Written by Steve
on 

Joshua Tree Day 2

We spent a day and a half in Joshua Tree National Park before heading to Death Valley. Donna has visited briefly many years ago.

We started the day at 6:30 am breakfast to get over to the Oasis of Mara to see birds.

I got a better photo of Anna’s Hummingbird today. The iridescent colors are produced by refraction in the feathers of the bird.

Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird

House Finch
House Finch

We went back to the hotel and checked out. The route to Death Valley headed west out of Twentynine Palms and past Indian Cove. We stopped and did the short nature trail hike.

Western Side-blotched Lizard
Western Side-blotched Lizard

Barrel Cactus
Barrel Cactus

Drove to Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

Entering the Panamint Valley
Entering the Panamint Valley

We saw lots of yellow wildflowers in the Panamint Valley north of Trona.

Desert Sunflowers
Desert Sunflowers

Saw a tarantula crossing the road. It’s the end of breeding season for them and the 10-12 year old males are out looking for a mate.

Tarantula
Tarantula

We arrived at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley in time for sunset.

Sunset
Sunset