Awesome shot.

I can't see your exif data, but the grain can be caused by too high an ISO setting.

Ah, probably because I uploaded a screen shot of the photo because Photoshop's colors are always funny. How can I find the exif data and I will post it!

If you check the original image's properties, you should be able to locate it.

That freeloader caterpillar ate that whole plant on his own.
Or rather manufactured it into many small bundles...

Uhm, yes, on your digital camera, there SHOULD be a menu setting for the asa speed of the camera. it is probably set to something like.. 400 or 800 or higher. be sure it's either set to the lowest value you can set it to for the best color saturation, or make sure it's set to automatic and let the camera choose for you. High film speed = high graininess. not SHUTTER speed, film speed!! Just to be sure you don't think I'm confused. :)

It was set to 400, thank you. I jogged it down to 50.

The thing should also have an 'auto' mode, where it tweaks the ASA setting up or down depending on light levels.

Personally I found this setting completely useless and disabled it, only to miss many photographic opportunities (usually Mischa) while trying to change it in a hurry. Eventually I gave the camera to my aunt, and tried to develop a photographic memory. *wag*

oh, duh, queue already got it, never mind. I shoudla read first.

Gah. George RR Martin. ;-; It follows me everywhere *REFUSES TO GIVE IN*

The graininess of your pic is most likely due to a higher than needed iso. On a day like the one in your picture an iso of 200 should be fine.

Hahah, swear to god, the southwest just really doesn't change much as you go through it. Those sphinx moths are the bane of desert roads here in New Mexico when they hit. Do they ever hit. And the cars hit them, of course. It's like fried caterpillar pudding at the end of every day.

This is definitely an impressive shot, I'm curious how you got everything into frame. And what sort of camera are you using? If it's digital and you hate the graininess, yet you don't want to spend more money, I picked mine up for $90 over a year ago and I'm sure it's cheaper now. It's no DSLR but I love it. It takes pictures like this and this, or this and this.

Or, hell with it, splurge on a DSLR (damn, that sounds sort of raunchy), good shots like this demand it.

This camera was a free hand me down, so no complaints here. I have seen it take good shots sometimes and other times, not so good, and I didn't know why! I think I do now. :3 I am still learning how to use it.

It's a Canon Powershot S2 IS. I dug into the sand so the camera was below ground level and took a few shots while laying on the ground.. I could barely see what I was doing because it was so bright and I wasn't sure if they were coming out at all.

One day when I know more about cameras I will go for an older DSLR. :D

That should be a good camera. I have the S5 IS and it takes quite a good picture. I'm a stickler for perfection, though, so I can notice grain if I zoom way in. Setting your ISO down to 50 should do the trick. With light that good from being outside on a sunny day your ISO can be at the lowest setting for the best clarity. Grain aside, this is still a good picture!

Oh my god, blind shots are the best. Most of my best shots are blind shots. They hold a sort of magic, and for some reason the compositions come out really well. Must have something to do with the subconscious and luck.

And I personally think grain can be good. It has a sort of lomo charm to it.

yes, to high an ISO is likely the reason, the more light the lower your ISO can go, don't know what you're camera is or how competent you are with it so please don't take offense if I'm telling you something you already know, but there should be a way to manually set you camera ISO, and or you may be occasionally covering up the sensor that automatically adjust your ISO if it's set to auto which would explain it happening randomly, hope that helps.

Arn't those dunes along the road to Anzo Borrego something? Gezz... It's been at least 20 years now since I was at Anzo Borrego State Park.

Say, did you know that's the largest California State Park in the park system?

Yes they are! And yes, I did know that, only because there was much discussion about the park on the drive out to it. :D

Just for context, exactly HOW big is that caterpillar?

About 4 inches long.

Holy crap. I'd love to see the butterfly that came out o' that.

... I wonder if the caterpillars are good to eat. :)

This moth does! http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallp.....MothFlying.jpg

And Native Americans used to eat them.

Probably answered already but it's grainy cause of your ISO setting is high.
Lower the ISO the slower the shutter speed but the less grain
Vice-versa