Jeep and Joshua Trees

I had so much fun exploring off-pavement routes in the southwest!  I can't wait to go back and do it again.  Here are a few more shots taken along some back roads in Joshua Tree National Park. 

Sunrise in the Cholla Garden

Easily my favorite place in Joshua Tree National Park.  I love the Cholla Garden!  Mornings spent here are some of the most peaceful that I've ever experienced. 

Hidden Valley Sunset

Joshua Tree National Park - The last glint of sunlight shines through a Joshua tree before disappearing behind the mountains in the distance.  This park is so beautiful, and what a great way to end the day before beginning a fantastic night of stargazing!

The Battle for Anza Borrego

This is the final image that I'd like to share with you from my time in the Anza Borrego desert of southern California. My last night there was gloriously clear and the number of stars that were visible was mind blowing.  The clarity of the night sky in the desert is something that has to be seen in person to be believed.  I loved the backdrop the lights from the town of Borrego Springs made for this image.  Now on to the next phase of the trip: Joshua Tree!

Marching On

A glorious night sky resonates above this sculpture of a marching mammoth in the Anza Borrego desert of southern California. 

Hanging out with the Scorpion and the Grasshopper

The town of Borrego Springs sure has a lot of cool metal sculptures but two of my favorites have to be the Scorpion and the Grasshopper.  It just seems like such a uniquely "desert" thing, to have these sculptures scattered around.  It somehow seems normal, in a way that you wouldn't expect if you found them in any other environment.  Like you would totally expect to see stuff like this out in the middle of the desert but not in the middle of a forest.  At any rate, I think they're super cool and I love photographing them.  Especially at night.  

Sky Spirits

I have a few more night images to share from Borrego Springs.  This guy kinda creeped me out but he sure made for an interesting photograph with the night sky.