The California Aqueduct in the San Joaquin Valley

Managed by the Department of Water Resources, the California Aqueduct, winding through the San Joaquin Valley.

Mercey Hot Springs Area, CA

Mercey Hot Springs is an oasis in the middle of barren land.

Congress Created Dust Bowl, CA

Throughout the Central Valley, including the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, signs on farmland that has lost access to water.  See the story here.

Update on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 06:25PM by Karin Jeske

Here is a link to an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on this subject.

Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, CA is a large city in Kern County, on the south side of the San Joaquin Valley.  Much of the surrounding areas are dedicated to oil drilling and agriculture.

Wind Wolves Preserve, CA Wildflowers 2009

The Wind Wolves Preserve, is located on the north side of the Traverse Mountain Range, east of Maricopa.  It is the largest private preserve on the west coast, managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, with elevation ranges from 640 to 6005 feet, and is home to 200 Tule Elk.   Above:  a type of poppy I have not seen before.  Below: some of the wildflowers and landscapes taken yesterday during the late afternoon, when the light was changing dramatically because of fast-moving clouds.

 

 

San Joaquin Valley, CA

The San Joaquin Valley is a large expanse of land south of Sacramento and north of the Tehachapi Mountains that is mainly rural with farming and oil production.

Update on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 06:04PM by Karin Jeske

Farm workers.

Apricot trees in the fog.

Heavy fog is common in the San Joaquin Valley.