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.

The Old Truck at Night

 This old truck is a real mystery. It's a good 2 miles from the nearest highway, and how it got to this location before getting stuck in the sand is anyone's guess. It looks like a Ford F150, and I first posted about it here back in December of 2020. 

 

My goal for today's hike is simple: Hike to the old truck, arrive an hour or so before sunset. Use that hour to explore some of the local boulder formations, then wait for the stars to rise. I have never visited the old truck at night, and I'm thinking it might look cool under the stars!

Hello, old friend!

 

We are "upstream" in the wash where the old truck is located. That's a Smoke Tree on the left. If we follow this wash "downstream" for a ways, we will eventually come to the old truck. It's certainly possible that a massive thunderstorm pushed the truck down this wash for a long distance.

 

 

Interesting boulder formations not far from the old truck.

 

Possible shelter.

 

Inside, looking out.

 

 

I didn't try to crawl into this one for fear of being swallowed!

 

Desert Milkweed

 

 

Blurry Milkweed bug and seedpod (sorry, the wind was blowing!).

 

Looks like a bad case of tooth decay!

 

This boulder is split in half, then somehow pulled apart.

 

 

The Belt of Venus.

 

The sun has set on the old truck, but it's still hitting the peaks of the Coxcomb Mountains in the background.

 

Moonset over the old truck.

 

The thing that looks like a UFO coming in for a landing is actually the moon!

 

This was the photo of the truck at night I was hoping to get. The moon (just out of the frame) makes it harder to see the individual stars, but they are visible if you look closely. You can also see the shadow cast by the moon. I've placed two small LED lights in the cab of the truck to make things interesting.

 

Starting the 2-mile hike back to my car. Can you guess what that dome of light is on the horizon?? The view is N/NE. At about 10-15 miles is the Sheephole Valley Wilderness. Nothing but desert (no lights). Beyond that at about 60-70 miles is the Mojave National Preserve (again, just desert, no lights). Finally, at about 140 miles from where I'm standing, you hit Las Vegas and suburbs. LOTS OF LIGHTS!! I'm pretty sure that's what we are seeing here. Nothing else it could be. Light pollution has a huge impact and travels many miles.

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Out and About in the Hidden Valley Area

 It's been years since visiting what I call "stamp rock" in Joshua Tree National Park.

If my memory can be trusted (probably not!), I seem to recall the artist took some liberties with that large Joshua tree. Either he added it just to enhance the painting, or it was there at the time but has long since fallen over and disappeared. I thought I knew right where stamp rock was, but as it turned out, I didn't, and Mitch and I did a lot of hiking around the Hidden Valley area of Joshua Tree National Park before finally finding it. That's OK, there's lots to see!

 

Toothy grin! Can you guess what the white stuff is on the "teeth"? That's climbers chalk. They put it on their hands to help them grip the rock.

 

Delicate balance!

We came across some incredible pictographs, although not in this area. I'm sharing it here so as not to give away its true location.

 

 

 

 

Old dam built by the early ranchers. And thanks to recent rain, it was full of water. What a nice surprise!

 

 

Alien Rock!!

And finally we found it... stamp rock!! But if you look closely and compare it to the stamp, it's definitely the same rock formation, but it's inverted. Like looking at a mirror image. Very strange!

 

So I used Photoshop to flip the image horizontally, and I used AI to add a Joshua Tree. Now if you compare this to the stamp, there is no doubt this is the rock formation the artist used for inspiration. Pretty cool!

 

Later that evening, enjoying the stars.

 

Until next time!!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.