Flowers in the Desert

Thursday, 12/13/06
1930

I have never backpacked in the desert, but I’ve read several books and a number of magazine articles about it. Aside from the advice about water, heat, and safety, many of them talked about how beautiful the desert it when it blooms.

It’s hard to imagine when you just see the bare sand and feel the heat, but now that it’s cooler and we’ve had some rain, some flowers have popped out here and there. Some of them are in cultivated areas around buildings, and some are on what look like weeds that have taken root here and there.

I was out the other day and took a few pictures. It’s nice to see some life and color in this otherwise dreary and monotonous place:


061211 Flowers 0001
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061211 Flowers 0002
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061211 Flowers 0006
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061211 Flowers 0010
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061211 Flowers 0011
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061211 Flowers 0014
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

While I’m at it, I also went out a few days ago when the full moon was especially interesting, and took a few pictures of it. My friend Mark from Junior High has told me that the moon is particularly difficult to photograph well, and these pictures bear out that assertion. But although they are not very clear, they still capture the atmosphere of the scene, so I like them:


061206 Moonlight 0007
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

061206 Moonlight 0011
Originally uploaded by hkp7fan.

If this weren’t a war zone, I think I might enjoy going out and camping in the desert. Someday when I get home I’m going to have to head for the southwest and try it.

Mood: Good
Music: Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill