Lightning Storm: Tendrils of lightning glow red over Murrieta, as seen from La Cresta. Photo courtesy of Terry Krimsky.
Field in Bloom: A field of flowers in bloom in west Murrieta, despite the lack of rainfall this year. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Fog Layer: A thin layer of fog in the La Cresta area. Photo courtesy of Terry Krimsky.
Mesa View: A view of La Cresta and Tenaja, with Mt. San Jacinto in the background, from Redonda Mesa. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Planes at Sunrise: The sun rises over French Valley Airport. Photo courtesy of Ken Hannan.
Christmas Sunset: A colorful winter sunset, looking west towards the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Weather Front: Storm clouds move south into Wildomar and Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Lightning Strike: A bolt zigzags to the ground during a summer thunderstorm. Photo courtesy of Shane Gibson.
Sunrise Moon: A crescent moon rises ahead of the sun in this photo from La Cresta. Photo courtesy of Terry Krimsky.
Foothill Fog: The morning ground fog looks almost like smoke along Murrieta's west foothills. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Solar Eclipse: A rare annular eclipse above Southern California. Photo courtesy of Dan Mueller.
Super Moon: The bigger than normal full moon dominates the sky over Murrieta Hot Springs. Photo courtesy of Tom Shields.
Plum Tree Blooms: A purple plum flowers adorn this tree in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Audrey Humaciu.
Morning at the Park: The sun shines through a shade on a cool morning at a local park. Photo courtesy of Mary Schumacher.
Moon Ring: This moon halo, on a clear, cool night, is made possible by ice crystals in the air above. Photo courtesy of Kylie Giffin.
Above the Clouds: A training flight from the French Valley Airport leads to this spectacular view. Photo courtesy of Kylie Giffin.
New Year's Eve: Lights and high clouds mark the last few hours of 2011 in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Keith Schumacher.
Green Dragonfly: A dragonfly comtemplates a meal on a fiddle leaf fig. Photo courtesy of Marianne Gunther.
Santa Margaritas: A view of the Santa Margarita Mountain range, and Margarita Peak. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Pacific Ocean: The ocean glistens in the background in this photo from Redondo Mesa, in the Tenaja area. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Ocean View: Across Camp Pendleton, the Pacific Ocean looms in the distance, as seen from the Tenaja area. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Lunar Eclipse: An early morning view of the December, 2011 lunar eclipse. Photo courtesy of Brad Tade.
Moon Ring: Overcast skies create a ring of light around the moon in this time-lapse picture. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Sundown: Sun rays stream from billowing clouds. Photo courtesy of Marianne Gunther.
Local Thunderstorm: A thunderhead dropping some rain in Murrieta in this time-lapse scene. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Hanging Out: A frog settles in on the leaves of a tomato plant. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
August Fire: A fire bomber drops retardant on one of this year's few local grass fires. Photo courtesy of David Zamastil.
Milky Way: A view of the clear night sky from the Murrieta side of the French Valley area. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
August Lightning: A bolt of lightning hits the ground somewhere in the Anza area, as seen from Sage. Photo courtesy of Duncan Shand.
Fire Rainbow: A cirrus cloud fire rainbow (circumhorizantal arc) in the sky over Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
August Skies: A mixture of cirrocumulus and altocumulus clouds flows across the Murrieta sky. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Freeway Lights: A time-lapse image of cars on Interstate 215, from the Scott Road exit. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Cloud Buildup: Subtropical moisture is responsible for this thunderhead rising to the east. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Treatment Pools: A couple of treatment pools are the dominant feature from atop the west hills, looking across parts of Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Taste of the Valley: A booth at Murrieta's Taste of the Valley event, featuring samplings of local restaurants. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Mustard Flowers: Yellow flowers from this common roadside weed reach for the sky near Murrieta Mesa High School. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Snow Dusting: Elsinore Peak, above Wildomar, with a light covering of the white stuff. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
South Mountains: The Palomar Mountain range pokes up on the horizon, as seen from the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau's vernal pools. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Plateau Clouds: Clouds drift through the sky, casting shadows upon the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Cloud Ring: Winds shape a cloud in the form of a ring in this picture, taken near the French Valley airport. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Cattle Grazing: With the San Jacinto Mountains as backdrop, cattle lazily graze at the vernal pools at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Rubber Blossoms: Backyard Jade plants go into bloom. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Rain Aftermath: Flooded vernal pools at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Vernal Pools Trail: A peek at the peaks of the San Bernardino mountains from the vernal pools trail at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Cloudy Skies Ahead: Storm clouds loom above the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
End to End: A complete rainbow begins and ends in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Eric Childress.
Flooded Out: Part of Kalmia Street is flooded out and blocked off after the recent massive storm. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Full Creek: Runoff flows down Murrieta Creek at the B Street Bridge near Historic Downtown Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Sunset Front: Clouds move in at sunset, as seen from western Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Kylie Griffin.
Crows and Contrails: Crows making their sunset move to the common roost at the Murietta Retention Basin. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Santa's Helpers: Santa and two of his helpers arrive in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
California Oak: An oak tree stands alone in the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau Reserve. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Darkening Sky: Foreboding clouds darken the sky above the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Veteran's Day: A display of flags at the Murrieta Town Square, near the civic center. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Boardwalk: A view of the path at the northern vernal pools at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Rocket Launch: A multi-exposure capture of a Delta II rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Photo courtesy of Jim Lockyer.
Flying Proudly: Hundreds of American flags arrayed in rows at the Murrieta Town Center Park. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Eastern Light: The light of dawn illuminates clouds in the Murrieta sky. Photo courtesy of Joe Sulak.
Morning Sun: The sun begins its daily rise over the mountains to the east. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Lightning Storm: Lightning fragments and strikes near Lake Skinner, as seen from French Valley. Photo courtesy of Daniel Brincat.
Summer Fire: A fire breaks out in the western foothills - a harbinger for this fall? Photo courtesy of Keith Schumacher.
Juxtaposition: Just offset from a rainbow, a bolt of lightning reaches down from the Temecula Valley sky. Photo courtesy of Elaine O'Neil.
Sky Stretch: Parched weeds reach for the autumn sky in Glen Arbor Park in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Evening Storm: An evening storm brews at sunset, above Murrieta Mesa High School. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Through Palms and Cypress: A late season afternoon thunderhead builds in the distance, viewed though Italian Cypress and Palms. Photo courtesy of Crysania Bogedahl.
Scattered Clouds: At sunrise in this Murrieta neighborhood, a set of clouds sails overhead. Photo courtesy of Scott Chester.
Sunrise Sky: An array of clouds greets the morning sun. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Sunset Aftermath: The fiery aftermath of a day of subtropical thunderstorms. Photo courtesy of Tom Shields.
Sunset Storm: A dazzling array of thunderstorm clouds continued to send rain threaten rain and lightning at sunset. Photo courtesy of Moses de los Santos.
Beautiful Sunrise: Red rays herald the rising run over the San Jacinto mountains. Photo courtesy of Linda Carroll.
Blending In: A small, young praying mantis poses on a sweet basil leaf. Photo courtesy of Sue Wilhelm.
Fried Egg Poppy: The first large bloom of this plant seeks sun in a Murrieta garden. Photo courtesy of Bert Baluyut.
Flower Art: One flower stands out in this artistically altered photo from a Murrieta front yard. Photo courtesy of Kassidy Preisendanz.
Iceplant: Blooms face the sky in Glen Arbor Park, near Jackson and Nutmeg. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Western Ridge: The ridge of the Santa Rosa plateau can be seen over a hill in eastern Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Sun Soaking: Backyard grape leaves in the California Oaks area soak up morning sun. Photo courtesy of Kassidy Preisendanz.
Raindrop: Taking a break from the day's rain, a flower bends to yield a drop. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Sunset Shine: Sunset colors shine on the clouds above. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
January Sunset: The second sunset of the New Year, captured from northern Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Joseph Sulak.
Evening Colors: The light of the evening glows softly off of distant clouds. Photo courtesy of Reginald Stanley.
Morning Fog: A layer of fog coats lower Murrieta, looking west from the Mapleton area. Photo courtesy of Carol Sulak.
Firefighting Huey: A helicopter pilot from San Diego assists in the containment effort of the La Cresta fire. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Rising Smoke: A trail of smoke rises from the La Cresta fire above the Bear Creek development in northwest Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Hose Down: Kids enjoy a 'hosedown' from our local firefighters at Murrieta's 18th Birthday Bash 2009. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Baby Bird: A little birdy pokes his head out of a nest under an overhang. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Cloudy Evening: Clouds abound above the city after sunset. Photo courtesy of Joe Sulak.
Marble-sized Hail: Evidence of hail after a June thunderstorm cut loose. Photo courtesy of Heather Dailey.
Cloud Wave: The underside of a rare June thunderstorm looks like rough seas. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Sunny Pair: A pair of Suncups blooming in Cole Canyon signal the end of winter. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Ribeting Swim: A frog makes its way across a vernal pool at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Siriwam Walsh.
Spring Blossoms: A bee enjoys pear blossoms in a Murrieta front yard. Photo courtesy of Lisa Amstutz.
Tree Climb: Clouds at sunset viewed from atop a neighborhood tree. Photo courtesy of Heather Dailey.
Peach Blossom: Flowers bloom ahead of a fruitful season. Photo courtesy of Heather Dailey.
Nesting Hummingbird: A hummingbird peers out of a tiny nest in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Carr.
Four Leaves: A montage of autumn leaves from a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Irridescent Clouds: A glowing afternoon sky from Cole Canyon at the Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of John Garrett.
Sunset Scatter: Illuminated clouds are scattered across the sky at sunset. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Solie.
Setting Sun: Rays of light color the clouds and summer sky in the evening hours. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Solie.
Sunrise Sprinklers: Sprinklers work diligently at dawn at the sports park. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Sunrise Silhouette: Flowers wake up with the sun in Murrieta, near Vista Murrieta High School. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Summer Blossoms: Early morning light illuminates these flowers near Vista Murrieta High School. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Dry Spigot: An old faucet outside the remains of an old school in Historic Downtown Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Garden Nap: A lazy summer day for "betsy-boo" the cat in a backyard garden. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Happy Birthday: Pre-Independence Day fireworks mark the City of Murrieta's birthday. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Solie.
Dragonfly: A blue dragonfly basks in the mid-day sun above a Murrieta pond. Photo courtesy of Dan Mueller.
What Buzz: A honeybee harvests pollen from a brightly colored flower. Photo courtesy of Dan Mueller.
Spring Babies: Young hummingbirds wait open-mouthed for a meal. Photo courtesy of Dan Mueller.
Falling Hail: The height of a hail storm in French Valley, with pea-sized hail bouncing off the pavement. Photo courtesy of Dan Mueller.
Lady Bugs: A few of hundreds of Ladybug beetles on a backyard tree in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Donal Pearce.
Spring Arrives: Trees and green grass greet the change of seasons at Nutmeg Park in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Joel Pratt.
Spring Meadow: A windmill and water tank situated in a green meadow north of French Valley, with golden poppies filling the hills. Photo courtesy of Mick Herod.
Flowering Tree: A close-up of spring flowers on a brown dogwood tree. Photo courtesy of Keith Schumacher.
Hillside Gazanias: A multi-colored smattering of gazanias fills a Murrieta hillside. Photo courtesy of John Lenz.
Lone Dandelion: A dandelion clock on a grassy field, ready to make a wish. Photo courtesy of Ariel Starkweather.
Blooming Crocus: A purple crocus brightens a front yard garden in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Bert Baluyut.
Road Wildflowers: Golden poppies and assorted wildflowers along Mesa Road, east of Temecula and Murrieta and south of Hemet. Photo courtesy of Ron Murray.
Pink Ground: Ground Pinks blanket the side of the Los Santos trail at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Purple Rain: Raindrops accessorize a purple flower in a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Cloud Peek: Blue sky is visible through a multi-layered cloud break. Photo courtesy of John Lenz.
Lunar Eclipse: After February 20th, the next total lunar elipse won't occur until 2010. Photo courtesy of Tim Wood.
Eastern Snow: Mid-afternoon Valentine's Day snowfall at an Aguanga RV resort, east of Temecula and Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Nancy Maisenbach.
Snowy Mountain: A Valentine's Day view of Agua Tibia to the south. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Seasonal Pond: A trio of ducks make use of a seasonal pond. Photo courtesy of John Lenz.
Running Stream: A seasonal stream near Las Brisas full of runoff from recent rains. Photo courtesy of John Lenz.
Clouds Over Murrieta: Layers of storm clouds flow over the Murrieta sky. Photo courtesy of John Lenz.
Monster Mushroom: A 10" tall mushroom sucks up all the recent rainfall near the base of Wiashal Trail. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Carr.
Stormy Night: The moon glows behind passing storm clouds. Photo courtesy of Chris Groll.
Front Yard Flowers: Spied on a January stroll, colorful flowers mark a Murrieta front yard. Photo courtesy of Chris Groll.
Backyard Begonia: Raindrops cover begonias after showers fell on a Wildomar backyard. Photo courtesy of John Gonzalez.
After-storm Sunset: Fading light illuminates a cloud formation after recent rains. Photo courtesy of John Gonzalez.
Western Clouds: A bright sunset over the Santa Rosa Plateau, as seen from Historic Downtown Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Bob Hagel.
Crimson Sunset: A brilliant, fire-induced sunset seen through tree leaves. Photo courtesy of Michelle McWilliams.
Autumn Dewdrops: A leaf wears dewdrops from the early morning sprinklers. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Poomacha Fire: Ominous nighttime flames rise from a flank of Auga Tibia, as seen from the Temecula Valley. Photo courtesy of Douglas Leany.
Rosa Fire: Flames from the Rosa Fire in De Luz, as seen from Temecula cresting one of the western hills of the Temecula Valley. Photo courtesy of Douglas Leany.
From Space: Smoke winds across the Pacific Ocean in this view of the Southern California wildfires from space. Photo courtesy of NASA/U.S. Forest Service.
CDF Huey: A California Department of Forestry Huey helicopter shuttles water to drop on a Menifee Valley brushfire. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Sky Crane: Fitted with water tank, a sky crane helicopter makes the transit between Northwest Murrieta and a brushfire in the Menifee Valley. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Sky Pancakes: Looking east to the San Jacinto mountains, a couple of clouds seem like pancakes in the sky. Photo courtesy of Ed Daniels.
Nearby Shower: Early September rain hit some spots and not others, as illustrated this burst over Wildomar. Photo courtesy of Keith Schumacher.
Yellow Butterfly: A butterfly flits around the flowers in a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Marshmallow Clouds: Big, billowing thunderclouds off to the east, framed by trees. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Campground Storm: An afternoon thunderstorm prepares to dump rain on a bunch of campers at Lake Skinner. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Sunrise in America: An American flag greets the Murrieta sunrise. Photo courtesy of Tom Shields.
Young Trio: Three juvenile Black Phoebes rest in a backyard in Northwest Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Cilantro Blossom: White blossoms on Cilantro plants growing in a backyard garden. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Backyard Beauty: Flowers reach for the sun in this Murrieta yard. Photo courtesy of Alora Formoe.
Apple Blossoms: A sign of some fruit on the way this summer in a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Fire Engines: A trio of fire engines that responded to a brush fire near Bear Creek. Photo courtesy of Carl Bratschko.
Creek Blaze: A fire consumes the brush at the old Bear Creek Airport in Murrieta Creek in Northwest Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Hanging On: A little lizard hangs onto a rope above a Murrieta backyard pool. Photo courtesy of Matt and Tanya Gillick.
Fence Sentinel: A lizard catches some rays atop a Murrieta fence. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Baby Bunny: This wild rabbit doesn't venture too far from the protection of the bushes in a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Sandy Wood.
Young Bobcat: A young bobcat takes a break from hunting coot at the Bear Creek Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Gary P. Mineo.
Fiery Sky: Early morning colors over the Temecula Valley, taken from Bear Creek in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Gary P. Mineo.
Rainbow Pyramid: A rainbow appears to create a pyramid in the sky among some low clouds. Photo courtesy of Linda Carroll.
Wildflower Bloom: An irrigation-assisted Arroyo Lupine wildflower blooms in a Murrieta front yard. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
New Year Deer: A mule deer wanders about the Santa Rosa Plateau on New Year's Day. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Last of 2006: The final sunset of the year in Murrieta, over the western hills. Photo courtesy of Keith Schumacher.
Thanksgiving Clouds: Clouds float above the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Angela Gimov.
Radiant Sunrise: Rays of sun pass between the clouds near Clinton Keith Road and I215. Photo courtesy of Athena Stafford.
October Sunrise: The rising sun illuminates cloud formations on their way over Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Tom Woods.
Fall Sunrise: A spectacular sunrise viewed from Northwest Murrieta greets the first day of October. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Storm Front: Blowing dust is the vanguard of a severe storm, as seen from the Bear Creek area. Photo courtesy of Linda Carroll.
Sunrise Contrails: Aircraft contrails criss-cross cloud formations at sunrise over Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Ashley Carr.
Dinner Time: Two roadrunners look for their next meal above the Bear Creek golf course. Photo courtesy of Gary P. Mineo.
Summer Bloom: A colorful Zinnia doesn't seem bothered by a hot summer day. Photo courtesy of Jeff Carr.
Mountain Sunrise: The sun peeks out from Mt. San Jacinto, as clouds flow westward. Photo courtesy of Jeff Carr.
Incoming Storm: Clouds overhead as thunderstorms hit the valley. Photo courtesy of Mark Ritter.
Backyard Bloom: A flower shows pink colors during a summer bloom. Photo courtesy of Kristin Daniels.
Trumpet Vine: An inquisitive wasp hovers over a blooming trumpet vine. Photo courtesy of Charles Rasmussen.
Old Timer: This modified Ford Model T Lakester brightened up the Father's Day Car Show at the Sports Park. Photo courtesy of Dave Norton.
Winged Hunter: The uncommon and unique-looking Phainopepla hunts in Cole Canyon, in northwest Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Southern Sky: A partly cloudy morning above the Temecula Valley, looking south from Bear Creek. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Misty Oaks: A heavy marine layer descends on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve among the Englemann and Coast Live Oak trees. Photo courtesy of Guy Bruyea.
Baby Hawks: Baby red-tailed hawks wait for a parent to return with food in their nest at the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Spreading Wings: A butterfly suns on a flower in a Murrieta backyard. Photo courtesy of Charles Rasmussen.
Spring Rainbow: A rainbow rises over a water-logged Murrieta meadow. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Jimenez.
Spring Star: Shooting stars kick of the annual wildflower bloom at the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Granite Slope: Late winter greenery on the adobe trail at the Santa Rosa Plateau Preserve. Photo courtesy of Tim Sullivan.
Valley Dawn: Sunrise over the Murrieta hills, as seen from Copper Canyon. Photo courtesy of Jeff Carr.
Storm Break: Storm clouds clear from the Murrieta sky, as seen from Bear Creek. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Streaking Clouds: A whirled column of clouds advances across the Murrieta sky. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Soaring Hawk: A Red-tailed Hawk with dark-morph plumage soars over the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Azure Clouds: The speckled sky over La Cresta at dawn, as taken from Bear Creek. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Hill Sunrise: The glow of dawn over the Murrieta Hills on a December morning. Photo courtesy of Gary Mineo.
Wiley Coyote: Looking for roadrunners and other prey on the Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Beep Beep: A roadrunner hunts in a field in northwest Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Darryl Medley.
Colored Dawn: The sun rises red to the west avove a Bear Creek home in Murrieta. Photo courtesy of Linda Carroll.
Oak Meadow: A rolling meadow from atop Monument Hill at the Santa Rosa Plateau, dotted with oak trees. Photo courtesy of John Hunneman.