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Gambel’s Quail
This was my first time seeing Gambel’s Quail. They’re very shy birds, but in the springtime, the biological imperative drives the males up onto high perches where they sing their little hearts out to establish a breeding territory.
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Desert Owl
I didn’t know there were Burrowing Owls in the Mojave. I was hiking through a yucca and cholla patch when a light-colored owl took flight ahead ahead of me. My best guess was a Barn Owl, but it was the middle of the morning. As soon as it alighted, I could tell from that sassy
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Mojave Scene
In the heart of the Mojave National Preserve, a Cactus Wren perches on a prickly pear cactus. This spot has been my white whale photographically. The butte in the background is in a lush valley filled with yucca, cholla, and prickpear cactus. Unfortunately I have not been able to convince a single bird to pop
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Shy Cactus Wren
I’m headed back to the Mojave next week. Maybe this time the Cactus Wrens will pose on top of the cholla for me.
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Rock Wren on a Rock
The Mojave Desert: it was love at first sight when I visited Joshua Tree National Park just over a year ago. I’ve been planning a return ever since, and in November I finally headed back, camping in Mojave National Preserve for a few days. The trip ended up being more exciting than I’d planned. Nothing
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Camping at Mojave National Preserve
I camped at Mojave National Preserve for the first time the week before Thanksgiving. This post is a companion to my Exploring Mojave National Preserve post, which focused on the photographic aspects. I did this trip at the end of November, the weekend before Thanksgiving To maximize my time in the backcountry, I left San
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Exploring Mojave National Preserve
Lately, I’ve been connecting my photography more with adventures. Ever since I visited Joshua Tree National Park at the end of last year, I’ve wanted to return to the Mojave to try to capture Cactus Wrens in desert vistas. When I saw a photo by Adam Elliott of Mojave National Preserve, I knew I had
