Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Joshua Tree National Park was declared a U.S. National Park in 1994 when the U.S. Congress passed the California Desert Protection Act. It had been a U.S. National Monument since 1936. In addition to Joshua Tree forests, the western part of the park includes some of the most important geologic displays found in California's deserts. Joshua Tree's sky darkness ranges from a green to a blue (3-4) rating on the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale and it is a popular site for astronomy and astrophotography. Due to high daytime temperatures and the lack of water, the park’s wildlife is mostly nocturnal, including snakes, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, coyotes and jackrabbits.
Joshua trees are actually Yuccas, members of the asparagus family and close relatives of Agave. They are spiny, tree-like plants that are native to the Mojave Desert. According to local lore, early Mormon settlers saw the silhouette of the Prophet Joshua in the trees’ outstretched branches. Unfortunately, warming climates, and increasing drought are predicted to make much of the Mojave desert unsuitable for Joshua Trees.
Places That I Love
For the vast majority of my career, my own photography was an afterthought. Very soon after I started working professionally as a photojournalist, I became a full-time academic and for more than 40 years, my students came first. We traveled the world together, but my role was that of an editor and mentor, not a photographer. Rarely would I have time for my own work. Of course, that was of my choosing and it was a gift, not a burden.
Toward the end of my career, my teaching and advising focus shifted from undergraduate to graduate students, who were allowed to travel without a faculty escort. This allowed me time for some personal projects and assignments, and time to travel with family and friends, something I still do today.
This gallery has no thematic or geographic parameters, it’s just a grouping of photographs from places that I love, places that evoke special memories or moments that I enjoyed experiencing.
