Photographing the Desert Flora and Fauna near Calexico, California
Calexico, CA is more than just a border town: it's a way to get to some of the United States' most beautiful deserts. Calexico is located in the vast Colorado Desert, which is home to many kinds of desert flora and fauna. Photographers will find plenty of chances to record the beauty of the desert in this area. Taking pictures of the plants, animals, and landscapes of the desert near Calexico can be fun and educational, no matter how skilled you are or how new you are to the hobby. We'll talk about the best places to take pictures in the desert, the animals and plants you might see, and how StaxUP Storage - Calexico can help you store and protect all of your camera gear.
Exploring the Yuha Desert
The Yuha Desert is a relatively untouched part of the Colorado Desert, just west of Calexico. People know it for its harsh scenery, ocotillo plants, and unique geological features. Photographers can get views of sand dunes, mudhills, and landscapes of blooming desert flowers.
The area has many types of desert plants that have survived well in this harsh climate. Keep an eye out for ocotillo, cholla, and creosote bushes, which flourish in this area. Many desert wildflowers bloom in the spring, especially after a rare rain. They add bright colors to the surrounding sand, mud, and dust. Yuha Desert is also home to many kinds of animals, such as the desert cottontail rabbit, the roadrunner, and the rare flat-tailed horned lizard. The best times to see these animals are early in the morning and late in the evening, when native animals emerge from their dens to find food. You might even glimpse a desert lizard if you are patient and keep your eyes open.
Algodones Dunes: A Photographer’s Dream
The Algodones Dunes, also called the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, is another great place to take pictures in the desert close to Calexico. With a length of over 40 miles, this huge sand dune field is one of the biggest in North America. The shifting sands make the scenery change all the time, which is why nature photographers love it.
The dunes don't have many plants, but that only adds to their stark beauty. You might find small patches of dune grass or the odd hardy plant struggling to stay alive in this harsh environment. This area is also home to many rare species of animal, such as the fringe-toed lizard, which has evolved to live in the sand. See if you can spot animal tracks over the sand for a unique photo opportunity!
Capturing the Beauty of Desert Wildflowers
At first glance, the desert may look empty, but when the wildflowers bloom, it comes to life with color. There are lots of flowers in the places around Calexico, especially after it rains in the winter or early spring. Wildflowers are what make the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (which is only a short drive from Calexico!) so popular.
You can take pictures of many kinds of wildflowers, like desert lilies, sand verbena, and evening primrose, depending on the time of year. You can take beautiful pictures when you set the bright flowers against the dry desert background. People who like macro photography will have many chances to catch the fine details of these hardy flowers. If you want to get the best pictures of wildflowers, go in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is not as harsh. This will help you stay away from strong shadows and too much light. Also, please be aware of the fragile environment and follow the marked trails instead of destroying flowers.
Photographing Desert Wildlife
It takes some luck and patience to take pictures of wildlife in the desert near Calexico. A lot of different animals live in the desert, but many of them are hard to find and only come out when it's cooler.
Some of the most common animals you'll see in the desert are birds. The desert is home to animals like the red-tailed hawk, the greater roadrunner, and the burrowing owl, which are often seen. There are also many reptiles, such as the lizards, snakes, and the rare chuckwalla. To get the best pictures of wildlife, use a zoom lens and stay far away so as not to bother the animals. Pay attention to your surroundings! Some animals in the desert, like rattlesnakes, can be dangerous if they feel threatened. Stay away from wild animals at all times and never try to feed or touch them.
Storing Your Photography Equipment with StaxUP Storage - Calexico
After a day of taking pictures of the plants and animals in the desert near Calexico, you'll want to make sure that your camera gear is safe. It can be rough in the desert for photography equipment – dust, sand, and very high and low temperatures can damage cameras, lenses, and other gear. StaxUP Storage - Calexico has storage units in a variety of sizes that are great for keeping your things safe.
Because our storage facility is conveniently located just west of downtown Calexico, you can quickly get to your gear when you're ready for another photography adventure. Our storage units range in size from 5' x 5' to 10' x 40', so you can store everything from small camera bags to bigger gear and extras. StaxUP Storage - Calexico also has parking spaces for ATV, sandrail, or motorcycle storage.
StaxUP Storage - Calexico is the best place to keep your camera gear safe from the harsh desert weather. You can focus on your photography knowing that your gear is safe and easy to get to because the units are secure, have climate control, and are in a handy place.
