Shooting the moon over a Sky Island in the Sonoran Desert

When it comes to shooting the moon, I try to get the camera out at least two to three days before the official full moon to get a rough idea where the moon will rise over the horizon.  One of the reasons I chose this particular camp was the near location of a mountainous ridge, or Sky Island, to the east.  Plus lots of dense Sonoran desert vegetation.

Bob rolled out of camp after over a week of visiting including following me to the BLM camp south of Ajo.  Sure enjoyed his company and all the places we explored.  Being that day’s high was predicted for 82° I decided to hang my solar shower bag on the camper’s ladder and heat water to wash my hair.  By afternoon I enjoyed a delightfully warm outdoor shower without shooting the moon at my neighbors.  Not sure a low flying jet pilot didn’t get an eyeful as I towel wrapped, but I didn’t really care.  It swooped low and punched it over the camper to roar down valley. Shook the earth, air, and me. They do fly low doing maneuvers, but this seemed excessive.  Turkey Vultures soar higher.  Seeing them tells me Spring has sprung in the Sonoran Desert.

I set up the tripod even though I’d be shooting the moon before it was entirely full with ambient light making it easier to shoot just before sunset.  Mountain ridge made a nice horizon line.

Life is short and mostly BS, so follow your dreams and reach for the moon

Surrounding Saguaro also provided a nice foreground.

More military flyovers the next day but not quite so low.  Called an A10 jet or Warthog.  They go so fast.  When I hear one, it’s not coming, it’s already been.  What does the wildlife think?

A helicopter circled the nearby mountain ridge several times then did a touch and go.  Guess it’s all about learning maneuvers.  I get the idea of practice makes better as I feel that way every month when I’m shooting the moon.

So I set up again the night before official full moon and at first there was still a little post-sunset glow.

Then as it got darker I found it more difficult to even see if the camera was in focus, which it is so often not in limited light.  One of my nearest neighbors could be heard howling at the moon along with the coyotes.

Another 82° day had me sitting outside reading and thinking, wearing the only summer dress I brought along.  With my birthday only a week away I wondered where I should be.

Flowering Creosote bush

I messaged Joann about returning to her Congress camp and she was just coming down with a head cold so that was a no go for me.  I wished her virtual chicken soup and best vibes for healing.  I thought about returning to the Quartzsite area, but reality said to stay right there, or at least close by.

Paul, a Grand Canyon friend, was camped just down the road and leaving the following week.  So I decided to stay in place over the weekend, go to town Tuesday, and join Paul before he moved on.

(Nose where above moon rise happened)

Didn’t set up the camera for shooting the moon as it was too late and dark.  Took a handheld shot out the door and a phone shot in reflection.

I’m not always awake for even a colorful sunrise yet enjoy whatever I get from my main window view.  One morning I saw a rather dark spot on a dead tree top maybe 1000 feet away.  As the early morning rays struck, the spot became a Turkey Vulture roosting on a guano covered snag.  It hung out for 40 minutes, preening and stretching wings with the light dancing around different parts of its body.  I wondered if perhaps there was a nest nearby.  Bob had told me they lay only two eggs directly on the ground.

Later in the morning, one of my neighbors, the BobCats, stopped to say goodbye as they’d run out of propane in the night and were headed back to their Phoenix area home only a couple hours away.  They gifted me an extra gallon jug of water for my birthday.

I spent a large part of the day inside at the computer writing, processing photos, and editing videos while watching the clouds drift around.

Then outside for a wonderful sunset.  So hard to stop taking photos of an ultra worthy coloring to the late night sky.

Left and down from center for the snag

The next day’s clouds were also outstanding and with temperatures in the high 60s and little wind it seemed a perfect day to go for a walk and maybe find where that Vulture snag rises from.

But no hurry as I’m not particularly an early morning person and the clouds lingered.

After lunch I headed out avoiding the nickel-sized Globe Mallow breaking through the parched desert dirt.  Then I felt a few raindrops hit my thirsty skin.  Arizona 12 foot rule, that’s 12 drops per square foot.

It wasn’t easy to find a trail through the dense growth along the dry washes avoiding spines from the Mesquite and Palo Verde trees plus Cholla cactus spines strewn about.

I managed to work back and forth crossing two dry washes before I stood at the base of that white-colored Vulture snag.  It was much more impressive from camp.   Didn’t find a nesting site. I ended up taking more video with the phone than camera photos.  I only got one thorn snag that drew a little blood on the back of my hand on an hour and a half walk.

After my walk the clouds increased and temperature dropped and brought a little more needed rain.  Petrichor, with an added essence of Spring creosote bush.  Then came the best gift of all as a rainbow seemed to fall from mammatus clouds only to disappear behind the nearby mountain.

It didn’t last long but the clouds continued with sweeping shapes until a colorful sunset took over the show.

Hard wind kept me inside the following day.  Sometimes I question my sanity hanging out in the Spring desert but it sure beats 25° nights at my Skull Valley home.

Fortunately, with wind on the nose of the truck the camper door could still be open and I do enjoy not only a great view but saw—and even better heard–my first of the season Cactus Wren.

As I was finished shooting the moon and needed water plus a few supplies, I went to Ajo and included a lunch treat.

Then returned to the Sonoran Desert and drove a bit beyond my previous camp to visit with Paul and settle into a new camp where I’d be joined for my birthday celebration.