From the Atlas
Agricultural Landscapes
At a glance
- Collection
- Agricultural landscapes
- Coverage
- Coachella Valley & Salton Sea region
- Photographer
- Mark Miller
- First series
- October 23, 2026 · Flight from Thermal
- Gallery
- 4 photographs · Growing collection
A growing photographic collection of agricultural landscapes across the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea region and the surrounding desert. Fields, orchards, farm roads and distant mountains reveal the patterns of a working landscape—changing with the crop, the season and the light.
This single gallery brings those views together over time. Locations and capture dates belong with each photograph, allowing the collection to grow across different places without splitting it into separate galleries for every town.
A closer look at the working landscape
Wide views place fields in relation to roads, buildings and mountains. Tighter compositions reveal planting rows, field boundaries and the contrast between cultivated ground and adjoining bare soil. From above, these practical divisions become striking lines, shapes and textures.
October 23, 2026 · A flight from Thermal
The first four photographs were made by Mark Miller during a drone flight launched from Thermal, California. Thermal identifies the flight’s starting location; the wider views extend across the surrounding agricultural landscape.
- Landscape overview: fields, roads and distant mountains.
- Field geometry: green blocks divided by pale farm routes.
- Agricultural mosaic: cultivated areas beside open ground and nearby buildings.
- Field-edge detail: planting patterns and contrasting surfaces.
The images record the landscape as it appeared that day. Specific crops and farm names can be added when confirmed.
Fields and the birds around them
During the same day’s photography, Mark also photographed an American Kestrel perched on a wire and Turkey Vultures overhead. Their species pages hold those wildlife photographs, connecting the agricultural scenery with birds encountered on the outing.
One collection, many places and seasons
Future photographs from around the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea can join this gallery. Individual filenames and captions retain the location and date, while the collection stays together as a visual record of desert agriculture.
For the relationship between agriculture, designed landscapes and mountain scenery, explore Ladera Golf Club, photographed on the same date. For the broader natural setting, see the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Photography: Mark Miller. First series: October 23, 2026 · Drone launched from Thermal, California.