An Afternoon on Lake Mohave: Capturing the Essence of Southwest Wilderness

The morning light crept over the Black Mountain foothills, casting long shadows across our ranch-style home. At my age, there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of a day on the water, especially when Lake Mohave beckons with its gin-clear waters and hidden coves waiting to be explored. Paulette and I have been making this journey for years, but each trip feels like a new adventure, a chance to witness the raw beauty of the Southwest that has been my lifelong companion.

Our trusty Key West center console boat sits ready, a faithful vessel that has become an extension of our love for this landscape. The thermometer reads a comfortable 75 degrees – perfect conditions for a day of exploration and photography. As we load our gear, I double-check my Insta360 Ace Pro action camera and the tried-and-true Lumix FZ80 super zoom. These tools have become my paintbrushes, capturing the subtle stories of Lake Mohave that most people never see.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area unfolds before us like a living canvas. Lake Mohave, a slender jewel carved by the Colorado River, stretches out between the rugged mountains of Arizona and Nevada. Created by the Davis Dam, this reservoir is more than just a body of water – it’s a testament to human engineering and nature’s resilience.

As we navigate away from Katherine Landing Marina, the water becomes impossibly smooth. On days like this, the lake surface transforms into a sheet of glass, reflecting the sky like a perfect mirror. Thin cirrus clouds and delicate jet trails streak across the azure backdrop, adding wispy brushstrokes to nature’s masterpiece.

Our first stop is a secluded cove, tucked away from the main lake. The stillness is punctuated only by the gentle lapping of water against the boat’s hull. Here, life flourishes in the shallow margins. Carp prowl the underwater landscape, their bronze scales catching glimpses of sunlight as they move with surprising grace. I steady my Insta360, capturing their fluid movements – a dance that has remained unchanged for countless generations.

The shoreline comes alive with birdlife. A solitary Mallard duck glides across the water’s surface, it’s green heads iridescent in the afternoon light. Nearby, Coots bob and weave, their dark plumage a stark contrast to the crystal-clear water. Paulette points out a pair of Mallards, their synchronized movement telling a story of partnership that resonates deeply with us.

Spirit Mountain looms in the distance, a sentinel watching over this landscape. Its rocky silhouette speaks of geological time – millions of years of wind, water, and geological forces that have shaped this remarkable region. I’ve photographed this mountain countless times, yet it never fails to inspire. Each image captures a moment, but the mountain remains unchanged, a constant in a world of perpetual motion.

As a ranch-raised man, I’ve learned to read landscapes like most people read books. Every ripple, every shadow tells a story. The slight variations in the water’s surface – mostly glass-like, with occasional gentle ripples – speak of wind patterns, underwater currents, the subtle breath of the desert.

Outdoor photography has been my way of preserving these moments, of sharing the Southwest’s hidden beauty. The Lumix FZ80 allows me to capture details that would otherwise go unnoticed – the intricate feather patterns of a duck, the subtle gradient of light on water, the ancient geological formations that frame our journey.

By late afternoon, we’re tracing our way back to Katherine Landing. Paulette, as always, is a master at backing the trailer down the ramp with our black Jeep Cherokee. I guide the boat onto the trailer, a well-practiced dance we’ve performed countless times. The boat rises from the water, droplets cascading off its hull – a final farewell to another day on Lake Mohave.

The drive back to our home in the Black Mountain foothills is quiet, reflective. From our property, we can see the thin sliver of Lake Mohave six miles below, a blue ribbon cutting through the desert landscape. Each photograph, each video clip is more than just a captured moment – it’s a story, a piece of this magnificent ecosystem preserved for future generations to appreciate.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, I transfer the day’s images to my computer. Each frame is a window into the Southwest’s soul – a region that has defined my life, my perspective, my very understanding of the natural world.

Lake Mohave is more than a destination. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem. It’s a testament to the delicate balance between human innovation and natural beauty. It’s a reminder that some of the most profound stories are written not in words, but in water, stone, and light.

About Lake Mohave

Located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave is a reservoir created by the Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Stretching approximately 67 miles long, it offers a unique ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife and provides recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.

Keywords: Lake Mohave, Southwest Photography, Colorado River, Wildlife Photography, Outdoor Adventure

About the Author spent his early years working his family’s cattle ranch in Kansas before pursuing a career in wildlife photography. Now retired, he dedicates his time to documenting the wilderness and wildlife of the American Southwest, with a particular focus on the wild burro populations of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. His work has been featured in New Mexico Outdoor Sports Guide blog and hundreds of NMOSG YouTube video publications.