My August 2026 Photo of the Month is LM1233, another typical monsoon-season image from the Laguna Mountains.
LM1233 Background
I struggle with Summer. It is my least favorite season. My day job is at its busiest. It is hot, of course. Then there is timing.
This was forecast to be a decent monsoon season, possibly due to the 2026–2027 El Niño (no, I refuse to call it super or anything of that sort). The monsoons have been okay so far, and perhaps September will be better.
One issue I run into with monsoons concerns the work week. I can get a drink around lunchtime, and look East to see some impressive clouds building, but I still have to work. Later in the afternoon, after the “day” is complete, I head out East and the clouds have already dissipated, or turbulent air has blown apart those impressive columns. Then I would find any open weekend days to be completely absent of cloud-building. A little luck is needed in photography.
Finally, I found a Monday where I could leave and enjoy some of the remaining clouds. Even on this day, I apparently missed something, as a person at the 3rd overlook told me then got hit with hail earlier in the afternoon. I maybe got a few raindrops on the windshield, so I missed out.
I was hesitant to pick this composition. There were other images, perhaps not framed with the same strength, that I considered. My thought here was that I had made Granite Mountain enough of a muse over the years that I felt this was a bit formulaic. But then again, due to a nice remaining cloud system, combined with its Northerly direction and sidelight, once again made for a great view.
Alas – I took a call from a friend at the overlook only to find I got nailed by a fire ant again. Luckily, it was only 1, but oh man it hurt for the rest of the evening. I may need to rename this one Fire Ant Overlook.
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the image.
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T.M. Schultze is a San Diego-based photographer, traveller, and writer. He writes, photographs, and draws things of the outdoors that have inspired humans for thousands of years. He co-authored the Photographer’s Guide to Joshua Tree Park which can be purchased here.
An excellent photograph! Sorry about the fire ant.