Listen, Watch, Follow the Wind

The desert sings her lonely song

Deserts can bring solitude and oneness with the environment but can also be some of the loneliest places on the planet. Most often all I encounter is the tracks of some small living creature and hardly ever a living soul.  

Walking across undisturbed paths, it seems like the soil has remained untouched for eons.  Just the desert winds and a rare rainstorm is all that have left traces across this barren no man’s land.  

Once in a lifetime sun bleached bones give away secrets to what might have called this remoteness a home.  

A weather torn shack still stands out in the middle of nowhere. Its rusted siding tells of a legacy from long ago.  Might it have been a water source for long departed dwellers?   

On closer observation, the puzzle of cracked dried earth leaves clues that this was perhaps a catch basin for water which in the desert can be more precious than gold. 

Layers of clear weather clouds gather atop the mountains, ominous weather with very strong winds could be on the horizon.   

Feeling so alone in this abandoned land, it is only the wind that brings me a feeling of comfort.  Maybe the long ago spirits come in with the wind to ride again across this desolate landscape.     

 

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Photo-adventures with Wild Burros

Long ears and shaggy manes looking out over the sage brush

 Heading out to no-man’s land in the desert looking for adventure and much to my surprise there against the horizon was a large group of wild burros.  The area where I was driving was the road that ran near Garfield Flats.  Garfield Flats has desolate topography with some interesting rock outcroppings that were formed from volcanism.  

On my previous trips I had not encountered much wildlife except for birds, lizards and a sole coachwhip snake.  Coming upon this many wild burros was a rare treat.  Not too far in the distance and at a higher elevation lies the Marietta Wild Burro Range. I thought maybe the burros were seeking lower ground with the cold fronts that were forecast later in the week. 

 
Concerned that my truck might scare the burros, I stopped and took several photos before I drove any closer. The road ran right past to where the burros were grazing so I decided to continue slowly forward.  To my relief, most of the burros kept their heads down and did not stop eating.

Being curious animals, several burros stopped eating and watched with ears forward to determine what I was up to.  This is when a zoom lens is mighty useful. 

   

Wild burros are not true native desert creatures but were brought over to the Desert Southwest by the Spaniards in the 1500’s.  They were originally from Africa and known as the Wild Ass.  These present day wild burros reach a height of around 5 feet and were valued as pack animals.   Being sure-footed, these hardy creatures can carry heavy burdens and go for days in the hot desert without water. 

The diet of wild burros which consists mainly of native desert grasses along with  Mormon Tea and Plantain will provide the animals with moisture.  However, wild burros are known to stay within 10 miles of a water source.   They can endure up to a 30% loss of  body weight in water and then replenish it in 5 minutes.

A few of the female burros were filled out and almost appeared to be pregnant, which is unusual this late in the season. I noticed one foal that was still trying to nurse.  The temperatures for this autumn have been very mild, however colder weather is sure to come 

These burros are fortunate to reside in an area that has been designated for them.  Although wild burros are protected wildlife under the 1971Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (Public Law 92-195) they still face many challenges with life in the open desert.

As the sun dropped to a low angle, it was time to leave the burros and head back before nightfall.  I look forward to a return visit but that might not be till spring depending on how much snowpack the winter brings.  

Follow my blog and check back often to see where my next photo-adventure will go.  Part of the thrill is just allowing it to happen, like with the wild burros.       

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Exploring Central Nevada along Rabbit Springs Road

Outdoor Cathedrals, Pinnacles and Nature's Artistry

In celebration of Easter and Earth Day, I made a sojourn to observe nature along Rabbit Springs Road  through the Gabbs Valley Range in Central Nevada. 

 Turning off US highway 95 just before reaching the dry lake and the small town of Luning, I traveled up highway 361 for less than 10 miles.  

In the distance, colorful rugged mountains with lines, swirls and curves accent the landscape giving a breath taking view and a feeling of reverence.

Driving north on the dirt road, sculpted rocks stand out to the east with features that remind me of the pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttress of a Gothic cathedral.

A glimpse of white by the road side causes me to stop for a closer look.   A tiny cushion phlox is just starting to bloom in the rocky soil.

Continuing on, to the west I notice a distinct group of pinnacles accented against the clear blue sky.  Piñon pine and Junipers grow well in the lower rock strewn slopes.

As I come to the pass, the distinctive shape of a volcanic cone stands out in the distance. I decide to turn around; otherwise it would take me all the way back to Walker Lake.  There still remains a lot of daylight and much more to explore.

Something red catches my eye on the west side of the road and it’s a nice grouping of Desert Paintbrush!

Across the road, a colorful rock has a tiny yellow flower growing in its crevice, what an inspirational reminder of nature’s artistry.

Speaking of nature's artistry, it's like a master landscaper was at work placing a cliff rose at the base of such an interesting rock.

As the day begins to wind down, I stopped for a break and just as I turn off the road I spotted a coachwhip stretched out to catch the warm sun.  Fearing that I would scare the snake, I quickly grabbed my camera and lowered the truck window.  But no worries, the snake posed for several frames and I then slowly backed up, respecting its space.

What a wonderful day this was and I feel that I was in nature’s cathedral. Sometimes it's the small things that give the greatest rewards.  To be out in nature as an observer, one also becomes a participant.  As a participant, tread lightly and go reverently for you will be awarded with nature’s wonders.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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