The Noble Pinyon Pine

This morning I went in early to wander about and focus on Pinyon Pines, one of my favorite trees in Joshua Tree National Park. You start seeing them in quantity when you enter Hidden Valley, tucked high up in the rocks, a lone Pine at a point, or in clusters lower down near the trail. Each one seems to have it's own unique character. When I see one delineated against the sky amongst the shapely rocks, I'm reminded of Asian scroll paintings. Due to our changing climate, they are struggling more than ever to survive in our harsh but beautiful desert.