The "tree" for which they named a National Park.........white blooms just starting
I thought "Boulder" was in Colorado
I cannot tell a lie.......I did not take this picture but, it is the Salton Sea ...and white PelicansJoshua Tree National Park is located north-west of Palm Springs and, is so named for the abundance of Joshua Trees (go figure), which are unique to the Mojave Desert. The park encompasses part of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts (The Colorado being a sub-set of the Sonora……..got it?) The Joshua Tree is actually not a tree at all but, a type of Yucca, which in turn is a type of lily (anyone confused?) We visited the park because this is the peak time of year for the blooming of all the desert wildflowers ………..except for this year!!!!! This winter has been so dry; the wildflower seeds have not had enough moisture to germinate. (“You shoulda been here last year!!!”) But……the Joshua Trees are just beginning to bloom. The south-western US has some of the most interesting geology we have ever seen and this park has its fair share…….granite boulders the size of houses all piled one upon another.
As one drives from the northern edge of the park and out the south end, you descent from a 3,000 foot elevation, until reaching the Salton Sea at 220 feet BELOW sea level. In the process the desert ecosystems continually change with the altitude. We’re getting quite good at identifying all the desert flora and fauna. The Salton Sea, the largest lake in California, was formed from a massive two year flood of the Colorado River in 1905. It is highly saline and endorheic (my new word for the day……no outflow……only evaporation). In fact, in a few years only Tilapia will be able to survive in the high salt environment. Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary, is one of the lead proponents for cleaning up this waterway but, like the Imperial Valley to the south, the presence of water (after filtering and treating) has created a vast agricultural oasis in this area. Figs and dates anyone??
As one drives from the northern edge of the park and out the south end, you descent from a 3,000 foot elevation, until reaching the Salton Sea at 220 feet BELOW sea level. In the process the desert ecosystems continually change with the altitude. We’re getting quite good at identifying all the desert flora and fauna. The Salton Sea, the largest lake in California, was formed from a massive two year flood of the Colorado River in 1905. It is highly saline and endorheic (my new word for the day……no outflow……only evaporation). In fact, in a few years only Tilapia will be able to survive in the high salt environment. Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary, is one of the lead proponents for cleaning up this waterway but, like the Imperial Valley to the south, the presence of water (after filtering and treating) has created a vast agricultural oasis in this area. Figs and dates anyone??
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