The Desert Institute Fall Field Class schedule

Fall 2009 Field Class Schedule

The classes take place in Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area. The scenery is inspirational, the autumn weather beautiful and mild. To register click here.

September 19 - Discover the Milky Way
20 - Summer Annual Wildflower Wanderings - NEW!
25 - 27 - Insects & Other Arthropods of the Morongo Basin-NEW!
26 - Night Sky Photography

October 3 & 10 - Native American Style Pottery
4 - Desert Snakes: Fang, Rattle, and More
17 & 18 - Biological Soil Crusts of Joshua Tree National Park
18 - Bighorn Sheep of Joshua Tree National Park - NEW!
24 & 25 - Native American Basket Weaving
24 & 25 - Archaeology of Joshua Tree National Park
31 - Geology of Rattlesnake Canyon
31 & November 1 - Edible Plants of the Desert

November 1 - Native Californian Pigments & Paints

6 & 7 - Photographing the Joshua Tree Landscape
7 - Watercolor Painting in the Park
8 - Drawing the Desert with Pencil and Brush - NEW!
8 - Mystery of the Wonderland of Rocks
14 & 15 - Geology: Creation of the Joshua Tree Landscape
14 - Collage Monotypes in Joshua Tree National Park
20 & 21 - Basic Map & Compass
21 - Explore the Eagle Mountains
21 & 22 - Geology and Paleontology of the Pinto Basin
22 - Advanced Map & Compass

December 5 - Geology of the San Andreas Fault
5 - Basic Desert Survival
6 - Advanced Desert Survival - NEW!
6 - Journey to Cary’s Castle

Joshua Tree National Park--whale rock

(Joshua Tree National Park, 2000)

The amazing rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park always inspire me, and conjure images of all sorts of things. This one reminded me of a breeching whale.

Mendes Ranch--horsebackriding in Maui

(Maui, June 2009)

Maui flowers

random Maui shot--flower with gecko

(Maui 2009)

When I snapped this photo of a beautiful flower at Wailea Beach I didn't notice the gecko.

sunrise at Haleakala

Haleakala ("House of the Sun") volcano, Maui, June 2009

We arose at 3:30 in the morning and drove for an hour and a half up the slope of the volcano, arriving at 5:15 a.m. At an elevation of 10,00 feet, the sky was already light. At 5:45 the sun rose over the clouds. A group of local Hawaiians chanted in the day as we stood in awe and watched. An amazing sight!

shadows on Haleakala

(Haleakala volcano, Maui, June, 2009)

These photos were taken at 6:30 a.m. after viewing the sunrise. Shadows are long at 10,000 feet. The bottom photo was taken 15 minutes after the middle one. You can already see the difference.