Chuckwallas & Chollas {Joshua Tree National Park}

After staying the night at Chiriaco Summit, we drove thru Joshua Tree National Park from the south entrance exiting the north station. Nicole and I birded the Bajada Nature Trail just inside the entrance, and found four species of birds in one tree! However that was all we found. Next we hiked at Cottonwood Spring and found lots of birds in the tall, green oasis of trees. Again, nothing beyond that.  

The ocotillo were very tall and in bloom.

Nicole used to work at this park, and said we must stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden. It's such an unusual place. It feels a bit like being in a fantasy world, one that's covered in needles. All you see is Teddy Bear Chollas and mountains.

Here's a typical Teddy Bear Cholla, with the dark to like gradient. (left) Skeleton (right)

We returned to Joshua Tree a few days later with our Israeli friends. This time we started the day with a hike at Cap Rock.

We drove to the end of the road at Keys View and enjoyed gazing out over the landscape. We could even, just barely, see the Salton Sea 35 miles away where Nicole is working.

Last we stopped at Skull Rock to hike, but only ended up going a short distance. The kids were happy with the rocks in one area, so we stayed nearby while they played hide and seek. 

We had some close views of Chuckwallas!