A Hardscrabble Existence
Death Valley National Park, California
2021

A seed blown into a crack in the rock finds some protection from the harsh Death Valley climate and a little more moisture than is available elsewhere. So it sprouts, full of promise. But at some point it must emerge and fully expose itself to the elements. It’s only likely future is to live fast, die young and leave a good-looking corpse as they say. I appreciate its efforts.

Inanimate Longevity
Death Valley National Park, California
2021

In the extremely hot and arid environment of Death Valley, it can take a long time for even a small shrub to reach any substantial size. By the same token it takes years for anything of this size to decay in that environment. It makes me wonder which is longer the living life span or the time to significant decay after death.

The Unfruited Plain
Death Valley National Park, California
2021

There are few prospects for successful plant growth in the flat expanse between these ridges, but it does make for a starkly beautiful view.

Barren Squared
Death Valley National Park, California
2021

Dust laden skies almost entirely blot out the mountainous features in the background, adding and extra barren look to this already barren landscape.

Right Light
Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
2021

In the middle of the day this bush would have a hard time grabbing anyone’s attention, but in the light of the evening it certainly drew me in.

King Cloud
Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
2021

Dust At Dusk
Cathedral Gorge, Nevada
2021

Evening wind gusts blows a small ephemeral cloud of dust up a gully.

Tumbleweed Nest
Cathedral Gorge, Nevada
2021

The Man Who Wasn’t There
Tsegi, Arizona
2021

If you stare at this photo just right (squinting to get more of a silhouette helps) you (or at least I can) see a man with tussled hair facing to the left, his nose and slightly open mouth at the left border of the photo.

The Anti-Greeting
Tsegi, Arizona
2021

Welcome. Now please leave.