The countdown continues. A few days ago I posted spots 13 through 7 of my favorite 2019 photography destinations. This week, I list the best ones of all, the destinations that rated 1 through 6 of my personal best.
6) Joshua Tree National Park
Superbloom. Joshua Tree had one this past spring. Need I say more? This coming spring should be fairly good, too. It’s been raining and snowing with more rain and snow in the forecast. Even if the flowers aren’t as spectacular as they were last spring, Joshua Tree is still a great place to visit. It is also home to some very cool rocks. One of these days I plan to spend more time in the rocks – when I’m not so distracted by the flowers.
5) Anza Borrego State Park
Anza Borrego also had an excellent wildflower season. It was definitely one of my favorite 2019 photography destinations, as I got to visit not once, not twice, but three times! I saw different plants blooming each time. I even saw my favorite campsite in the park in bloom, something I’ve never been lucky enough to catch before.
4) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
It’s all about the birds. And the peace. And the serenity.
Each winter vast numbers of sandhill cranes and snow geese descend upon the refuge for the winter. There are lots of other birds and wildlife, too.
It’s a great place to polish your craft. It has become one of my new favorite places.
3) San Simeon
Since I had a couple of different housesits on the central California Coast, Piedras Blancas and San Simeon became one of my favorite 2019 photography destinations. I spent a lot of time camping at San Simeon; before, in between and after my housesits.
Down on the beach right below the campground, there is a bird sanctuary. I took advantage of the wonderful opportunities for checking out the shorebirds there. And then there’s Cambria, just a few miles south. I love that little town, and I especially love Moonstone Beach, with all the pretty pebbles.
I’d been to San Simeon before and loved it, but never at the prime time for the elephant seal action. January and February are when the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, just a few miles up the coast, are birthing, fighting, and mating. It’s a true wildlife extravaganza!
2) Carrizo Plains National Monument
This is definitely one of my new favorite places. Most of the year you’d never give it a second glance. But when the flowers bloom in the springtime, this land is amazing. Possibly the best wildflower display I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying something. The most incredible thing, though, is the fragrance. In some places, the blend of different floral scents is pure nirvana. Take lots of deep breaths. The huge swaths of color, whole hillsides dyed pink, purple or yellow from acres upon acres of blooms can be pretty dang impressive, too.
1) Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
There’s no place like home. Especially when your home is possibly the most spectacular place in North America! When I look at the view I get right from my front porch, it’s a wonder I ever leave the place!
I hope you enjoyed checking out my favorite photographic destinations for 2019. 2020 will bring a host of new experiences. Some of my favorites will remain the same, but I’m sure I’ll find a treasure trove of new favorites, too. Where do you plan to go in 2020? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for the year of armchair travels. Going through the Grand canyon in April.
WooHoo! How exciting! The cactus flowers should be off the wall then, too!
Beautiful pics. I so wish I had the free time to do as much petsitting as you do. In 2020 I’m heading to Sedona in spring and Barcelona/Costa Brava/Andorra/French Pyrenees in summer. Then home to binge on the Olympics!
Thank you, I’m so glad you like them! Ooh, Sedona in the spring! That should be amazing! Looks like you will make up in quality what you feel you’re missing in quantity!