Heading South

In mid-February, heading south, the scenery changes around each bend-- of which there are not many. Often the snow is right along the highway but the pavement clear.


Residents groan that they are due for more snow the next day. This has been a year of more snow than I remember seeing along this route; and although I have never lived here, I've been through many times and in many seasons.

Some don't see the beauty in craggy hills, eroded slopes, barren landscapes. For me, I love the starkness of a desert, the lines, the emotional impact of rawboned ridges, the stories hidden above, and below ground. To see it with snow outlining all of the eroded lines, was a real treat.

Not many people live in this part of these two states. Some might call this a no man's land. It is a harsh country but it does have its residents.

two coyotes on a hopeful hunt


part of a herd of 10 or 12 mule deer in the sage and juniper


bald eagle in a lone tree

All photos from February 21st, along highways 395 or 95 heading south from Alturas, California to Tonopah, Nevada-- some from the moving car with a telephoto (I wasn't driving).