Joshua Tree Wildflowers
First of all, apologies for not posting this sooner. I visited this area in mid-March this year. I understand Joshua Tree National Park still has plenty of nice flowers blooming at the north entrance and other areas – albeit different ones.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places in California. It’s relatively close by, and I’m smitten with the “wonderland of rocks” and the quirky Joshua trees. Read the rest of this entry »
Barker Dam Trail – Joshua Tree NP
Barker Dam Trail
A very nice short hike in the Hidden Valley area of Joshua Tree National Park is the Barker Dam trail. There are a few climbing and bouldering routes past the dam, and except for a little scooting around rocks, it is an easy trail. Read the rest of this entry »
Wonderland of Rocks – Dusk to Dawn
Hidden Valley at dawn, Joshua Tree National Park, California
Ryan and Amy wanted to go rock climbing in one of the world’s premiere spots – Joshua Tree National Park. Who knew? These rock pillows and piles didn’t look very impressive to me, as far as conquering goes. But apparently they are very challenging, and very scratchy.
However, they are very beautiful, especially at dusk and dawn. Some of these images are taken right in the campground, or very near it. Read the rest of this entry »
Christmas Bird Count – 29 Palms, California
Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park
On Sunday I went to my third CBC in Southern California. Bill and Herman live in the area of Joshua Tree National Monument and were familiar with the areas. Like most birders, Bill checked places where he had seen such-and-such a bird before. For years afterward, certain rocks or trees or areas will always be remembered as “the place I saw….” That’s the way we birders are. Read the rest of this entry »
The Peppy Phainopepla
Male phainopepla in flight
The hard-to-pronounce word (fain-o-PEP-la) is Greek for “shining robe” according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These unique birds of the Southwest congregate in areas of abundant mistletoe, and they typically eat more than 1,000 of those berries each day. Read the rest of this entry »
