A Return to Petroglyph Wash

 If you're intrigued by Native American petroglyphs like I am, you would really enjoy visiting this wash. My previous visit was about a year ago, and this post gives you a good overview of the glyphs you see as you hike up the wash. There is one panel of glyphs that was a favorite:

I got to wondering how these beautiful glyphs might look under the moonlight. I was also looking forward to showing Petroglyph Wash to my hiking partners who had never seen it, so off we went. It's a heck of a long drive (on top of my 2 hour drive out to my desert house), and also a significant hike. This area gets few visitors.

 

Looks like the profile of a grumpy face!

 

There were a lot more plants blooming than last time I was here, so I challenged myself to try to capture glyphs and flowers together. You see the glyph?

 

A closer view of the glyph.

 

This is called Ghost flower. What a beauty!

 

Nadine amongst the purple blooms.

 

I'm totally intrigued by these desert ironwood trees. As you can see, they can get to by quite large (especially by desert standards). They commonly live for 800-1,500+ years. Yes, you read that right! The wood is so dense and toxic to fungi that, after the tree dies, the remaining trunk or snag can remain for another 1,600 years or more, standing dead for centuries. They are a critical species and considered "old growth". Unfortunately, the wood is highly prized for things like making knife handles and in some areas the trees have been over-harvested. Imagine these same trees being here as Native Americans traveled this wash on their way to finding a water source!

Ironwood snag. Probably 2000+ years old!

 

Multiple faint glyphs.

 

Perhaps not surprisingly, I find my memory is a little off during the hike. I recall the glyphs being closer, but as we continue up the wash and the sun is setting, I'm unable to find it. We decide for one last push up the wash, over or around non-stop boulders...

Finally!! I was feeling terrible that we couldn't find it after all the time and effort we put in, so this is a relief.

Petroglyph rock by moonlight.

 

With a bright moon and clouds, we didn't get many stars, but a beautiful night!

Does this shape remind you of a cell phone??

 

Now for the hard part. Climbing down this wash in the dark by headlamp prroves to be a challenge!
 

Finally out of the difficult part of the wash, my hiking partners look like ghosts because of the long exposure.

This Ironwood snag casts a eerie shadow!

 

I'm up early the next morning and treated to this beautiful desert sunrise!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Flower Moon

 The Flower Moon was actually on May 1, but April 30 (when these photos were taken) was better from a photography point of view. Why, you ask? Because moonrise was an hour later on May 1, well after sunset, and it would be semi-dark. If all you want is a picture of the moon, May 1 would work fine. If you want some foreground in your photos, April 30 works much better.

April 30, about 7:15PM on a beautiful, clear evening. Still no moon visible to the east, but some nice color in the sky looking west. I really enjoy full moon nights when moonrise and sunset times are close together!

 

 

Ah, hello beautiful! 7:29PM. Moonrise was 7:01PM, but the haze was blocking visibility earlier.

 

 

7:50PM - dark blue sky.

 

 

 

It's dark enough that I need my headlamp, which does a nice job lighting up the leaves!

 

Good for future Halloween posts!

Photoshop creation... In honor of the Flower Moon!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Morning Skies in the Desert

 I've probably mentioned it before, but I'm not a morning person. I'm a slow starter and a coffee drinker, and I prefer photographing sunsets to sunrises. But every once in a while, when I happen to be out at the desert (and I happen to be up early enough), the morning sky will capture my attention. I have three response options:

1. Nothing special, go back to bed.

2. Pretty sky. Stumble outside with my cell phone and take some shots.

3. Exceptional sky. Get out the big camera and tripod ASAP before the sky changes.

 

On a recent morning, I was gifted with a category 3 response. It was well before sunrise when I woke up and noticed the sky, and I had plenty of time to dig out my big camera and tripod. 

Looking E/NE. 

 

I tried cropping the first photo for a different look. Normally I'm not a fan of people leaving outdoor lights on 24/7 (light pollution), although I recognize the need for security. But in this photo, my neighbor's cabin makes for an interesting foreground.

 

The view north. I love this little homestead cabin, with the rocks of Indian Cove (Joshua Tree National Park) in the background. I was getting a nice light reflection off the window. 

 

Looking north toward the Marine Base.

 

Now it's time to go make some coffee. Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thankful for Open Space

 There are two large parcels of open (undeveloped) space in my neighborhood, and when I can't get out to the desert, this is where I hike. They are often referred to as "the last large undeveloped parcels in North Orange County". Both are far from pristine. They were owned by oil companies and covered with pumpjacks. There's probably a lot of oily hydrocarbon residual in the soil. But something magical happens to property that is fenced off and ignored by humans over time. I'm guessing it's probably been 50 years or longer since the last oil pumps were active.

I'm proud that my city has purchased the east parcel and turned it into a nature preserve. I hike there often. The west parcel is still in limbo. I'm not sure who owns it. It's the prettier of the two parcels, with striking sandstone cliffs, amazing 360 degree views, and an abundance of plant and animal diversity. I don't think the city has enough funds to purchase it (yet), but there is still hope. It's still fenced off (as it's been for 50+ years), but there are big openings in the fence and I'll admit to occasionally hiking the area. It will be heartbreaking if it gets developed into still more homes and suburban sprawl.

I ran across wiley coyote a couple days ago. These hills are called Coyote Hills for a reason, but in the hundreds of times I've hiked here, I've never seen a coyote out in the open during mid-day. She didn't seem at all concerned with my presence, and at one point started coming in my direction, before deciding to veer off to the left.

 

 

 

Digger bees dig their little burrows every year in the same place (as long as the soil is left alone/undeveloped). This was a cool, cloudy day so the bees weren't active. On a warm sunny day, this area would be abuzz with activity! By the way, digger bees are extremely beneficial. They are efficient pollinators for flowers, vegetables, and orchard crops. They are non-aggressive and help improve soil health by aerating it, and they rarely sting, posing little risk to humans or pets.

 

 

My friend "Rusty", the scupture honoring the Basque sheepherders that settled the area many years ago. His dog scupture is out of view on the left. I give him a high five every time I hike by. People seem to enjoy dressing him up!

 .

 

Another first was spotting this great horned owl on Monday. He was perfectly still and I almost missed him. As I was taking this photo, it's mate swooped down and flew past, as if warning him to get away from this silly human. They both flew away, but what a special treat to see them!
 

Dry pond.

Same pond back in February after a rain!

 

 

I saw the bunny after the coyote, but far enough away that it was safe.

 

 

 

 

A very special place that I hope will be preserved for future generations.

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Linking with Skywatch Friday.