The Sagebrush Ocean

This captivating work explores the Great Basin Desert's ecology and beauty through Stephen Trimble's personal experiences and stunning photography in The Sagebrush Ocean.

In The Sagebrush Ocean, noted writer and photographer Stephen Trimble eloquently blends his personal experiences with insightful explanations of natural history. His stunning photographs reveal some of the most breathtaking yet lesser-known landscapes found in the western United States. Covering the vast expanse of the Great Basin Desert, Trimble takes readers on a journey from the Sierra Nevada to the Rockies, and across the Snake River Plain to the Mojave Desert.

Trimble's work can be encapsulated by the term 'biogeography,' as he delves into the intricate relationships between the land and its inhabitants. He introduces readers to the concepts of desert ecology, highlighting the diverse communities of flora and fauna that thrive in the Great Basin's mountainous regions. From the stark beauty of dry lakebeds to the lush alpine zones at the peaks of the towering Basin ranges, Trimble paints a vivid picture of this unique ecosystem.

This book serves as an exceptional introduction to the ecology and spirit of the Great Basin, a place where the vast desert landscape seems to reflect the expansive sky. Within these mountains lie ravens, bristlecone pines, and the serene stillness of winter, all while hinting at the presence of elusive bighorn sheep. Through months of exploration and hiking, Trimble's photographs and words convey a rare intimacy with this rugged wilderness.