When we get used to our surroundings, it’s tough to pull back and see what’s around us in a new way. Fortunately, our cameras help us to overcome this shortcoming. Our habit of taking photos has helped to train our eyes to see the unexpected in the ordinary:
Neutral background with a few pops of color. ..taken after a walk at Coachella Valley National Wildlife Preserve, east of Palm Springs.
Repeating patterns….of rocks and ring-necked ducks lined up in horizontal lines, taken on a walk at Whitewater Preserve.
Contrast of dark and light…of an insect exoskeleton on a tree, taken on a stroll through our Palm Springs neighborhood.
Bold color….taken at the edge of the road close to where we’re staying.
Unusual sighting…of a roadrunner perched on a wall down the street from our AirBnB. We were only a few feet away. Not something we see every day!
Random pattern and colors…of a stone wall, near the start of the Henderson Trail in Palm Springs.
Since we started traveling (nonstop) over two years ago, we fell into the habit of always taking our cameras along with us – currently an iPhone 6 Plus for Joe and a Sony RX100 for Beth. In a pocket and over the shoulder, they go on walks with us, sightseeing, and even to the grocery store. We take photos every day.
We’re enjoying all the little “natural wonders” that we see daily and don’t know if that’s due to our slowing pace in retirement or the photographers’ eyes that have given us a slightly different way of observing the world. Maybe both.
February 2015
simpletravelourway 
Great photos. Loved the road runners when we were there a few months ago
Thx. We hadn’t expected roadrunners in our neighborhood.
The words and the photos really help to complement each other, don’t they? Thanks for the walk-along.
Thx to Palm Springs for being so photogenic.
Great to know that other people also see beauty in the simplest of things.Wonderful always a great informative read.