Plant: Chinese pistachio tree in Colorado Desert......

When I saw this gorgeous orange-colored tree in the midst of the grey Colorado desert, I was stunned. At that time, I had no clue about the identity of this majestic tree. Now, after much literature browsing, I  know, it is 'Chinese pistachio tree', another tree like sweetgum, sycamore, Callery pear and cottonwood to let autumn paint its foliage canopy with its choicest shades........

It was difficult to escape from the spell of this blazing splendor.

This moment was magical for me! Had not seen so brilliant a tree!

A man was enjoying the autumn splendor with his two bushy Golden Retrievers under the vibrant tree....

Observation: Lovely bird houses................

I am touched with the hospitality shown to birds here. I mean the bird feeders, bird baths and bird houses  set up in the backyards, gardens and parks. 

I have been fascinated with the diverse designs and sizes of them.... 

That's why, an amazing diversity of avian flora thrive in Orange County, infusing cheer in the lives of the people through their colored plumages, flights, chirps, warbles, glides, swims, swoops, hops... 

Blue birds throng this blue box suspended from a lofty pine in Tewinkle Park...

Weather-beaten, but cute...

Only American birds are allowed or what??

Displayed in a shop.......

Sitting pretty on the hedge...

A rough-hewn, lovely one hung from an olive tree.......

Spotted near Cleveland National Forest. Birds prefer the woods or this?

Reflection: Perfect rainy evening............

You may not find anything significant about this picture. But, this snap portraying a simple chair  and a porcelain ashtray full with cigarette butts, is a symbol of some peaceful, relaxing time spent with self. Sitting on the chair (with an absorbing book perhaps), smoking till saturation, watching the rain lashing the bush lily leaves and drops dripping from the branches of leafless copper-toned peach tree creates an illusion of a perfect rainy evening.

As I was biking in my neighborhood, this rain-soaked romantic novel and Marlboro box lying on the sidewalk lawn caught my attention..it had rained the night before ..weather was as pleasant as it seems after the first shower... I imagined, the reader had a fabulous time enjoying the fiction while puffing on the cigarettes.

Observation: Lush lawns............

Verdant lawns...they are treat for the eyes, so for the feet.....inviting o roll on them...and to lie down and read a book..

I love the bright glow of the green turf illuminated by the long slanting rays of the setting sun. Such lush greenery offer satiating feast for the eyes. The tall and shapely ash trees are accentuating the appeal of the landscape. 

Observation: Plane take-offs and landings.........

A passenger plane about to touch down at the nearby John Wayne Airport.  Together the pink-purple sky and the distant Coast range mountains create an amazing scenery, as the dusk looms over Costa Mesa sky.

Another flying over Upper Newport Bay.........

Plant: Calendula....

Calendula flowers blooming along the streets .........

Brightening the summer days..

Blooming in autumn..

Apart from beauty, they do have medicinal value..........

Bird: Pretty house finches...........

Many house finches reside in the boxwood, natal plum, silverberry and mockorange bushes of our apartment complex and neighborhood... It's refreshing to be woken up by their raucous noise emanating from the feeders. From car shed, roof top to the yucca and willow tree, they are seen everywhere. With their melodious chirps and warbles they render the otherwise monotonous campus lively and cheerful.

On a bougainvillea branch.......

On a camphor tree....

On a bare wild cherry tree....

A male house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) on a bird table....

The seed eater perched on a feeder.....

A female finch atop a Yucca tree......

Vibrant against the azure sky.......

A female finch sits alone on a fence......

A male swings on a willow bough..........

On a Southern magnolia...

One can never get tired of watching these tiny charmers.