Last winter, hubby and I visited the Big Morongo Preserve, which is only about an hour from our home in Palm Desert, CA. I used to have the rangers come down to my third grade class and do a presentation for my students, but we aren't allowed to do that kind of thing anymore because of low test scores. So, the students miss out on a morning full of all kinds of interesting facts about desert plants and animals, and instead have to concentrate on test practice, but that's another story. On this day, hubby and I stayed on the boardwalk and took our time and tried to observe as much as we could. I knew those boards were there for a reason (see photo), and yes, we stayed on them! The Big Morongo Preserve has a large variety of plants and trees, from palm trees to pines and lots of sycamores and cottonwoods! Deserts aren't always dry and lifeless and this area is an example that shows a variety of plants and animals that can live in the desert. It backs up to Joshua Tree National Park, if you are looking for it on a map. Scenic Sunday for January 17, 2010.
4 comments:
Looks like an interesting place to visit! Have you ever seen the mountain lion? Thanks for sharing your walk and photos.
Eileen, no I haven't seen one and probably wouldn't. They are very quiet and stealthy. BUT, I'm pretty sure we were followed and stalked by one one time in Arizona, along the Mogollon Rim. Hubby grabbed my arm and said, "Don't MOVE! SOMETHING is watching us." And, I asked, "How do you know?" to which he replied, "Because the hairs on the back of my neck are all standing up!"...he was pretty sure it was a mountain lion. We had hiked way out in the forest, armed with only our cameras, so we turned and made ourselves REAL BIG and walked back out!!! Mountain lions HAVE killed joggers here in our local mountains in Southern California, so they DO populate the mountains, especially the Cleveland National Forest.
beautiful blue sky for a nice walk.... great shot
Big Morango is an awesome place. I used to bird there 20 years ago when I lived in Long Beach. Last March we spent a week in Palm Springs and I took a trip up to bird it once more. It is still and awesome place to bird!
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