A passion for the rails - I have been photographing trains, I think, forever. I remember taking a snapshot, with my dad’s old camera, of a big black train tearing by while I was still in high school. There is this adrenaline rush, a natural high as the train passes; horns screaming, crossing bells going off, the ground rumbling. Did you know you can stand at a crossing and scream as loud as you can, and you can’t hear it over the engine noise? It is a very primal feeling. More...

Spring Rattles In - Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the desert, but it can also be a time for caution. Rattlesnakes lie dormant during the cold fall and winter months and awaken from hibernation in the warm months of March and April. Last year in March, over one weekend, I saw three rattlesnakes while working outdoors in a semiarid region of Southern California. That same spring I saw a few more baby rattlers in various areas of the 20-acre property where I live. Many of my friends have never encountered a rattlesnake and seem quite nervous when they visit my home. More...

It's not a brand new bag - Several times year I go through my camera bags and replace things that need replacing and clean the bags. It doesn’t do much good to try to keep your gear nice and clean if your camera bag is dirty on the inside. The outside of the bag doesn’t mean much to me. Makes it look lived in.
I clean the bags by blowing them out with canned air — out-of-doors is best. I carry a lot of stuff with me when I am on the road. More...

Gold Mining Ghost Town - More than 200,000 people a year visit Bodie, a genuine California gold-mining ghost town, where more than 170 buildings are protected in a state of "arrested decay" on more than 1,000 remote acres, administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The town of Bodie rose to prominence with the decline of mining along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Prospectors crossing the eastern slope in 1859 to search for gold, discovered what was to be the Comstock Lode at Virginia City and started a wild rush to the surrounding high desert country. More...

Rock Climbing: Sheer Fear - If you want to experience an outdoor sport which challenges both your mental and physical capabilities, rock climbing is it. I recently participated in a basic 2-day rock climbing class offered by Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School. I found it to be one of the most challenging adventures I have ever experienced. More...

Hiking and Climbing Trails - DesertUSA has a comprehensive list of hiking and climbing trails for all the southwestern states. Plan your spring trip by taking a look at all the places you might decide to explore. More...

Get the latest desert temperatures - Take a look at desert conditions, and plan a trip to see the wildflowers! More...