Sunnylands Reflected~

by still waters. (click/tap to enlarge)

The harsh desert,

softened,

by silent pools.

Trees offer shade,

in the fierce summer heat,

allowing buds to bloom,

and thrive.

Water,

turns Sunnyland,

into wonderland.

Cheers to you from The Annenberg Gardens in Palm Springs California~

226 thoughts on “Sunnylands Reflected~

  1. No garden untended is why I am here. I’ve learned my tactile nature. I want to touch. It is a thirst. So you understand, you I treasure but this place does not feel welcome for me. Maybe it is a fault in me.

  2. Hi Cindy
    we have never seen so many cacti before.
    They are not our favourite plants but you photographed them well.
    Have a happy week
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  3. What a gorgeous place! I love how these cacti are blooming … and how they look almost like so many pumpkins nestled around these trees. Thank you, Cindy, for sharing them — happy Sunday to you!

    1. Yes. With more rain, cacti bloom more often, even out of season, like these are doing. Normally they only bloom in spring. Even though these cacti are drip irrigated, the intense and continuous rains we have experienced for many months now in Southern California, are causing all cacti to bloom profusely. Seeing these blooms in mid-September is unusual. Thank you for your thoughtful interest Jennie & be well my friend დ

  4. What a fascinating garden design. I can imagine how not only the pools, but the symmetry of the whole landscape, contributes to a calming of the nerves that might be frayed by the heat. Thank you for sharing this place!

    1. You are so exactly right Gretchen. Uncanny since you haven’t visited, but that is exactly the affect it has on you, and for the reasons you mention. The cooling effect of the water in precise reflective pools is like Zen-like geometry. All combine to be utterly calming. Thank you for knowing დ

  5. Oh these are so amazing Cindy, so unusual in how they are placed. I love it. Mind you, it brought up the image of all those ‘pods’ in the movie ‘Alien’ 🤣 But, all the same it truly is an amazing display. Great pictures dear lady, a delight to see 😀❤️🙏

    1. Happy you enjoyed the cactus garden Margaret. I relate to your reaction. I remember traveling in Africa and getting super excited over the crocodiles basking in the river. A local person sniffed at my enthusiasm, saying, “Well, they are very common.” But, to me, they were far from common and incredibly exotic! So I am very happy you enjoyed the exotic garden. It is quite unique to my eyes too დ

    1. I know. I grew up in this region. I can’t imagine the creativity it took to come up with all this, and the slender pools, easily visually neglected, but reflecting everything in geometric perfection. It is so amazing it is almost annoying! 😉

  6. Hmmm…, Cacti…, That’s a rather sticky subject now, isn’t it??? The pics are great,Cuz, especially the first 2. Did authorities ever catch your firestarter? Take care, darlin’ girl, g’nite 🌜✨

    1. Smiling…..Thank you cuz. Prickly but pretty. They have not caught the fire bug. There was just another fire, but I think this may have been a grease fire which burned down a much loved Mexican Restaurant. Take good care Paul დ

  7. Cindy, thank you for such awesome photography contrasting water, trees and vegetation. So diverse forms of cacti too. Now I know what you have been doing since I last heard. Enjoy your weekend. oxox

            1. Yes, I understand the pure joy. Happy for you all! The twins turn 5 this weekend. They are here all the time. I don’t post about them. They have a right to choose how much online exposure they want, and they aren’t old enough to do that for themselves yet.

    1. Yeah, I think it really is. Good on you for knowing this! I didn’t, until you just wrote it. It is a very wealthy deceased person’s estate donated to the US government. I don’t care much at all about all of that. But I do love the cactus ‘farms’ and the farmers who made and still maintain them. Cheers to you Sandi. And thank you დ

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  9. Anonymous

    I love those dessert roses. It makes me feel strong when I see how something can survive the most challenging environment! Great work! as always!!! 🌵🌵🌵

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  11. I remember reading that some of the cacti in Az are dying due to lack of rain…
    Years ago I saw tons of old cacti (is is 20 or 50 years to grow an arm?) and some had 7 – 9 arms! And were huge!!

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