Flora, Fauna And Landscapes Of The Mojave Desert

[seedling]

James B. ---

I was at Joshua Tree camping and climbing in the mid-Eighties when I lived in San Diego. These pictures really brought back some great memories. What a special place, I'm so glad I was able to see it then.

Think I saw in your picture the camp site we had at the campground :)

Thanks!

 

[cherryblossom]

Great photo's James - Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[James B.]

My Little Photo Essay On Mission Creek

Thanks again folks. This next post is actually lower (Sonoran) desert. Let it serve as a ‘book-end” because soon (I hope) will be venturing up to the very heights of the Mojave for a look around/camp-out. Hope to get some worthy pics.

I would like to be candid with my fellow PTSD/CPTSD sufferers, you are people that I rely on. You are a big help to me. I bet we have all - regardless the origin of our trauma - seen some pretty ugly and disturbing things.

It makes me happy to share these images, and if it puts a smile on the face of another sufferer, then I am so gratified. I really mean it. Will try to keep the assortment varied. For instance, before all the spectacular ant-hills around here vanish for the summer, want to get some pics of those worth posting , and some incredible squirrel burrow matrix, etc.

Admit I went on-line and nearly threw-down for the new camera. Pretty funny but, just couldn’t do it. These phone-cam pics are kinda ratty and so-so; am having some fun trying to make them better with editing, but still keeping the image “quality” realistic. It will (hopefully) get better.

Like I said, this place is lower-desert (not really Mojave). It is an odd place where there is now a lot of youth camp stuff going on in the winter. My hunch is this place used to be a little resort (in the 40‘s?) but fell into obscurity and is now part of the Wildlands Wilderness Conservancy.

This is my photo essay (part 1 shot yesterday) on little known place called Mission Creek.

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Looking downstream, late August snow-melt is 6“ to 8“ deep.

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Looking upstream (to the west). This water runs down from the San Bernadino mountains.

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Looking across the broad stream bed, not sure but I think they call this an “arroyo”.

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The main complex of structures; four little houses, the fountain, the pool and the fire place.

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The fun with this image was trying to get the detail in the bouganvilla(?) -foreground- and improve clarity/detail in the background too. (This was done mainly with the Curves command).

 

[intothelight]

Wow James, the desert is really beautiful. I won't load pics of our local flora and fauna, as corn and soy beans are pretty boring. Wait, maybe this would be a cure for insomnia :rolleyes:.

Really, thank you for sharing.

ITL

 

[James B.]

Set Number 2 - Mission Creek

Thanks Intothelight. I loved the pic of your puppy, so cool!

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Something about those palm trees...

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Detail of the pool, sure looks like it was made for people to swim in.

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The steps prove it: designed for human habitation.

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Nice structures, the insides and maybe some of the grout has been re-done. Nice stone work, didn’t look that old, maybe it is? IDK.

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I think these get used for day activities with the youth camp.

That concludes my photo essay. This series was compressed below 100KB, so I hope it loads better for those with limited bandwidth. There’s way more to the place further down the road, but I cannot hike out there yet. Maybe this winter.

Thanks.

 

[Iam]

Awesome James!

 

[James B.]

Thank you Iam - I haven't been around too much lately, sure hope you are doing well and thanks so much for the kind remark!

 

[Iam]

Yeah....things have been pretty tough on and off lately. Found it's better to stay away when I am like that. Working on having a more positive attitude. Something that used to be second nature to me and hoping I can get it back ;o)

 

[James B.]

I am glad Iam, and can totally relate. My attitude problems have been legendary. It is something to finally be experiencing a bit more constructive consistency. Well, we're just human and so, onward...right? Hey, I hope to get out to a really neat place next couple days. I don't know how any pics will turn out, but the subject matter should be fairly unique. I think.

The outdoors has been big for me, Iam. Kind of my Saviour, my "main relationship". So its special to be here and share this. I was thinking about my blog thing today and decided it's a good place for me to delve into my kitchen fears and shortcomings, which are many! Anyway, the temps outside just shifted, so it will be interesting what the upper Mojave is like maybe Monday. I have driven through, but never spent the night or really looked around. Tomorrow I prep, and even have fire wood! It should be fun, thanks again for the nice comment.

James B.

 

[Jline]

Wonderful James! Thanks again for sharing these pics.

Jacqueline.

 

[Iam]

I totally understand James. The outdoors is where I find peace too. Whether it be sitting on my deck, riding my horses, fishing a stream, hiking or getting my hands in the ground working my organic vegetable garden. My husband and I live on property in the coastal range of Northern Oregon surrounding by trees and wildlife. I know how blessed I am. I love your desert photos. Much different than the very green and lush landscape here and just as beautiful.

 

[James B.]

You are very welcome Jacqueline, thanks for helping to make me feel at home here!

Iam, riding, fishing a stream and working an organic garden sounds fantastic - have been told horseback riding is second to none, one of the finest things there is. You are very lucky! Oregon is such an interesting state and northern Oregon sounds great.