Joshua Tree teaser

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Joshua Tree teaser

27 April, 2009 by Adam R. Paul

We still have two days left to explore this amazing place, and we’re already planning a return next year.

To our surprise, the desert is blooming great guns, especially the many different cacti.

Bird-wise I’ve picked up a few lifers: Scott’s Oriole, Black-throated Sparrow, Gambel’s Quail, Cactus Wren, Costa’s Hummingbird, and Verdin. Hopefully we’ll get a few more over the next 4 days (2 in JTNP, 2 in Palm Springs).

For now, here are a few photos, taken with my iPhone, so forgive the quality & formatting, as this is also my first post using the WordPress app.

Posted in Birding, Hiking, Photography, Travel, Wildflowers | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on 27 April, 2009 at 09:13 myphotoscout

Hello Adam,

I can’t wait to see your shots. I love Joshua tree, but I haven’t spent much time there recently. Its a bit far out of my way.
The wordpress app on the iPhone seems to work quite well for you. I have blogged with it on occasion.
Now I will explore your blog a little more.
Andre
- on 27 April, 2009 at 21:07 Adam R. Paul
  
  Welcome, and thanks for commenting, Andre! I think Joshua Tree is a bit far out of everyone’s way… It took us ~9 hours to get here from SF. I was surprised that our rental nrar the park has full cell signal and 3G!
on 27 April, 2009 at 11:13 Olover

Those iPhone pics are nice! I don’t have a steady enough hand for that work.

*I Donated to Cornell Ornithology!*
http://www.opticsplanet.net/cornell-lab-of-ornithology.html
- on 27 April, 2009 at 22:06 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thanks! The iphone’s camera neither demands nor rewards a steady hand – go for it!
on 27 April, 2009 at 12:13 Bernie Kasper

Beautiful images Adam, can’t wait too see them all, looks like you are having a great time !!
- on 27 April, 2009 at 22:09 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thank you – I can’t wait to see than (on a real screen) too :). Words cannot describe this place – pure magic.
on 27 April, 2009 at 19:38 Thomas

Fabulous series of images. WOW. But your followers have to click on the image to see the larger version to appreciate the true class of your images.
- on 28 April, 2009 at 21:19 Adam R. Paul
  
  True, but I don’t see any way to embed larger images – oh well…
on 28 April, 2009 at 19:00 Red

Every once in a while that iPhone takes great pics 🙂 Glad you gave it a shot! You’ll also be pleased to find out your WP app worked just fine.

It sure looks very nice there right now. Glad the cacti are all still blooming for you. Looks like the Joshua Trees are kind of sparse in their blooms right now. Too bad. They’re incredible when the majority are blooming.
- on 28 April, 2009 at 21:22 Adam R. Paul
  
  Yeah, only a couple of J trees still had flowers on them, but that’s more than made up for by the incredible variety of other blooms we’ve seen. I think we’re north of 40 species blooming, and nearly all are new to us!
on 29 April, 2009 at 07:36 Mary Carlson

Glad you’re having fun, Adam (and Sarah). I look forward to seeing and hearing about all that you enjoyed. This has to be the best time of the year to visit places like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. Meanwhile, it’s been a bit on the cool side up here, but I’m not complaining.
- on 29 April, 2009 at 18:38 Adam R. Paul
  
  Yes, the weather has been pretty excellent by desert standards, although it’s in the high 80s here in Palm Springs, with a forecast of 94 tomorrow. Pretty hot for us weak-blooded San Franciscans!