"High Desert Habitat"

I have a strong connection to the Buttermilk Hills below the Eastern Sierra Mountains. While I am not crazy about desert environments per se, the abundant ground cover vegetation makes this area different from my perspective. I do love dry grasses and flowering bushes, even if not extremely colorful. Mixed with the cold blue stormy backdrop, and it sets off the subtle yellows of this habitat. On this morning, I expected the clouds to ignite, but the conditions were not cooperating. Still, the blueness is a strong complement, so for this reason, I think it works well. Whenever I am in this area, I always make time to explore this region. As well as the ground cover, the various boulders are impressive, making this a rock climbers paradise. I have spent some wonderful mornings roaming this arid landscape. Please enjoy the Larger preview to take in the fine detail! 

Thanks for your insights. The Larger preview recommended!

Superb exposure which may not have been easy in this situation. The foreground is vivid and the composition is nice. I especially love the contrast between warm and cool. Wonderful

Seven for the special wonderful mood created with the light!

PDE

Thank you Sonia and Pierre!!

I agree to Pierre: the mood you're conveying is very special and overwhelming, maybe because the scenery reveals a pretty tough environment to the viewer, where survival seems to be the "first duty" (for plants and animals), but it is immersed into such a friendly light in the foreground and attractive colors so that the viewer wants to explore it and taste / experience the rough beauty and wilderness of this land. IMO this special contrast creates this mood. 3 and 4? Cannot understand... BR / Volker 

Thanks Volker! Oh yes, we must have 3s and 4s or we might get too smug! I appreciate your kind observations!

I just posted one where 5 of the 8 ratings were a 3 or 4 (no comments from anyone, of course).  It isn't my best work ever, but, well, it's still one to be proud of, if I do say so.  There is clearly no thought in stuff like that, and unfortunately, PN doesn't require a name or a comment (even anonymous) when you decide to toss a rotten tomato.  I'm sure that if the < 3 ratings were allowed, we'd see a glut of those instead.

Nice image, BTW.