking up at the bright light as he has done here through untold centuries!
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A New Borrego Garden Path
Pathway
It's a Boojum...
Boojum
Colorful Vine
Bees and Flowers
Citrus Blossoms
Ocotillo
Four Raised Beds, October
Desert Gardening
Desert gardening...what a pastime. Natives anxious to attack with thorns, stickers or burrs - earth always thirsty - critters always a step ahead of you - dainty moths turn into hungry caterpillars - coyote eats up part of the irrigation system - birds sample one fruit at a time - gopher pops up unexpected . Yet the first carrot, pea or tender piece of lettuce, the first lime or lemon of the season, the first cactus bloom , the first bright green mesquite sprig, the first bud on a plant...all give such a feeling of delight and satisfaction. Not to be traded for anything else! (JGP)
Super Addiction
When I started the blog, I thought a few words now and then would suffice...WRONG!
A strange pattern is emerging. Seems that guilt has stepped up to bat. Now, if I don't post every few days I FEEL THAT I HAVEN'T HAD MY FIX! I wonder if other bloggers have noticed this same phenomenom.
A strange pattern is emerging. Seems that guilt has stepped up to bat. Now, if I don't post every few days I FEEL THAT I HAVEN'T HAD MY FIX! I wonder if other bloggers have noticed this same phenomenom.
Beavertail
Borrego Dragon
The Borrego Dragon Fable
IN THE EARLY DAYS, coyote walked many paths. One day, as he was pursuing his travels, he came to a very wide valley. Others warned him as he approached the valley, " You must not enter this place...NO ONE who has entered has ever returned. It is a bad place, guarded by a giant dragon, who kills all who try to pass through. To continue your journey safely, we strongly advise you to go the long way...around this evil place." Well, coyote listened, for he was very smart and often heeded good advice. However, coyote was also lazy and was often prone to use shortcuts. He figured the valley would save him a lot of time on this particular journey. He looked carefully and saw nothing much to alarm him. He decided to enter and pass through the valley. At first, he noticed nothing amiss. However, as he traveled deeper into that still, quiet place, he thought to himself, "This IS an unusual valley, for sure...I see no movement of any type and I am getting to feel a bit strange about this place." He did notice, however, some tall straight trees which had lost all their leaves and made the place look barren, indeed. OH,NO...he also noticed, under the trees, piles of old BONES... and the more he looked, the more bones he saw. He said, " I sure see a lot of bones, but I don't see any dragon...I'll bet he no longer lives here." And, with that, he heard a thunderous voice which echoed over the valley..." HAH, COYOTE! You should have listened to the advice...You are in my mouth, which IS the entrance to the valley!" Oh,oh, caught in a trap. But coyote is smart and moves quickly...as he heard Dragon's first words, he raced to one of the dead trees and, with a mighty yank, pulled it from the earth. He wedged the tree between the Dragon's jaws and as he did this, many animals of all kinds came running forth...pumas, bears, mountain sheep and more...even the smallest animals, gnats, flies, tics, bees and more...lizards, snakes, toads, salamanders and more...all ran from the Dragon's depths to freedom. Coyote watched as Dragon's jaws closed upon the sharp tree stake. He soon died and from that time to this, many of those same animals live here, in this place...and from time to time, many of the old bones and pieces of the dead trees are found here, in this very valley!
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