When the sun rose, I anticipated seeing familiar insects, lizards and birds and hoped for something new.
Flame Skimmer dragonflies patrolled the "lake" with other dragonflies I have yet to identify.
Another familiar sight was the Tarantula Hawk wasps which grasped their food source enthusiastically.
Amazingly, we had close to 100 different species of birds to admire. This Blue Grosbeak was found in the yard of a home in nearby Shoshone, another inviting place for birds to land when crossing the desert.
Dublin Gulch, the abandoned homes of previous silver miners is an invaluable reminder of the deep history of this small town. It was also the spot where I saw my very first Desert Iguana!
Shoshone is actively developing bird friendly areas while maintaining their historic past. Don't expect to find any big chain coffee shops or restaurants here. Everything is locally owned.
The last hidden place we visited was China Ranch. Besides growing and harvesting dates, they, too, are honoring their historic past and encouraging Nature explorers to hike their newly developed trails. One of them leads to the wild and scenic Amargosa River.
I greatly appreciate the efforts of these communities who honor their heritage and who protect the land which supports an abundance of life in the desert!
"For all the toll the desert takes of a man, it gives compensations, deep breaths, deep sleep and the communion of the stars."
Mary Austin
"The Land of Little Rain"
"For all the toll the desert takes of a man, it gives compensations, deep breaths, deep sleep and the communion of the stars."
Mary Austin
"The Land of Little Rain"
