Do you ever forget to post stuff, and the photo files get buried on your computer's hard drive? Happens to me all the time, and such is the case with this post. I made a 6.5 mile round trip hike to Indian Cove in June of this year. As I was reviewing the photos, I checked my blog just to be sure I made the post. Sure enough, nothing posted. I wonder how many additional hikes I've photographed that never saw the light of day??
Perhaps one of the most notable things about the Indian Cove area are the rocky peaks. They are beautiful in the late afternoon sun. Even better, I can hike to them right out my door. It's not a short hike, but even so, I'm so fortunate to have this scenery close by. I've posted about this area multiple times (most recently here).
Mojave Yucca (above) are very common in the Indian Cove area. Joshua Trees not so much. The elevation isn't high enough for them to be at their best. In the photo above, I was having fun with my fisheye lens.
About 2 miles from my house, there's this very nice shelter (below).
Here's the view from inside looking out. It's a beautiful, shady shelter and it has a nice feel to it. There are lots of signs of Native American life in the Indian Cove area, but I can't find anything here. No rock art, no slick, smooth area on that rock in the center (i.e., signs of grinding), and no pottery sherds. Even so, I know I'm not the first to rest in this shady, cool shelter, and I strongly suspect its use dates back to Native American times.
Yin & Yang rocks. I wonder if they were a single rock millions of years ago, and just weathered and split?
This is such a quiet, serene hike that I'm surprised when I come around a corner and can see the views of 29 Palms off in the distance. It feels much more remote. Did you notice the red barrel cactus growing on the rocks?
Scanning the rocks, I think I spot something that looks like a little cave or alcove. The shot above was taken with a telephoto lens. With the naked eye, it was much harder to spot. Let go take a look.
A beautiful little cave! Easy, level entrance. Let's go inside for a closer look.
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It's quite a nice view looking out the front "door"!
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| Little critter #1: Antelope squirrel |
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| Little critter #2: Desert cotton tail |
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| Little critter #3: Quail |
This particular quail is actually the "lookout" for the covey of quail in the area. He was on this high point and being very vocal, no doubt letting friends and family know of danger (me) nearby!
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| Looking north |
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| Looking south |
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| Everything along the base of the far mountains is part of the 29 Palms Marine Base. |
Thanks for stopping by for another desert adventure!
Stay safe and stay healthy.
another beautiful trip in the desert - love the critters and that last shot is outstanding!
ReplyDeleteAlways like your captures from being inside a cave, looking out!
ReplyDeleteThat is what I saw years ago in a dream I have never forgotten about. I was looking out and someone who looked Vincent van Gogh came by, carrying a knapsack (spelling?). He was very careful not to startle me. We had a short conversation, and he said goodbye with these words, "You are so very blessed." I thought he meant because I had come further in life than he wanted to, in painting about things about God. When I was looking how he continuing on, I could see the mountains of he Grand Canon were covered with faces and faces of people.
...it's amazing that things live in this barren beauty! Thanks for taking me along, I couldn't have done it on my own!
ReplyDeleteThe animals are a bonus in that setting.
ReplyDeleteThe topography there is so otherworldly--like a different planet! It seems like every inch has anew discovery. I liked viewing those cave formations and the different wildlife and fauna and flora. You are fortunate to have this all so close to home!
ReplyDeleteLove it. This one seemed tough in spots. You always catch some of the BEST shots. I do like the critters. Never heard of the antelope squirre. Nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the trip. Oh and the interier shot was great what aunique shot.
Sherry & jack, cool in Florida.
Another amazing adventure. I have no idea why there isn't a bunch of snakes in those alcoves waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteI've always been interested how its hard to hide things like buildings and roads in the desert. They sure stand out.
Love the critters in this post!!! You are blessed to have this right outside your door!
ReplyDeleteDearest SP&P,
ReplyDeleteStunning photos and that red barrel cactus was a sweet bonus.
Also the cute bunny that crossed your path.
Those stones have nice colors too, aside from their forms.
Glad you found these photos.
Hugs,
Mariette
The way you bring up shadows in image is marvellous. The last one is gem sir!
ReplyDeletewonderful place, Stunning pics.
ReplyDeleteAs you might surmise from my current series, the wet side of the Cascades is lovely to live in, and not without its photo ops, but the dry side/high desert areas offer the greatest opportunities for great pictures. In your case, I would credit the photographer as much, or more, than the landscape. Great pictures, as always.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAnother great hike, beautiful views. I love the bunny and quail. The rock formations are cool. Neat photo looking out the cave door. The last shot of the sky is beautiful. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
You are extremely fortunate to have that close by! Such beautiful country! Wonderful photos as always!
ReplyDeleteYour almost personal desert is just gorgeous. I love the caves that you find. The quail looks different from the ones we have here. Ours don't have the reddish plume and markings.I guess that color makes it melt in better in its environment.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found these photos and shared them. I love the quail and your last photo is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend whose husband was stationed at 29 Palms for a while, but I've never been out west and these landscapes look quite exotic to me. Thank you for this virtual walk. It's be fun to live so close to such a place.
ReplyDeleteI've done the same thing, thought I'd posted a place or an event but I haven't. Do those rocks ever roll down the mountain?
ReplyDeleteThey have and they do. I think of rocks and boulders as existing within geologic time... much, much slower than human time, so we rarely see their activity and we don't understand each other very well!
DeleteAmazing landscapes.
ReplyDeleteBuried in the hard drive is better than deleted (I'm gonna have ulcers if it happened to my amateur photos). Thank goodness for google nowadays. The shelter is complete with a stool. Reminds me of that Jonah guy taking shelter under a gourd. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteMagnÃfico reportaje, que no adentra en la Naturaleza. Las imágenes son preciosas.
ReplyDeleteFeliz fin de Semana
Amazing scenery so near to where you live. That looks like a huge crater in the second to last shot
ReplyDeleteNice to have that beautiful landscape close to your door. Great pics, wonderful hike, thanks for taking us along. Until next time, take care and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI hope it wasn't too hot out that day. Better late than never. Just think, if you feel like posting but haven't been out in a while, just go looking through your files for missed hikes to post.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I've neglected photos I intended to use many times. Many, many times. Enjoyed your walk. Amazing scenery, as always, and the light so crisp and bright. The critters were a bonus. California dreamin' tonight.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always so incredibly beautiful. They'd make a great book.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful critters. Nice to see them.
ReplyDeleteThe Yin and Yang rocks look almost like a crib!
You live in a wonderful place there! You make me "homesick" every time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that! All the caves/shelters, Yin & Yang and certainly the squirrel!
Oh, if I had the technology on our travels back then I´d find many a treasure, too. Sadly it´s but in my head. So ... thank you for memories, if from a different place.
Such beautiful images. I'm glad you found them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! That last shot is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos. I love the cave and the view from it as well as the views to 29 Palms. I used to have a friend living there but she has moved and I never got a chance to visit the place. I did notice the red barrel cactus and didn't know what it was so thanks for telling us.
ReplyDeleteYour desert photos are always so fascinating !
ReplyDeleteThe desert cotton tail is cute !
I enjoy do much your desert hikings. really fell in love with your deserts.
ReplyDeleteSo different from our landscape and I never get tired of those rock formations you photograph so beautifully. We had planned to be out your way a month ago for Paul’s brother’s 80th birthday but thanks to Covid, no trip. Hopefully the end of this will come and we can all travel and see new things once again.
ReplyDeletemazing to be so close and just walk out. And I think lucky you but then again I have snow capped mountains and we live on and almost in a 15,000 acre tree farm. Trails for horses, hikers and bikes---nothing motorized. We follow their rules and we can stay. Trails are maintained by a local horse group and there are the logging roads also. I used to post a lot about it but haven't for quite awhile. Maybe you motivated me. haha
ReplyDeleteMB
What a fantastic hiking trip in a amazing area.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photo's again and that so close to home.
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing hike and great shots. It's great that you found and published them. I live in another part of the world, I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks! Impressive!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful rugged landscape. I did notice the red object and thought it might be a cast-off MAGA hat (only kidding). Actually thought it was something unnatural until you set me straight.
ReplyDeleteThe yin/yang photo looks like 2 people talking to me. Wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I take more pictures than I can possibly post.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have a troll today.
A very nice photo, greetings
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!