So, I’ve been dabbling with YouTube for a few months now, quietly documenting life in Borrego Springs, California. By “dabbling,” I mean posting videos that almost no one watches—and honestly, that’s okay. I’m not chasing numbers or algorithms. I didn’t start this expecting anything to come of it.
What I wanted was a creative outlet, something that gave me permission to play, experiment, and tell small stories about a place I’m learning to call home.
Hello, World.
For my latest video, I did something I’d been avoiding: I put myself in front of the camera. I’ll be upfront—I’m not very good at it. I say “um” more than I’d like. I’m painfully aware of my voice and how different it sounds recorded. And there were definitely moments during playback where I thought, Why did I think this was a good idea? If you watch the clip and feel a little secondhand cringe, I promise you’re not alone.
The production quality is also low; I’m dusting off some basic skills I learned during my TV news days (which was a lifetime ago).
Destination: Coyote Canyon
The video itself is simple. It captures a short Sunday drive up Coyote Canyon, just north of town and only a few minutes from our house.
That drive felt like the right setting for a first attempt at being seen. No pressure. No script. Just the canyon, the road, and me trying something new. Sometimes it’s enough to show up, to practice without worrying about perfection.
About Coyote Canyon
Coyote Canyon is one of those places that feels special the moment you turn onto the road. Located just north of Borrego Springs within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the canyon offers a scenic drive that gradually pulls you deeper into the desert landscape.
An unpaved road follows a sandy wash up into the canyon and while the first 5 miles are well-maintained, you’ll typically need a high-clearance vehicle to get across some of the deeper water crossings where a creek flows over the road. Currently, you won’t be able to drive beyond the 5-mile mark because it’s blocked by a gate. Flash flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 washed out large portions of the road and Coyote Creek shifted course, making it unsafe and impassable for vehicles. Park staff are working on rerouting and repairs, but there’s no set date yet for reopening to vehicle traffic.
The canyon features plants that are well-adapted to extreme heat, wind, and long dry spells. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll spot as you drive through the canyon:
What You’ll See in Coyote Canyon
Plant Life
The canyon features plants that are well-adapted to extreme heat, wind, and long dry spells. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll spot as you drive through the canyon:
Ocotillo
Tall, whip-like stems that look bare most of the year. After rain, they leaf out almost overnight and may produce bright red flowers. Ocotillo are one of the most striking and recognizable plants in the canyon.
Creosote Bush
Low, rounded shrubs that cover much of the open desert. After rainfall, they release that unmistakable “desert rain” scent. Creosote is one of the oldest and toughest plants in the region.
Desert Smoke Tree
Found in sandy washes and canyon bottoms where water occasionally flows. In spring, they produce soft, cloud-like purple blooms that appear to float above the branches.
Desert Willow
Often growing near seasonal water or washes. These small trees have narrow leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers, adding softness and shade to the canyon landscape.
Cholla
Including pencil cholla and other varieties adapted to rocky slopes and open flats. Their spiny silhouettes catch the light beautifully, especially in early morning or late afternoon.
Brittlebush & Seasonal Wildflowers
Brittlebush is common on hillsides, with silvery leaves and bright yellow flowers in spring. After good rains, wildflowers may briefly carpet parts of the canyon.
Wildlife
Coyote Canyon also supports a surprising amount of wildlife, especially because seasonal water flows through the wash after rains.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
One of the most iconic animals in Anza-Borrego. They’re often seen on rocky slopes or ridgelines above the canyon, blending perfectly into the stone. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best chances to spot them.
Coyotes
True to the canyon’s name, coyotes roam the area, usually alone or in pairs. You’re more likely to hear them (especially at dawn or dusk) than see them.
Birds of the Desert
Coyote Canyon is great for birdwatching, particularly near water:
- Verdins, wrens, and sparrows move quickly through shrubs
- Greater roadrunners dart across the road or through brush
- Red-tailed hawks and other raptors soar overhead
Reptiles
Warm days bring reptiles out to bask:
- Desert iguanas (pictured below)
- Chuckwallas
- Side-blotched lizards
- Western whiptails
You may also encounter desert tortoises, though sightings are rare and seasonal.
Other Occasional Wildlife Sightings
- Mule deer, especially near water after rains
- Foxes, primarily nocturnal
- Bobcats, very elusive but present
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