California in spring

[Tom Barr]

These are a few pics we took on a wildflower hunt.

Telescope peak from Badwater, a total of 11,4000ft of elevation change there.

Death Valley

There are fish that live here believe it or not.
Desert Pup fish, they can live up to 112F, 3x saltier than seawater.

They also can exists in what is one of the smallest ecosystems in the world, tiny pools. Very colorful as well. Devil's Hole is one of the last places.

Do not come here in the summer, average temps are 50C. It is one of the hottest places on earth. Early spring after a rain(if you are lucky) and camp up in the high evelations.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

More, this time from Clinton's last NM designation before he left:
Carrizo plain:

CA Pronghorn, rather playful critters and hard to get near. Took me awhile.

Looking south to Mt Pinos

Huge fields of gold I tell ya.

Soda lake and fiddle necks

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

More from the upper parts of Carrizo:

Lots of flowers.

The lakes near Sacramento have massive Lupine and poppies blooming right now, I'll get some new pics later.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

Joshua tree flowers, massive, head sized.

Lichen at PNM:

Indian paint brush

Blue dicks along the trail to the Caves in PNM:

Regards,
Tom barr

 

[Tom Barr]

And of course Tufa at Mono lake:

Regards,
Tom barr

 

[orion2001]

Wow, great pics Tom! I can't wait to finish up with grad school and move to California! I'm from the India and I can't stand the winters out here on the East coast

 

[Tom Barr]

I'm from the upper midwest, while I like snow and all, I like to be able to travel to it, just not live in it.

California has the more different habitats than anywhere I know.

Deserts, some of the hottest, driest on earth
Rainforest, lush and with bthe tallest most massive biomass trees per area
Tall mountains, deep valleys
Open savanna
Oak woodland
Largest inland Delta
Marine tidal flats
Marine systems/macro algae
Volcanic mountains
Waterfalls
Lots of rivers
Serpentine
Vernal pools
Oldest Trees
Largest Trees
Dramatic coast line
Not Humid most of the time
Fog
Driftwood
Many endemic species of animals and plants found no where else.

Cost a lot to live here though.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[orion2001]

Are you sure you aren't working for the California tourism Industry?
Yeah, I need to find a good job on the West Coast, but I definitely want to be there so I can travel around and see all that great stuff in my free time.

 

[jsarrow]

Awesome pictures, thanks for posting these. Gives local CA folks a great idea on where to take a few road trips next spring.

js