One thing about Joshua Tree is there is miles and miles of desert and this scene is in every direction. Not one sign of civilization in any direction

 

Sky was blue but I should have had the filter on. Live and learn

 

There is a lot of color in the winter desert.

 

This trail was out of the joshua tree elevation but there were these beautiful ocotilla's. I'm coming back in Spring to see them in flower

 

Not sure who this young man is but he was way up there.

 

 

 
I love these gray old narly branches of the creasote bush. Do you know they are one of the oldest plants in the world.

 

Decided to drive down to Cottonwood today, it's at the south end of Joshua Tree and there is a short hike to a oasis which I have never taken. Unfortunately, a wreck (see below) and a rock interupted my plans, so I will go tomorrow morning.
This is Belle Rock at the entrance to a campground with the same name. It was a glorious day today, over 70 with just a sweet little cooling breeze. I think I am going to become a snowbird and spend my winters down here.

 

After sitting in the car waiting for the road to clear, decided I wouldn't make it to Cottonwood today, turned around and took some awesome picture of JT. Tomarrow I will leave earlier

 

On my way to Cottonwood, came upon this scene. A young motorcyclist took a corner to quickly and the bike fell on his leg and broke it, really broke it. I wonder how much this ride is going to cost him.

 

This is someone's homemade RV. Pretty Cool huj

 

I'm thinking flicker here

 

This was the first guy I saw when I went to the Cibola. I thought I was being so smart and used my GPS for directions. OMG what a mistake that was, I passed a sign that pointed to the Cibola but GPS knows best so I kept going. Told me to turn on this dirt road, GPS knows best. Drove about 8 miles into the middle of nowhere and there's this big sign, Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, but it wasn't where I was suppose to be. There was nothing there except dirt.

Now I have a map sitting right next to me. Do I look at it, no, I reset the GPS for the town of Cibola and followed it right back to Blythe and I10. I didn't want I-10. I looked at my map and with it, drove right to the Wildlife headquarters. ( I told the Ranger what had happened and he said another couple had the same thing happen to them. )

Rule one, don't use your GPS to get to the Cibola.

When I am finally on the right road and about to cross the Colorado River, I come to a sign. Dangerous Bridge - cross at your own risk. Okay, I've driven around, lost for an hour and now I have this bridge, Its a one laner and I'm seriously thinking about turning around when a motorhome comes and crosses. Ok, it made it, I'll make it. And I did.

I've got to go back as it was wonderful. There are about 8 places to stop and birdwatch but I took the Goose Auto tour first. Its right behind the headquarters and about a 3rd of the way around, there is a Nature Tail you can take to a blind. It was nice, heard lots of birds but didn't seem much. Driving around was were the action was.

The Sand Cranes were so cool and off in the distance there were tons of Snow Geese, both winter residents. Bluebirds and quail and even roadrunners. Kestrals were there by the dozens and hawks.

Yeah, I've got to go back and check out the rest but I found another road, and another bridge without a warning sign. I think I'll go that way

 

I haven't a clue, my trip to the Cibola was laced with lots of "dont have a clue" birds

Later: Okay my friends came through and said this guy is an Egyptian Goose. Not even listed as a rare siteing at the Cibola. Cool huh

 

White-faced Ibis. They are huge

 

Yellow-heads were ignoring the Starling?

 

Heres another view. He was smaller than a jay

 

So, what about this cute guy? My guess, a bluebird LOL

 

Visited the Cibola Wildlife Refuge yesterday and really enjoyed the Sandhills. They were all over the place.

Visitors to my backyard

I heard them first, a strange ka ka kaw sound and finally my curiosit got the better of me and I went to investigate. There were about a half dozen California Quail right on my porch and while they are often shy and quick to bolt, the screen door protected us both and I was able to admire them close up.

Daughter and Donnie are coming for a visit today and I just found out the 29 Palm Weed Show is still going on. Both should enjoy that and then up to Joshua Tree for the grand tour and lastly down to Crossroads for lunch/dinner.

Things you notice while stuck in traffic

Yes,up here in the desert where you can see 30 miles in all directions, I was stuck in a traffic jam trying to get on base and while I sat, I noticed this utility poll that was hosting a couple dozen doves. Now my question is....why this particular pole? I passed pole after pole, empty of anything but dust, and then I come to this pole and its full of birds. The only discernable difference between the poles is this one makes a 90 degree turn, but thats all.

Well, I guess I have my favorite chair so why shouldn't birds have their favorite pole.

Heading for Morongo today. Going to take my bird book and maybe the camera.

I'm Baaaack

I've returned to JT and just couldn't be more excited. I arrived last week and FOUND the best birding spot in the valley, Gary and Mary Frans backyard. Gary and I were admiring the bird feeder and I happened to notice, even with my bad eyes, what looked like a Cedar Waxwing. A pair of them. Gary got his binoculors and confirmed it. He has seen them before but they are traveling thru and feeding on his berry bush. (I can't spell pyracantha bush)
His yard is home for a hawk, (I think the Coy pond is the attaction)lots of quail and those little guys with the dark heads. But you would be absolutely jealous to see his bird list just from this year. AMAZING.

My new apartment is kinna cute and better than living in a hotel room. It was probably converted into apartments at some time and I suspect built in the 40ies. Local rock fireplace, spanish tile floors, two nice size rooms. I have a porch and a view of JT Monument that is really calling my name, but the back yard is typical creosote bush and scrub, but there is a stand of bamboo in one corner that gives a neat sound when the wind blows. Problem, there is a fica tree. I can kill a fica without even trying and it looks like an expensive one. Directions - water once a week and turn. Hummm, I'll keep you informed but I may be buying a fica before I leave.
So today, I'm going to hit the local second hand stores. I really don't need much, The Company said I could purchase a microwave and coffee pot and my friend Mary Fran has offered me anything I might need to borrow, but I think I'm good. The apartment could use a better can opener, thats one thing you have to spend money on, cheap can openers are a waste of time, and I might want to get a muffin tin, but those are easy. The pots and pans here are huge, I could looke for smaller ones.

JT has a framers market still going so I'm going down there to check out the local produce.

Work is work. I live for the weekends.Camera is all charged and ready to go, I even have fiters for the sun.

Weather sunny and cool, I think I'm going to like winter here.

Slow summer

We just went on three trips this summer, and all were with other RVers so not a lot to report. In a couple weeks we are going to Crow Butte Campground near Pateson WA and looking forward to that trip as we love this campground.

Then I'm off to spend the winter in Joshua Tree again. I love it there especially when I'm getting paid to be there.

Sort of worked

This is another photo that I rather like. A lone Yucca.

Photo that didn't work

I am trying to show this ridiculous sign that I found while hiking the Joshua Tree. It actually says No Swimming, but the sign is to small to really show up, I tried to show it closer but that didn't work either

Follow my photo class

The instructor asked that we bring in 2 photos that we like and two that we don't like. As I looked through all the photos I found most of my pictures needed help. This one I call my "happy accident" as I didn't even know what "depth of field" was, yet this is a good example of "shallow"

Taking a Photography class

We signed up at the local college and what a great class. DH and I have these real expensive Nikons and can't get off the "green" auto button. LOL Your in for a treat, we now actually know what an f-stop is and does, not to mention WB and ISO. Can't wait for the rain to quit so we can go out and try our new skills.

Thai Food

Son and Grandson have taken me to every Thai Restaurant in Tacoma and (drum roll please) the best is the one by the mall. OMG you have to try the Green Curry with avocado. Mouth squirting.

Last Sunday in Southern California

While I really need to get the RV packed up for the trip home, one last tour of 29 Palms was on my "must-do" list. This was Weed Show weekend at the Museum, a tradition since 1941, and I really wanted to see what could be done with the weeds in this area. I wasn't disappointed at all, there were so many creative and amazing designs by local folks. They are very artistic. I didn't have my camera, but they said they would be putting some of them on line.
After the Weed Show I drove over to the Oasis for a little exercise and one last walk around. My quail family was still there, they stay pretty close to the water. I really enjoyed the symphony of bird calls in the area, some melodious, some not. If I could have seen all the birds that I heard, I would be there still.
Did add to my bird list, I saw a number of phainopepla's. Did I know what they were? No, but I found a couple with binoculars - always a good person to ask. Then once they told me, I had to look up how to spell it. The same couple also pointed out a flycatcher.
I'm am going to miss this weather. It's been in the low 80ies lately and rainy in Washington where I'm headed.
Trip home is going to be via eastern Nevada and into Idaho. Leaving on the 13th. Friday the 13th.

My short bird list- JT/29 and surrounds

My bird list is pretty sparse, to say the least, but as my time here is winding down, thought that I would share what I have so far.
WHITE PELICAN - no, not really here, but Betty and I drove down to the Salton Sea where they were plentiful and beautiful.
TURKEY VULTURE - I was really lucky to see them as they only come around to this area twice a year, once around Easter and again in October. After work, I was heading to a meeting in Yucca when I saw what looked like a funnel of circling birds over the desert. I looked and found a dirt road that would take me in their direction and I got close enough to see they were the famous visitors. I didn't dare get any closer as the road was becoming a rut and I didn't want to get stuck.
RED TAILED HAWK - I mentioned him/her earlier. I saw her just sitting on something along side the road and there was no place to pull over.
FALCON -This was a rare treat for me and my first. I saw him twice. A water line had broken hear the housing area and he/she was taking advantage of it, but having issues with a family of crows who had already claimed it as theirs. Saw him/her again in the same area about a week later, this time sitting on a phone line. (Yes, kestrels are more common around here but this bird was black/white/gray and kestrels, at least the local ones have some red. I absolutely could be wrong and probably am.
GAMBLES QUAIL (Why not Californian? Cause the Gamble is common to this area but again, my eye isn't trained to know the nuances of their different coloring) Gary and Mary Frans back yard was full of them yesterday and as there was a window between them and me, I was able to watch them play and squabble with other birds. (Gary was telling me that he saw a Chuckar in his yard. That would have been a sight to see. )
MORNING DOVES are plentiful as is the ROADRUNNER. Brandy has a owl nesting in her back yard, thats so cool.
When I lived here before there were tons of Hummingbirds and I've seen some but not up close and personnel. I bought a feeder but all it attracted was ants.
FLYCATCHER/PEWEE. Lots of them around but again my eye just isn't trained to know the difference.
JAY - I've told that story earlier and I still feel its a SCRUB
CROWS, RAVENS, STARLINGS are all very common, especially at the Oasis.

So thats my short list. Nothing spectacular and even if I saw something great, I wouldn't know it. One of my favorite BLOGS is a RVer who also BIRDS, but he hasn't posted in awhile. I need to check on him.
I'll be leaving in about a month and next weekend heading for Santa Barbara to meet a cousin I have never met. I'm excited about everything except the drive.

Milky Way

Joshua Tree Institute held a class on the milky way and I went and took it. I was told to bring a coat/gloves and a hat because it get's chilly at night. I was a little skeptical as the day time temps were constantly in the triple digets, but I followed directions and brought a coat and a cap, not a hat. I didn't need either. BUT what a great class. Part one was in the classroom where we're shown pictures from the Hubble( http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/ ) and they were so awesome. (Hope the link works, but if it doesn't google it and check them out. Space is NOT just black and white)
After the class, we caravanned up to the park, to Barton Dam, my most favorite hiking area, and set up some huge telescopes. I'm sorry, my eyes aren't very good, and the stars look like bigger stars, but I did see Casiopea, one I didn't know.
Joshua Tree at night is just as awesome as JT during the day. Not only are the stars spectacular, but howling cayotes just make it perfect.