Desert Trout

Last Wednesday, I went out on a photo adventure. The theme turned out to be water, as I started at the Coachella Valley Preserve. This Preserve sits atop the San Andreas Fault. Its main feature is a native Palm grove set among and around an oasis. I sloshed through the sulphur laden air hoping to catch a glimpse of the endangered Fringe Toad lizard (I think I did, but the little things move so fast I can't be sure). It was a surprise to see a small lake and a riparian habitat in the middle of the desert, a place known to have average temperatures of 110 degrees in the summer. From here, I headed up to the Whitewater Preserve near the Banning Pass. I approached through a narrow canyon, and passed a dry waterfall whose origin was high above on the cliff. At the end of the road was the opening to a beautiful valley with a wild stream running through it. I read on the map that I could hike all the way to the top of San Gregornio Mountain. I choose to stay near the parking lot this first time. I walked through what used to be a trout farm, and is now a part of the preserve, on a well manicured path. From here I went exploring in and around the windmill farms, then back to Palm Springs and home. On my adventure, I brought along a new film to test. Some Ilford 3200. It had to be shipped to Los Angeles to be developed and I am excited to see what I captured. Of course I brought my digital camera so that I could have some instant gratification, but for me nothing compares to properly exposed negative film. I have lived here in Palm Springs for 7 years now, and am still surprised at how much water is in the desert. My hope is that nature will continue to surprise me for years to come.