July 29, 2011 (Lakeside) –Thanks to Mike and Cathy Sears for sending in this photo of a surprising visitor in the birdbath outside their home on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.

“It’s one of two red shouldered hawks in the area,” Mike said. “The hawks will even in get in and splash around in the bird bath.”

March 29, 2011 (San Diego's East County)-- Signs of spring abound! 

The past couple of weeks, our photographers found no shortage of birds and bees, flowers and trees resplendant in spring foliage.  They also spotted signs of wild life both on the trail and off,  as East County residents heralded in St. Patrick's Day.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Daren Sefcik

March 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- You just never know what you might encounter on the trails in East County!  Photographer Daren Sefcek headed out to the Anza-Borrego Desert to take photos of wildflowers in bloom--and captured a close-up of this yellow-backed spiny lizard on the trail. 

February 23, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- What can be more welcoming than a warm sunny day after the winter rains?  Our readers and photographers have documented the wonders of nature--and human nature, from the sands of Anza-Borrego Desert to the top of Palomar and Laguna Mountains.  We had so many great shots this week, we're posting a bonus edition of our "photos of the week" feature just for your enjoyment!

February 20, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- February brings out the beauty in East County, as these photos clearly show.

 January 3, 2011 (San Diego's East County) - our photographers and readers have provided a wealth of amazing images in 2010--from dramatic news stories to astounding nature images to heart-warming images of humanity. 

We hope you"ll enjoy our 50 most compelling photos. Which is your favorite?  Please share your opinions in our comments section below!

January 1, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Trever Richardson took this awe-inspiring shot of sunshine on the horizon, viewed from a hiking trail at Louis Seltzer Park in Lakeside. 

Send your best photos to editor@eastcountymagazine.org!

 October 22, 2010

No kidding! Youngsters had a great time at the San Miguel Fire open house in Spring Valley earlier this month, where this boy got a close-up look at goats owned by Johnny Gonzalez; the four-footed brush clearing team is used to create firebreaks in East County’s rural areas. Photo by Miriam Raftery.

“My son grew up here in Boulevard and loves what God gave us,” wrote reader Leslie Mauris, who submitted this photo of boulders balanced as if by divine design.

Scroll down to see more amazing images of East County.....