I've hiked to Surprise Tank a number of times over the years, but I've never been here at night. Being out here for the night sky and the Milky Way was something I really wanted to experience, but first, let's do a little exploring. I'll show you night skies next time I post. With the recent rain, I was looking forward to getting out to the desert (and hoping to find water at Surprise Tank). As I entered Joshua Tree National Park, the Chinch weed was everywhere! It was like a yellow carpet that went on forever. It contrasted beautifully with the blue sky!
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| The rock formations around Surprise Tank are fascinating! |
Perhaps the skull of a pack rat or kangaroo rat. How it came to be impaled on the spines of this Joshua tree is a mystery.Above, 9.20.25. Below, 12.28.21, with a lot more water.
Ravens are very curious birds. This one sat on this rock, cawing at me for about 30 minutes while I explored Surprise Tank. I got the impression I was invading his territory!  |
| Even a little water in the desert is magical! |
I've talked to people who have said they looked all over these rocks for Surprise Tank and could never find it. Even when it's right in front of you, it blends in quite well! This is another of those wonderful "unofficial" locations in JTNP. No trail goes to it, Park Rangers don't talk about it (I'm sure many don't know it exits), and it's not on any maps. My favorite kind of place!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Great photos Peter
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. Love the raven, great shot of him. Corvids are my all time favourite birds :-D
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible adventure! Love the exploration and the fact that it is a 'secret' place.
ReplyDeleteWow! It is magical to see water there ~ you captured it so well and your other photos are magnificent ~ Hope it stays 'unknown' ~ lol ~ thanks,
ReplyDeletean artist reflects ~
I know the impaled skull will stick with me. Another wonderful ramble. Thank you so much for showing
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteAmazing to find it and for there to be water. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are always so stunning.
ReplyDelete...WOW, water in the desert, does that make it an oasis? Joshua hold many mysteries! Thanks fer sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love ravens. :)
ReplyDeleteLucky water. I hope that means that your night photos worked out well.
ReplyDeleteA great documentary series of photos! I love how you go from what looks like a verdant oasis in the beginning with the chinch weed to the hardscape that envelops the turquoise Surprise Tank. The Joshua tree makes a powerful silhouette against the sunset!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing scenery!
ReplyDeleteWonderful place, Rocking formations amazing, Stunning pictures.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and lovelier header!
ReplyDeleteThose small mammal skulls can end up paper thin, wonder if it blew onto the Joshua tree and was caught up in the spines. Suprise tank must be a nice surprise for anything in need of water. Water quality looks a little sketchy though.
ReplyDeleteTHe little skull is a mystery--- perhaps a bird caught it and ... no, that doesn't make sense. Yes a mystery. Fabulous pictures, Peter!
ReplyDeleteI think it’s a good idea to separate the day and night photos. I like them both, but the night ones tend to overshadow the others, Hmm …. night … shadow.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful hike with great shots again. Great to see water in the desert.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a landscape from a foreign planet. The origins of those weird rock formations are a mystery to me. Where does all the water come from? I assume rain water but how often does it rain in the desert? And is it clean water.... drinkable for a dying man was stumbling through the burning desert??????
ReplyDeleteYes, rainwater. Rain is rare. Maybe a few times a year. The water is not clean, but if I were dying of thirst, I would drink it. I imagine you could filter it (if you happen to be carrying a water filter) and then drink it safely.
DeleteI agree. The rock formations are amazing!
ReplyDeleteDas sind hinreißende und beeindruckende Fotos !
ReplyDeleteMy post
The desert is one of the most exciting regions on earth. It's amazing how many details and impressions you were able to bring back with you.
ReplyDeleteI can't help thinking of Walt Disney and the film ‘The Living Desert’ from his studio.
A hidden body of water in the desert is certainly a surprise! I'm sure many that stumble upon Surprise Tank think it is a mirage. You always find the most interesting small details--the skull on the Joshua tree being one of them!
ReplyDeleteBonitos paisajes con un bello lago, para combatir la sequedad del desierto.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Interesting rock formations. Looking forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how with water there, nature always takes care of the wildlife so they can survive.
ReplyDeleteLove the name "Surprise Tank" for a hidden body of water in the desert! ☺ Your photos are fabulous, as always, and I especially liked the backlit tree. Never heard of a kangaroo rat before. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely to find an off the beaten path area to explore like that. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCould have been photos from another planet. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou have the best "unofficial" spots to visit. A beautiful place and I like the skull perched on the tree.
ReplyDeleteoh my. your photos (again) are so wonderful.
ReplyDeletei can't believe you got a shot of an impaled rat's head. and the Chinch weed looks so lovely. like a cushion to lie down on. Keep up the photos. love it.
What a sweet visit. When you said: The rock formations around Surprise Tank are fascinating!... I had just thought that on the second shot and of course agreed on 3 and the rest. Loed the water pool shots. Good stuff, I am an old and tired old man, but love to relax with the shots and if I were younger I would consider this a favorite place also, me thinks. Sending the best your ay from Florida...
ReplyDeleteHow rewarding to find 'Surprise Tank' with water in it!
ReplyDeleteLovely images and the silhouette is the standout.
That skull is a mystery for sure! I would love to put a trail camera on that tank and see what kind of critters are visiting it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! What fascinating rock formations!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as usual. The rock formations are pretty amazing. I wonder how that big, round rock got balanced on top of those other rocks in your second photo. It looks like some giant placed it there.
ReplyDeleteYour new header photo is just perfect!
Beautiful shots, I like how the rock in the second photo looks like it was placed there and the rock formation in the sixth looks like a wave turning over after hitting a wall
ReplyDeleteIncredible - Ya Just Never Know What You Might Find In The Desert - Hopefully The Family Is Well These Days - Be Well Brother Parts
ReplyDeleteHike On ,
Cheers
AkA The Padre
Gorgeous! We don't often get to see water in your desert photos.
ReplyDeleteWater in the desert is really magical. I love this place and I am glad you don't reveal where it is.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's keep this great surprise a secret! All those reflections for a desert Skywatch - a surprise, indeed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Must have been such fun to explore and photograph. That skull on the needle really tells a story.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise that water.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Such gorgeous surroundings in "your" desert! How water can transform things into something magical. You're really blessed with these opportunities and your special love for nature's beauty.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go to Joshua Tree often when we lived in Los Angeles. It is really quite amazing there. Never saw water in that scale though.
ReplyDelete-Soma
How cool. One day I would like to visit Joshua Tree..hopefully before I get to old to hike about. I can't believe there is water there!
ReplyDeleteIncredible place! Thank you for sharing these photos
ReplyDelete