Wow, it was a really wet winter in southern California this year. If you’re thinking hot, dry, brown Mojave Desert, well, these photos will surprise you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the desert this green before.
Yep, that’s what happens to the Coachella Valley when you add a lot of water. And little streams can turn into raging torrents.
Does the rain make the reptiles more active, I wonder? Ferda scared a rattlesnake on one of our first walks. It stayed curled in the shade while I tried (unsuccessfully) to take a photo. On another day Ferda and Gertjan scared a large rattlesnake with a girth the size of their forearms! It slithered away quickly downhill making the loudest rattle noise I’ve ever heard.
I think it was Jasper who spotted this rosy boa which was easy to photograph since they are very slow moving.
And what a treat to happen upon this mating pair of southern alligator lizards.
Jasper and Zoë came down for a quick trip from Anchorage.
And Jacqui and Gertjan visited from Vancouver.
In Palm Springs we did a short self-guided mid-century modern architecture tour.
A bit west of Palm Springs (in Whitewater) was this Desert X exhibit of a reclining person made from shipping containers.
As always for me it was a wonderful time in the desert.
So beautiful–I kept meaning to get out there and never did. Glad you made the time to do it!
Yup! Lots of wildflowers everywhere this year!