Palm Springs Indian Canyons (2)

Walking along the fan palm grove, we emerged into a desert region flanked by dramatic eroded rock formations.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons (1)

The next morning (February 11) we drove south through Palm Springs to the Indian Canyons on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation. Descending a rather steep path, we entered a remarkably concentrated and extensive grove of fan palms growing along a shallow spring.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (6)

Part 6 of a series.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (5)

Part 5 of a series.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (4)

Part 4 of a series.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (3)

Part 3 of a series.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (2)

Part 2 of a series.

        

   

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (1)

On each day of our Road Scholar program in the High Desert of Southern California, we generally did two distinct activities. In the afternoon of our first day, after the introductory morning tour of Joshua Tree National Park, we went to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

From Wikipedia: "The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a 31,000 acres native plants habitat and wildlife preserve located in the Little San Bernardino Mountains of the Transverse Ranges, in the transition zone between the higher Mojave Desert and lower elevation Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert."

It's perhaps not as exotic and strange as the National Park, but it's very attractive in its own right. I'll be posting pictures for the next six days, presented in the order that I took them that afternoon as we walked through the Preserve.

Aged Vegetation in Joshua Tree National Park

As the juniper and other vegetation age in the hot, dry climate of the high desert, they blacken and assume desiccated, contorted shapes. Meanwhile, a raven scouts the territory.

Cactus: Red Barrel and Cholla

Among the many varieties of cactus in Joshua Tree National Park, red barrel cacti stand out because of their color. Here are some at various stages of development, as well as two species of cholla.

I think this is Cylindropuntial acanthocarpa, commonly referred to as buckhorn cholla.

And this is Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, known by the common name of silver cholla.

Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is not just about Joshua trees. It also has spectacular rock formations. We'll see more photos of them in the Wonderland of Rocks posting in a few days, but here are some impressions from our introductory visit.

Spanish Bayonet in Joshua Tree National Park

Spanish bayonet, also known as aloe yucca or dagger yucca, is widely distributed in Joshua Tree National Park. It forms an attractive part of the landscape when situated near rocks, Joshua trees, or other plants.