Lotus represents purity of body,speech,and mind,floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire.Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul.The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise....

There is something about frozen leaves that reminds me of winters when I was a child. They came fast, it happened overnight like no summer had been there. All things slowly came to a halt. There was only winter and winter alone ... and it was cold .....

I have seen these caterpillars out in the California Anza Borrego desert and didn't understand its name until I saw a photo of the White Lined Sphinx Moth. It's also called Hawk Moth or Hummingbird Moth because of its hovering, swift flight patterns....

Daisy or Gerbera Daisy is the 5th most popular flower in the world just behind roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, and tulips. Their name comes from the English translation, daes eage, or "day's eye." Bright cheerful daisy blooms just make you smile.....

Evelyn of Bodie was the victim of a terrible accident that sent her to her untimely death. The townspeople were so heartbroken that they erected a guardian angel headstone for her. The winged cherub on her grave marker is mourning a precious angel......

Everybody has the right to wear a strawhat! Straws have been worn in all times. They are the least-changed form of headgear. A large wide brimmed medieval straw hat would draw no special attention if worn today. Straws are a cool way to stay cool.......

For millions of years the sun rises and the sun sets. Still, after seeing the sun sets for hundreds of times, we are still touched. There is little to compare with its brilliance. It catches us until the last of the twilights is gone into the night. ...

Snails have been around for at least 500 million years, which dates them back to some of our oldest fossils. They are said to count about 55,000 species in 8 different classes. Despite these facts the molluscs are among the least known animal groups....

With a 2000 year history of violence and murder, it is no wonder there are so many tales of hauntings about Edinburgh Castle. The most famous of these being that of the headless drummer and piper who have been seen playing on the Castles' battlements...

Nothing says elegance and grace better than long-stemmed, polar-white calla lilies. Their classic, clean, simple lines add a sophisticated touch to any room or foyer. Their blooms go with everything, and make all surrounding colors look much better.....

In 1955 the California gull, Larus californicus, was selected as the state bird of Utah in commemoration of the fact that these white gulls saved the people of the State by eating up the Rocky mountain crickets which were destroying the crops in 1848...

Rodeo Steer Wrestling, also known as bulldogging, requires not just strength but also finesse and skill. Speed, timing and leverage are essential. A winning time is usually between 3 to 4 seconds, but these big boys keep getting faster and faster.......

Bloody Mary: Take vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and lime. Shake with ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the wedge of lime and serve. Enjoy your cocktail...

Infrared Photo - In the late 1800s, during California's gold rush era, Bodie's population exceeded 10000.The boom lasted only twenty-five years, but in that period thirty mines had taken an estimated 100 million dollars of pure gold out of the ground...

In earlier times vases were only used to hold liquids, store grains, preserve the ashes of the dead, decorate gardens, hold cutlery and so on. Today the primary use of vases is to display flowers, and the vase itself became a decorative art medium......