Mojave Light Musing

Happy Spring Equinox! Desert Canterbury Bells....one of my favorites out here. This wash was FULL of them - great, big tufts of these lovely violet-blue blossoms on tall stalks with thick, stocky leaves at the base. I find it particularly intriguing how they tend to want sandy washes to make their spectacular debut.  Who would guess there is enough nutrients in those porous granules of rock into sand to sustain such vibrant beauty?  It felt good to lie on my belly on a warm patch of sand as I took this photo. Within the hour, the skies turned dark and it began to snow. Hope your first day of spring was warm and promising of new things to come... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl / JTNP: Cottonwood Springs wash

Here is another shot from this past weekend in my beloved park....more for the benefit of my distant readers (and maybe those of you close by who haven't taken the opportunity to explore this beautiful area...). Considered the cornerstone of Joshua Tree National Park, this particular photo is of the Oasis of Mara which is a short and pleasant nature walk down a paved path from the national park headquarters / visitor center. When my daughter worked as an interpretative ranger there before sailing off into the Navy, she had the most interesting stories of what was witnessed just outside the large picture windows from inside the visitor center. One story that stuck in my mind, both kind of funny and sort of 'gross' if you aren't used to the ways of nature, centered around some European tourists experiencing desert life in all its glory one hot summer day. Both visitors and rangers were watching in awe and amusement the antics of a roadrunner in the garden area just off ...

Goodness, what a wild weekend I had - weather wise, of course (wink, wink).  Storms swirled all around us for two days -  wind gusts, rain, spots of sun, some sleet, then snow! All within the matter of a couple of hours. Many of us are hoping to wake up to frozen roads and snow in the morning. One can hope but I'm not holding my breath. All I can hear now is wind knocking more things around outside. At least the desert got a good drink of water.... I spent both my weekend days out in the park in an ecology class. I've always thought a desert was an amazing habitat. A master at adaptation. Resilient. Frugal. Surprises of vibrant colors and softness amongst the rigid roughness of grand rock formations. And yet, still fragile - especially at the hands of humans. I'm too tired at the moment to expound much more but I will leave you with a few photos of my weekend. I am anxious to share tidbits of what I learned which I will do throughout this week when I have more time. A...

Today's post: more rocks.  Climbing is a passion as well as an art out here. I'm in awe of those who scale the heights like little spider people. Years ago, I took a mountaineering class with the Sierra Club. One component was to use only a rope (no harness, chalk, or clips) and practice basic rappelling/belaying skills in the event you must use a rope to get down off of a cliff, etc.  We all climbed up a series of boulders to prepare rappelling down a steep face. I was in the last group to come down. Going up was fun and easy - even with my short legs.  Our ages varied greatly. Back then, I was the youngster in the group... I watched as each person rappelled down thinking, "If she/he can do this, so can I....." Well, my partner didn't have me belayed properly so I had to pull myself up and over the curved rock face to refigure the roping and start again - three times. On the third try, I was so tired and so scared I just wanted DOWN. And down I went. Zip! Folks...

Great day today. One where everything felt smooth and purposeful and connected and effortless. My jeans fit right. My hair wasn't flat. And I didn't burn the popcorn. I don't question these days. I simply enjoy them. Here is an effortless shot. Yet another bit of my world......  2012 © Diana Shay Diehl

A few shots of my day. I explored a new-to-me area in the park - Ruby Lee Mill and Porcupine Wash (which is along an inactive fault line called Porcupine Fault). This part of the park is different than the main, more popular area at the higher elevation. This is where the Colorado Desert mingles with the Mojave. The vistas are sweeping. The rock formations from plate lifting activity and years of flood waters are pretty amazing. Lots of mining history in the area as well. We saw our first early spring blossoms today as well....thick stemmed, healthy Canterbury Bells (Desert bluebells) are just beginning to show their rich "plumage" - ready to invite the pollenators in to keep the species going. Slogging up and down deep sandy washes wreak havoc on the calves. Mine are screaming right now. Another great day in my wilderness.... The crew assembles by pictographs... Looking east towards the Eagle Mountains from the remains of the stone cabin.... Self explanatory. I th...

Today was one of those rare no-particular-plans-for-the-day kind of day. Time for sleeping in - which means getting to stay in bed past 6am. Time for doing the necessary homey-dos. Time for a leisurely, late breakfast with my son - not the usual hurried bowl of cereal before we dash out the door to our respective schools. Time for researching new art ideas and find a few new app toys to play with. One plan for the day included a hike up a desert creek in the lower desert with a friend and our dogs. But, a phone call announcing the park had just reopened after a day of closure due to the snow spun me in a new direction. Finally! Snowshoeing in my beloved np! So I thought.... A quick turn of events found me packing up my snowshoe gear and meeting up with a couple of local hiking pals with hopes of trekking up some snowy trails for the afternoon. I keep forgetting how quickly the snows come and fall, they can just as soon disappear in the desert. So, while no snowshoeing occurred, n...

My favorite shades of rust and red. Made richer over time by the desert sun, occasional rain, and mineral deposits. And, no. Those handles are not new at all. They are as old as the car. And, no. No one has been around to polish them either. What was once broken down junk remnants to someone has become treasured relics for the rest of us - reflections of our past. ©Diana Shay Diehl / JTNP Desert Queen Ranch Looks cool printed on metallic paper. This shot graces the walls of a couple of collectors...

Washes. My favorite places to wander in. Interesting artifacts can be found there, especially after a rain. Old tortoise shells. Pottery shards. Remnants of animal bones. And, if you are lucky, hints of gold.  Then, you have the treat of rock sculptures from eons of extreme weather chiseling away the patina of the boulders. Or find metate-like dimples from years of grinding acorns on flatter parts of the granite surfaces. I try to imagine the activity at those locations - which are scattered around the park - almost always near a source of scrub oaks by a wash that could have supplied more constant water way back then. What kinds of things would the women be discussing as they ground away to make flour for their meals? The quiet is calming. Smaller animals skitter from creosote to juniper to cats claw. The tracks they leave are interesting patterns to peruse along the trail. The air is heavy with the scent of sage and creosote and juniper...even more so after a rain. When it has be...

I've been in kind of a black and white mood of late.  Without all the distractions of color, one can see shapes and form a little more clearly.  At least to me, that is true... Another view of my magical landscape.

Not just another rock pile. The winds, water, and temp extremes create some amazing sculptures in 'my neck of the woods' - well, okay, desert. This stand of granite boulders edges a wide, ambling wash. It's Friday and I am looking forward to ambling among the boulders myself. There is something very grounding about doing so.... (©Diana Shay Diehl  JTNP)

Keeping it simple today. I love how the desert surprises you with something unexpected.... (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl JTNP)

Water? In the desert? Of course!  We desert dwellers get totally psyched whenever clouds form. And, when it finally rains - in torrents, drizzles, or softly falling for a few minutes or hours at a time - we are out in it. Many of us, exploring for waterfalls, unexpected pools that may give birth to desert pupfish, rocks that weep, and creeks that may run for days - sometimes weeks if the rains are long and hard enough.  I love hiking in the washes after it settles down to see what changes have taken place. New boulder barricades. Cultural relics unearthed. Mysteries under the sand are revealed. The next cool thing that happens is how things spring to life - immediately.  In fact, when the air is heavy with moisture, threatening to open the heavens and flood the washes with a deluge, you can almost see the cacti and succulents stand a bit taller - swelling upwards in anticipation of a much needed drink. It could have been months and months and months since their last sip...

A simple photograph today.....my kitchen island counter, mug of hot green tea, and my favorite local hiking guide book backed up with a little online research. Now that I'm on the better side of this icky cold, time to make plans to get out on the trails. I haven't really kept count of how many miles or trails I've covered in my 28 years of living out here. If I were a numbers person, that might be an interesting undertaking this chilly January evening. But, I'm not. Instead, I'll pick a few must do's for the remainder of this winter/spring season before the heat sets in and desert hiking is no longer enjoyable (or safe).  I'll let you know what I come up with. Until then, enjoy your Friday evening. It's been 'a week'. This chica's over and out - for now... (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl. "On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park" by Patty A. Furbush can be purchased from any visitor center of JTNP.)

Not much to say today as my brain is tired from 2 full days of participating in a strategic planning workshop with key JTNP staff and our Association board. Very inspiring and productive weekend albeit a long one when one works Monday through Friday as well. Once we finalize our product and are ready to share with the public, you bet you'll be included.... Why? Because YOU are an integral part of the big picture <insert smiley face>... Here is a tidbit from an afternoon of shooting at Key's Ranch, aka 'Desert Queen Ranch'.  If you ever get a chance, book a tour there. Totally worth it....   (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl. JTNP / Desert Queen Ranch)

Just a photo today - another one (red spined barrel - again....) that demonstrates the power of living things to find sustainable circumstances for thriving.... I love these red spined barrel cactus....especially in contrast with growing out of such a massive boulder, don't you? They are such a bright surprise among the typical muted colors of the desert. (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl)

Sometimes, after a 3 day weekend,  it is difficult to get back into the work groove. Today was like that for me. My head was still in this place, one of my favorite hikes in Joshua Tree National Park - the North View / Maze Loop trail - which I did with fellow wanderers like myself yesterday. These panoramic shots certainly don't do the area justice. Hopefully, they give you a feel for the expansiveness of the area.... Talk about space to clear your head and breathe a little deeper and slower. It can be quite humbling.  Everyone needs a breathing space. This is one of mine. Where are yours? Enjoy the view. This chica's tired. Over and out.......for now.   (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl. Joshua Tree National Park) (Copyright Diana Shay Diehl. Joshua Tree National Park)

Today's post is simple photo from today's 9+ mile hike through the boulders and canyon washes of Joshua Tree National Park.  There were tons of these red barrel cacti scattered about the granite and quartz faces of the rocks. Not in sand. Not in rich soil. Growing out of a rock. Solid rock. Is that survival or thriving.....? Such intricate beauty rises out of what our human eye sees as nothing. This little one could fit in the palm of my hand with room to spare. My walks in the wilder lands of this desert I call home show me many examples of living things inching out an existence among seemingly lifeless terrain. Oh, not so.... This hardy landscape is teeming with thriving flora and fauna, skilled at adapting to our ever changing drought conditions. You can learn a lot about the health of our environment and how the natural world cooperates so that 'everyone' gets what 'they' need. All you need to do is get down on your hands and knees, quiet your busy mind, and...

(Coyote pup shot in the JT Highlands summer of 2009. Copyright Diana Shay Diehl) Okay, so this is not a freshly taken-just-today shot. Today was one of those days where the camera and I just couldn't cross paths. Hence, another 'oldie but goodie'.... There's a great story attached to this image few of you know of even if you are familiar with this photograph. This coyote pup photo earned 3rd place in the Southland Art Show in 29 Palms. It graces the walls of the Mojave Desert Land Trust and is used in their campaign to secure funding towards the preservation of wildlands in our high desert region.  It is also in a multitude of private collections all over the US and even in Canada. I like to print him in a  5 x 5 inch format or in 12 x 12/10 x 10/ or 8 x 8 formats which are framed in 16 x 20 or 11 x 14 museum grade frames. All sell out.  Every photographer likes to have that signature piece that helps pay off our habits of new gear purchases. But that isn't the be...

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”  –  Dorothea Lange My world, softly lit by the magical mojave sun. Welcome to it... I've been wanting to 'do a blog' for some time now. Why? Not sure really. Who would read it? What could I possibly say and show through my camera's lens that would be of interest? I'm not sure that is the point actually. Perhaps this is a catharsis for my own soul ~ a place to muse; to appreciate; to wonder out loud; to perfect how I see and find new ways to appreciate what I trip over every day. Or perhaps I just need a place to meander and see where I end up...  Maybe I can shed some light into your world as well.... I love this photograph ~ a labor of love if you knew the person who created the bottle art lined along the edge of the pit. The November storm was just gathering for a late afternoon shower. The light was perfect that day as clouds raked across the flatlands just east of 29 Palms. Thi...