Part I
Exploring around Benton Spring
With the desert wildflower season starting to bloom, I took a chance on what I
might find in the Gabbs area. The Gabbs Mountain Range extends 40 miles
southeastward from Walker Lake to the Pilot Mountains, at 38.6718674 North and
-118.1854009 West. Located in the Great Basin Desert, this area seems to have
its own micro-climate when the rain producing clouds stall over its rugged
mountain ranges.
As I approached the highest point of highway 361with
the colorful rock displays, I turned off on to Rabbit Springs Road which wanders
through the Gabbs Range. If I kept driving on the winding dirt road, it would
eventually take me back to Walker Lake, however that was not my goal for this
flower seeking quest.
Turning on the first established trail to the
east, I was interested to see what might be blooming along the route to Benton
Spring. What I didn't anticipate was that this turn would lead me to some
interesting discoveries.
No sooner had I turned when my eye caught the yellow flowers on a prickly pear cactus.
No sooner had I turned when my eye caught the yellow flowers on a prickly pear cactus.
Walking to the cactus, I almost
stepped on a well camouflaged horned lizard waiting near by to catch any insects
that were drawn to the blooms.
A short distance ahead I noticed a
large bush that was full of yellow blooms.
Drawing closer, I realized the
healthy plant was a Bitterbrush. Regardless of its name, this plant is a major
year around food source for wildlife and livestock, especially in the dead of
winter.
Walking higher up the trail, a stand of Narrowleaf willows
stood out next to the canyon, an indication of the presence of water.
As I ascended further up the trail, there was a depressed area in the
base of the canyon that looked like it might be a cave.
Sure enough as
I came closer, I discovered that it was the opening to a rather large cave.
Looking down on the dirt trail, I began to notice animal tracks leading to the
cave entrance. Most had been left from cattle; however there was a set that
might belong to a cougar. Not knowing what might be enjoying the coolness of
the cave, I held back and began to check for additional prints. To my surprise
and just a short distance from the cave was the partially devoured skeleton of a
cow. Since the weather was so warm, I deducted that this had been a recent
kill.
Curiosity got the better of me and I quietly approached the
cave's entrance. A shallow pond of water marred with cow prints lay at the
opening and I was not that curious to go wading through the dirty water. Better
judgment then took over and I decided to get back with my wildflower photos.
Maybe one day I will do a return visit and be more prepared to go cave
exploring!
Coming down the trail, I stopped for a photo and began to marvel at the landscape with its "Badland" scenery.
Coming down the trail, I stopped for a photo and began to marvel at the landscape with its "Badland" scenery.
What a feeling of desolation
one gets from being alone in this primitive area. My imagination could run wild
as I gaze over the Pliocene lake deposits against the sandy brown limestone that
were left from the Jurassic age.
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"
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