This is the time of year when the world here in Minnesota turns brown, then white as colder temperatures and dismal, cloudy skies become the order of the day. It’s also the time when we begin to prepare for the cold and snowy January days we know are just around the corner. But it’s also the time to start planning our yearly trip to the warmth of Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.

This year I am planning on at least two trips out to Joshua Tree for hiking and photography. I am also hoping to do some night sky and star trails photography, but I’m not sure the moon is going to cooperate.

This sign above is located along Park Boulevard in roughly the center of the park. I titled the image “Middle of Nowhere” because that is the feeling I get when driving through the park, surrounded by the desert which is studded with large boulders and Joshua trees.

Last year’s trip was the first time trying my hand at night sky photography. Expectations were low, but I did manage to come away with a couple passable images. However, I knew I could do better given good weather, clear skies and no moon — which is a lot to ask.

This image was taken from the parking lot behind Cap Rock, one of the areas designated for night sky photography. Not a bad place, but if you are doing timed exposures or a series of intervalometer exposures for stacking, chances are you will need to contend with vehicle lights as folks are returning from sunset viewing up at Keys View. The red cast on the rocks is from vehicle tail lights. The other mistake I made here was not rotating my camera more to the left (north) to avoid the light of the setting sun to the southwest, and I could have avoided that altogether if I had waited longer until the sun had fully set.

And so I am looking forward to reporting back on some of the new sites I visit, such as Heart Rock, Balanced Rock, Penguin Rock, Bullseye Rock, Wall Street Mill and Wonderland Ranch.

Joshua Tree National Park Planning

November