Monday, February 7, 2011

Desert Oasis

Winter seems to have taken a serious break up here on the mountain, so I decided to drive down to the desert on Saturday for some exploring and shooting, while moderate winter temperatures are still in effect.
Right in Palm Springs, but tucked up against the foot of San Jacinto, is a large network of beautiful canyons that still belong to the Cahuilla Indians, who used to live in these oases... and you can easily see why. Crystal clear streams flow down from the mountain, nourishing huge palm groves that in turn provide a habitat for many other plants and critters, and formerly the native people that used to live here. It's a truly beautiful and unique environment, surrounded by harsh, arid desert.  Underneath these shady palm groves and along the streams is a cool, lush world that you wouldn't expect to find in this otherwise hard and desolate looking area.
This is a view of Palm Canyon, the longest of the several canyons... there are interconnected hiking trails all over the area and I only had time to explore one of the smaller side canyons, so I will have to get back here soon. I shot this in the early evening light from a parking area at the top of the trail just before leaving for the day.
I'll have a few more from this spot as well as some other older stuff coming up, at least until we get some photo-worthy conditions up here in the mountains.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Mark, i would really like to have a better english. I could tell more about your photos that "they are beautiful".

I'm waiting for the other ones to come :)

In France, spring seems to be there also. At least where i'm living.

lotusleaf said...

Looks like a cool haven in the harsh desert. Your photo is wonderful.

Carolyn Ford said...

My husband and I have hiked the trails in this awesome canyon! And, you captured a beautiful image, too!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Would this not just be a perfect place to get lost for a few hours, lovely!

Its Time to Live said...

This is an image of a place that I could not have imagined. Now, it is a place I would like to visit. Thanks.

Unknown said...

nice blog ,,..hope i'll get a lot of information on your site..regards

fabioao said...

What an inspirational picture, good work!