Cool Joshua Trees covering Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Yucca brevifolia is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. It is tree-like in habit, which is reflected in its common names: Joshua tree, yucca palm, tree yucca, and palm tree yucca. The name "Joshua tree" is commonly said to have been given by a group of Mormon settlers crossing the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century: The tree's role in guiding them through the desert combined with its unique shape reminded them of a biblical story in which Joshua keeps his hands reached out for an extended period of time to guide the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan.
Joshua Tree and Tabeau Peak
A beautiful Joshua Tree with Tabeau Peak in the background at Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in south western Utah.
Desert Flora on Tabeau Peak Ridge
Teig and I were hiking up Tabeau Peak above Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in southwest Utah and we came upon this beautiful view on a ridge off the trail. The flora here was so quaint with the views of the valley far below and the mountains in the distance that I was compelled to take a photograph.
Mormon Tea on Tabeau Peak Ridge
Teig and I were hiking up Tabeau Peak above Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in southwest Utah and we came upon this beautiful view on a ridge off the trail. mormon Tea can be found all over the desert southwest and is one of my favorite desert plants. to have this small specimen on a ridge above the desert floor seemed to be perfect composition for a photograph.
A Forest of Joshua Trees
This beautiful place is the only spot where you'll find Joshua trees in Utah, and it's also the farthest north point in the U.S. to find tree yuccas. The Joshua Tree Natural Area covers 1,052 acres of federally-protected land. It was designated in 1966. The scenery is downright stunning with the desert foliage right in front of you, and the vast land stretching toward the mountains in the distance, you'll feel like you've found your own remote piece of heaven.
Desert Mountains and Joshua Trees
The desert southwest is a beautiful location to saunter and explore in the winter. It very rarely snows and it is mostly t-shirt and shorts weather this time of year. This landscape photo was created in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in Utah and the contrast of the Joshua Trees and barren mountains helps with composing desert landscape compositions. It is hard to get a bad landscape photo here in the winter.
Joshua Tree beneath Rugged Mountain Range
The beauty of a Joshua Tree on the desert floor underneath the rugged Mountains in Southwestern Utah.
Mountain Range in the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area
A panoramic view of the desert mountains from the Woodbury Desert Study Area in southwestern Utah. The study area lies within both the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. The range is high in elevation above the Mojave desert below.
Joshua Trees in the American Desert
In the southwestern corner of Utah is a not very well known forest of Joshua Trees. The Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark is the location of this forest and stretches out for miles. Sauntering in this valley you can see how special this area is with the plethora of trees that cover the basin between the desert mountains. Each of these trees is a work of art and this photographer found a multitude of compositions worthy of documentation through photography.
Joshua Tree in Utah Basin
Numerous interesting Joshua trees can be found while exploring the desert basin in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. This unique location in southwestern Utah is a gem for photographers and adventures wanting to capture some of the American desert experience. It is awesome to be here in the winter months when the normal high temperatures hover around 70 degrees fahrenheit.
Lone Joshua Tree in Utah Desert
Late morning view in south-western Utah's Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Joshua trees range from here to the Mojave desert in southern California. It is fun to be able to saunter around this beautiful area in late December.
Lone Winter Leaf
There was still some color on leaves when winter came to the High Line Canal Trail in Englewood Colorado a suburb of Denver. It is fun to find little gems like this lone leaf while sauntering a heavily used urban trail. Sometimes you just have to stop and enjoy the light.
Natural Fireworks Above Green
Flowers blooming above a sea of green. I just love natures color.
Seaweed on Mangrove Roots at Low Tide
Relaxing on Tiger Key beach, I watched the tide move down he beach and expose the mangrove roots, shells and remnant seaweed. I enjoyed the calm afternoon sun in the shade of the trees as the salty breeze kept the sand fleas away.
Beauty of a Crashing Wave
I sat on Tiger Key Beach and watched the evening waves crash into the sand and this stump. I was fascinated by the water drops shooting up from the waves as it hit the immovable object. The sound of the waves and the sight of the crash was so cool. Having lived my whole life in the desert southwest, I am seduced by the ocean and sauntering on the gulf coast.
Tranquil on the Beach
It was relaxing exploring Tiger Key in Everglades National Park. We spent several nights camping on the key during our kayak trip into Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands. I was heartened by many sights like the one captured here. It was wonderful to sit in the soft sand and daydream about the many different people who visited this key and saw sights similar to mine and may have felt their souls soothed as I did.
Gold in the Forest Understory
It is very rewarding finding small treasures while hiking next to Saint Louis Creek in the Vasquez Mountain Wilderness. I love getting photos of grand vistas and majestic landscapes but sometimes it’s the gold along the trail that can be uber special. The colors in the Colorado Rockies during autumn are special and it is no different in the mountains near Winter Park.