The Black And White Joshua Tree With The Moon Overhead

My blog friend Su-siee! Mac is always posting clever and interesting photographs on her blog, and I am mesmerized by her black and white photo entries. Tonight she inspired me participate in the The Weekend in Black and White , so this post is a monochromatic image of a Joshua tree with the moon overhead. I went to Joshua tree on a Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, but this is the perfect weekend road trip for people living in Southern California. There is just something serene about gazing at Joshua trees, which are surrounded by large boulders. Put away the cell phone when you get out there, and just spend some time enjoying nature.

A black and white photograph of a Joshua tree with the moon overhead.
A black and white photograph of a Joshua tree with the moon overhead.

The Joshua Trees Continue

In this post the Joshua trees continue because I like to break of photo posts like this.

The two branches on the Joshua tree look like twins.
The two branches on the Joshua tree look like twins.
Some of the brush is dry surrounding the Joshua trees.
Some of the brush is dry surrounding the Joshua trees.
This tall and stately Joshua tree was my favorite capture during the entire trip.
This tall and stately Joshua tree was my favorite capture during the entire trip.
Joshua trees are still in the sunlight.
Joshua trees are still in the sunlight, but the shadow of evening is encroaching.
A cluster of boulders among the Joshua trees.
A cluster of boulders among the Joshua trees.
The boulders are oval shape, and stand up vertically among the Joshua trees.
The boulders are oval shape, and stand up vertically among the Joshua trees.
Small Joshua tree growing at the base of boulder laden hill.
Small Joshua tree growing at the base of boulder laden hill.
Another photo of the magnificent monzogranite boulders.
Another photo of the magnificent monzogranite boulders.

The Road Leading Up To Joshua Tree

The road to Joshua Tree in the late afternoon.
The road to Joshua Tree National Park in the late afternoon.
Coming up on a Joshua tree on the left hand side of the road.
Coming up on a Joshua tree on the left hand side of the road.
Passing the Joshua tree.
Passing the Joshua tree.
Sometimes the view from the car window can be blurry.
Sometimes the view from the car window can be blurry.
However, the rocks on the hills are still alluring.
However, the rocks on the hills are still alluring.
I felt a sense of excitement as we approached the place we were going to for a short hike.
I felt a sense of excitement as we approached the place we were going to for a short hike.

We only spend about an hour and a half at Joshua Tree, but for a Southern California day trip, I think that is sufficient. Many people do camp in the park, and there are many different ecosystems within it to explore.

The Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus

Even though Joshua Tree National Park is named after the trees reminiscent of Joshua pointing his arms to the heavens, there are other types of plants to see.

A cholla cactus.
A teddy bear cactus in the late afternoon at Joshua Tree.

The spines on the teddy bear cholla cactus look similar to the hair on a teddy bear, except the former is poky. Do not pet the cacti!

The teddy bear cholla cactus can range between one to five feet in height.
The teddy bear cholla cactus can range between one to five feet in height.
The bottom part of the teddy bear cholla cactus.
The bottom part of the teddy bear cholla cactus.
The Latin name of the teddy bear cholla cactus is Cylindropuntia bigelovii
The Latin name of the teddy bear cholla cactus is Cylindropuntia bigelovii

The videos illustrates what the teddy bear cholla cactus looks like in the late afternoon.