Desert Lily Photo

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 14 Comments

Desert Lily at sunrise this morning, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Desert Lily, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

This was from sunrise this morning – these are the coolest desert flowers around!

I think recent cold weather has delayed the bloom a bit, it is warmer this week and I hope that spurs more blooming by the weekend.  Brittlebush for example is almost always in bloom by now, but not this year.  But, like fall colors, thing can seemingly change overnight.

Unfortunately, some of the famous roadside fields like the ones along Henderson Canyon Road have been taken over with mustard.  I’m doing a lot of scouting this week and have found some nice little areas, but the windshield drive by flower viewer might be disappointed by this years show despite all the rain – we will know soon!

By the way, I received a nice mention by being included on this list of 50 amazing nature photography blogs.

Desert Agave Photo

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 17 Comments

Desert Agave also known as Century Plant, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Desert Agave also known as Century Plant, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

I found and photographed a couple of these beautiful blooming plants this morning – this is a real treat as it takes some 20 to 40 years, if not more, before this plant blooms and then dies.  A new plant then begins to grow from the periphery and the process begins all over.  So as you can imagine, there are very few of these plants in bloom in any given spring – so it is a real treat to find one!  I have located a couple – this one is in Yaqui Pass, the other in San Felipe Canyon.

It was pretty stormy this morning – I like to think of this weather as a high variance photo opportunity, this is especially true in the desert.  What I mean by that is stormy weather greatly increases the chance for amazing light and unique atmospheric conditions, the kind of conditions that can lead to wonderful photo opportunities.  But, bad weather also greatly increases the chance of coming away with nothing!

I was reminded of that today.  At my first stop, the agave in San Felipe Canyon, I was greeted by hard wind and rain and came away with nothing.  On my second stop, I found calm wind and the beautiful defused light you see here.   At one point I even had a brief rainbow!

Desert Wildflower Bloom Update

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 8 Comments

Farmer's Market, Borrego Springs, California.

Farmer's Market, Borrego Springs, California.

With the weekend just about upon us, I know lots of people are looking for an update to the desert wildflower bloom.  Posting a photo of the wonderful Friday Farmer’s Market probably speaks volumes.  🙂

There is a vary wide variety of small wildflowers blooming in this area right now, and “pedal peepers” who are on the hunt for unique and pretty desert wildflowers won’t be disappointed.  The large carpets of wildflowers that have made this area famous, and that are preferred by most photographers haven’t developed yet.   This, coupled with foretasted winds is why I really can’t recommend visiting this weekend.  I found some wonderful fields of Purplemat this morning, so there are opportunities, but I really think next weekend and the following will be far better.  Stayed tuned here for more updates.

Hey speaking of the next two weekends, I have just one spot remaining for the first weekend of my Anza-Borrego desert photo tour / workshop.  The second one is full.

Lindsey Vonn and the Winter Olympics

Ron NiebruggeAlaska, Photos, Travel 6 Comments

Lindsey Vonn (was Lindsey Kildow at the time) at the 2004 U.S. Alpine Championships at Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, Alaska.

Lindsey Vonn at the 2004 U.S. Alpine Championships at Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, Alaska.

I obtained a press pass and photographed the U.S. Alpine Championships 6 years ago in Girdwood.  It was a great experience.   During the week there was only a hand full of spectators along with these amazing athletes.  At the time the mens’ team was stacked with famous skiers like Bode Miller and Daron Rahlves, but on the womens’ side were a bunch of young, outgoing, energetic ladies that were relatively unknown including Lindsey Vonn (Kildow at the time) and Julia Mancuso.  Today both those ladies are Olympic gold medalist, and Lindsey Vonn is considered the best U.S. Skier ever!  I was rooting hard for them yesterday as they won gold and silver at the Olympic downhill.

I gotta admit I have always been an Olympic junkie, but this year seems extra special, probably for a few reasons.  Having photographed some of the Alpine team brings some extra attachment as did our trip to Vancouver last winter to photograph the Olympic facilities – for once the Olympic venue sights are all very familiar.  Having a huge Alaska contingency also helps – including two ladies who run in the Seward Mt. Marathon race every summer.  Finally, we found that the residents of Vancouver and Whistler to be the nicest people we have encountered in our travels, and for this reason I find myself pulling for the Canadians and want to see them host a successful Olympics.

Roadrunner

Ron NiebruggeAnza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 19 Comments

Roadrunner, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Greater Roadrunner, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

I photographed this guy this morning at first light.  I watched him catch a kill a small bird – it was a bit gruesome, but at the same time a bit fascinating, these birds are some hunters.  You can see the residual feather on the end of his bill.