Curiosity celebrates launch birthday, keeps on rollin' around Mars

Throw in a few clumps of sage and a tumblin' tumbleweed and this might look like Wyoming's Red Desert. But this is Rocknest on Mars. According to NASA, "this is a mosaic of images taken by the Mast Camera on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity while the rover was working at a site called Rocknest in October and November 2012." Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems. On Monday, the aptly-named Curiosity celebrated the first birthday of its launch from Cape Canaveral. Happy launch birthday, Curiosity! And thanks to LeftofYou at Kossacks on Mars.

A photo sampler from the Wyoming Outdoor Council's annual calendar contest

Skull Creek Rim, Adobe Town, Wyoming’s Red Desert.

Lupines, Happy Jack Road, Southeast Wyoming

Wyoming is a photographer's dream. Check out some of these shots by Laramie's Ken Driese. Ken submitted them to the annual Wyoming Outdoor Council calendar contest. See more: Photo Submissions: Spectacular Red Desert, Laramie Basin, and More

Tour the iconic landscapes of the threatened Red Desert June 18 with the Wyoming Outdoor Council

The Wyoming Outdoor Council has published its brochure of 2011 events. Here's one of the highlights:

June 18: Red Desert Rendezvous

The Outdoor Council is providing support for this event as part of our efforts to raise awareness of Wyoming’s spectacular Red Desert. This weekend rendezvous will offer at least three phenomenal guided tours: (1) A plein air painters’ campout (Friday night) near the Honeycomb Buttes. (2) A journey into colorful Adobe Town. (3) An iconiclandscapes loop with stops at Boar’s Tusk, the Killpecker Sand Dunes, and the White Mountain Petroglyphs. RSVP by Friday, June 3.