So beautiful – and so important too during the drought.
Is a 2,851 acre protected nature and wildlife preserve,
located in the southern California desert and extending up into the adjacent San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.
These photos were taken in late October.
Southern California is still in the worst drought in memory,
but the year round Whitewater River is still actively flowing in the desert, aided by earthquake faults trapping water run off from Southern California’s tallest mountain, the 11,500 foot Mt. Gorgonio.
This geological anomaly creates a natural oasis,
that sustains a host of wildlife including bear, bighorn sheep, and mountain lion,
as well as plants, palms and flowers, all in the midst of the baking hot desert.
Cheers to you from Whitewater Preserve~
For more information on the preserve see: https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/whitewater
Art, animals, and the earth 
When it comes down to why I like to blog, it is because I get to know people like you. Thank you for your compassion and concern Sharon. There are not enough people like you.
That is so sweet of you, Cindy. You are so appreciative of everything and everyone – especially the beauty found in the world of nature!