The day before Thanksgiving we move from the high, airy Mid Hills campground at 5600 feet above sea level to the much balmier Kelso Dunes at 2400 feet. My couple of hikes in the dunes put me into a rare camera frenzy. The dunes are providers of unusual sights.
A few tamarisk trees provide a sheltered campsite.
Kelso Dunes Campsite
A raven eyes me from his perch on a small dune.
Dune Raven
I find lots of “wind drawings”.
Wind Drawing 3
Wind Drawing 5
Wind Drawing 6
Wind Drawing 7
Spiral
I see no litter on the dunes except for this mylar balloon. These are the world’s most effective remote littering devices.
Helium Litter
The mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the swirling spine of the dunes.
Dunes and Mountains
Dunes and Mountains
Ann takes a break
All manner of creatures leave their trails.
Tail Drawings
Bird Tracks
Dark Sand Beetle
Sand Spider
Light Sand Beetle
My Tracks
Tracks to Infinity
It takes us a long time to make our way up the highest dune.
Ann in the dunes
Ann takes a break
Us on the high dune
A couple of painted lady butterflies meet us there.
Painted Lady Butterfly
All this, and a fantastic camper-cooked thanksgiving meal by Ann too. Truly gratitude-inspiring.
Camper Thanksgiving Dinner Cook
2 responses to “Thanksgiving at Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve”
WOW.
indeed.