Desert Tortoise

Figure 1. Desert Tortoise, Joshua Tree National Park.

Spring is the busiest time in Joshua Tree National Park. The temperature is just right and the flowers bloom. It is also good time to go hiking.

I decided to hike Fortynine Palms Oasis, which I've hiked couple times. Brittlebush was the most impressive and in blossom on the slope. The round-trip is 3 miles with moderately grade. On my way back, I saw hikers gathering on the trail looking for something. I guess it might be a chuckwalla, which I've seen on this trail.

It turned out to be a desert tortoise, which immediately became the highlight of this hike. This animal is on my too see list, but it's very difficult to see because the desert tortoise stays in a burrow most of the time. They might come out for water after the rain, or try to find a mate in spring.

I usually carry telephoto lens while hiking. It paid off this time. The tortoise is not afraid of people, or perhaps it doesn't know what people are. With the right equipment, all I need to do is stay down and take as many shots as I can before it went away. It crossed the trail, and then disappeared in the bushes.