Explorations of the Wild and the Human Spirit

Journey into a collection of essays, reflections, and field observations that seek to uncover the deeper truths hidden within the desert and ourselves.

These writings weave together natural history, survival wisdom, philosophy, and personal experience — offering a window into The Way of Things.

Optics – Lecture 5

I share with you some simple strategies to use in the field.  I also demonstrate the use of binoculars and spotting scopes together as a system to further your understanding of the environment.

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The Desert At Night

This lecture discusses the importance of learning the desert at night.  Half of all activity that occurs in the desert environment happens at night.  To truly understand what is happening during the daytime, one must also understand the night.

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Holes In The Desert

This subject is one that tends to be neglected and yet is very important.  Holes in the desert are so important that they could possibly be a scientific discipline all on their own.  A large portion of the animal life in the desert can only live where they can make

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The Night Sky

In this lecture I discuss why learning the night sky can assist one in acquiring information usable while out in the field.  

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Sky Islands

I present to you a phenomenon that happens throughout the world and how it affects the ecosystems of the desert southwest.  A sky island is essentially a mountain large enough to have more than one ecosystem on it. 

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Wind Advanced

We follow the wind as it winds through the environment on a small hill in the Mojave Desert and learn first hand its effects and inner reactions with life.

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