I first posted about Surprise Tank here, and the date of my hike was 3.26.17. A great hike, but it wasn't much more than a mud puddle behind the dam. Many of these old dams or tanks are dry during much of the year, so it takes a little luck, and a little planning, to catch them when they're full.
Not much water, although I felt fortunate to find any water. But I made a mental note that it would be great to revisit Surprise Tank when there was more water. Fast forward to 10.27.2018 when I made my second hike to Surprise Tank. Below is a photo taken from approximately the same area.
Big difference, don't you think? Water capacity still not full, but a lot more water than during my first visit.
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| Joshua Tree infinity pool? |
Drum roll please... perhaps the first ever underwater photo taken at Surprise Tank in Joshua Tree National Park! I know what you're thinking... Why would anyone in there right mind want to take an underwater photo in this little pond? Good question, and I guess "right mind" might help answer it! 😉 There were some little critters swimming right up to my GoPro camera. Brine shrimp? (probably not... water is not salty enough). Freshwater copepods? (most likely).
On my cross-desert hike to Surprise Tank, I found these old bleached out bones.
If I had to guess, I would say jackrabbit. Probably met its demise at the hands of wiley coyote. But that's just a guess.
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| Bighorn Sheep track. There were quite a few tracks in the area. |
The rock formations in the Surprise Tank area are really very cool. Here's a sample of some of what you would see if you visit the area.
I hope you enjoyed this little hiking trip to Surprise Tank in Joshua Tree National Park. It's always a treat to see water in the desert, and the rock formations are icing on the cake!
Oh, and I almost forgot... Warm Wishes for the Holidays!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
I love the desert and I love rocks and no one I know of on the blogs does both better than you. The desert is magnificent, don't you like it in winter? That much water is beautiful too. But it's the rocks and your photography that touch my heart. Have a wonderful holiday season.
ReplyDeleteA starkly beautiful area.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteWow! great scenes. Love the reflections and starburst with silhouette
ReplyDeleteGreat images. It's surprising to find water in the desert, but the desert does need a little water for all the plants and critters that live there.
ReplyDeleteI always love your photography and trips. Thanks for the underwater peak too.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pics.Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from India.
Engaging text and wonderful images, as always. Love that sunburst!!
ReplyDeleteI visited Surprise Tank a few weeks after this after a hard rain. It was full and I got great pictures. My favorite time to visit is early morning as the light is perfect and lights the whole area.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ian. I'm not much of a morning person, but knowing the light is good might just motivate me to get out there early sometime!
DeleteLovely photos, especially the sunburst. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images. The water and different formations look so striking together.
ReplyDeleteI bet decorating that Cactus was prickly job. LOL
MB
I'll bet the critters are glad to have the pond. As always your pictures are great-- better because you are not in your right mind, I think. Merry Christmas, my friend.
ReplyDeleteStarburst with silhouette is absolutely fabulous. Taken daytime?
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, daytime focus with exposure set for the sky, so rocky boulders become silhouettes. ISO 100, 1/800 sec, f22, 35mm.
DeleteAmong a lot of other things I have missed your post about the tank last year. I'm glad you visited it again. It's beautiful and what a difference with last year.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your loved once Merry Christmas, Peter.
Yes that water is a great surprise in the desert and those rock formations are stunning as always. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAwesome skywatch photos and some great reflections. Amazing what lives on in what seems like a dry pond. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to see the water and the reflections, along with the stunning rocks and desert scenes you capture. Amazing! Have a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pics and your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of various "rivers" I had visited that were dry 10, 11 months a year.... Just watch out where you are walking on that 12th month!
♥
ReplyDeleteI REALLY need to get out your way!!! While I'm young enough to still breathe
Nice deco,Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWow! What timing for finding 'tank' filled and underwater life! ~ Great post and fantastic sky shots too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Your rock art photos are delightful!
ReplyDeleteRocks are interesting we don't have anything like that and most of rocks are granite.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sky
The dessert through your photos looks so beautiful. Love the rock formation and the sky shots. The pool is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful landscape! The sight of water in the desert is a surprise but I imagine there are lots of surprises out there. Beautiful images as always. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family and a wonderful Happy and Healthy 2019.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing pool of water. Testament to the original builders on how it has held up over the years with no maintenance.
ReplyDeleteI love your adventures and outings.
Beautiful hike. It's no surprise your photos are great! Happy holidays to you. And Happy New Year too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunlight.
ReplyDeleteEven after all these years in the desert, it still startles me to see bodies of water in wilderness places. Lovely shots!
ReplyDeletewhat a difference.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays! That Christmas tree is very charming.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays.
May 2019 will be full of joy, health and love, for you and you loved ones.
Best wishes
Maria de
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco
Beautiful post ... it was a Perfect gift even before the last fun picture. Water in the desert is the best! Thanks for showing it both in the way we have been lucky enough to see it and in a way we never even would have thought of! Thanks for the beauty and the memories. Enjoy the Holiday with your family!
ReplyDeleteAmazing desert pictures !
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas !
How delightful to see pictures with water. The reflections are terrific - double the pleasure, double the fun. Merry Christmas to you my friend, and I look forward to more of your posts in 2019!
ReplyDeleteThese are just fantastic photos! You definitely got your timing right for to see the water. I always love seeing photos from that part of the world. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhen we lived in El Paso, Texas we visited Hueco Tanks, a natural sink in the desert surrounded by quite similar rocks. Likewise one never knew how much water it contained, if any at all. Water is such a valuable commodity for the wildlife. When there was water there was much more to see! Happy Holidays to you too!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. The rock around the water in Surprise Tank are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
cheers, parsnip and badger
Great series. I hope you had a wonderful Xmas.
ReplyDelete