The mini tour at Joshua Tree is a much appreciated gift. And I could sense — just from the film that you shared — a sound of the wind breathing through the silent beauty …. I am elated.
I love ALL your photos. And I notice that I am used to finding a certain genre of beauty in them when I suddenly see this raw, natural, wild beauty through your lens. We are so lucky to have you.
Yes, they've suffered wildfires — but not on this level for over a thousand years. The Joshua trees are desert trees and there isn't much to burn around them so wildfires haven't been much of an issue in their habitat since centuries before the Spanish incursion in California.
Now, we're experiencing wildfires on a level that is, for all intents and purposes unprecedented and embers and ash are blowing much farther than they have in recorded history. There are two primary reasons for this. First, Climate Change (duh). The second is that the US and California Departments of Forestry have cut the Native Peoples out of forest and land management. We have fossils records that prove that the Natives in the Western States had been doing very effective Forest Management utilizing controlled burns and other methods going back to over 10.000 years — with a much lower incidence of catastrophic wildfire than we've experienced since we started a strategy of total fire suppression.
Wildfires are exacerbated by un-cleared (and un-burned) undergrowth and debris like fallen branches, etc which act as tinder and intensify wildfires to an extreme degree. Without controlled burns and other preventative forest management techniques, this problem snowballs.
...and, no, bringing over a bunch of Finns to rake the forest isn't the solution...
Patti - it is wonderful to see this place in your photos. It reminds me of Ayrs Rock in Australia, although the colours are totally different. Grey against orange. I have a friend who climbs mountains and sends me the most stunning photos from high up in the mountains. I would never see such wonders, otherwise. Thankyou for posting them.
OK, Ms. Smith, if you read the comments here. I'm a boomer who lost the ability to keep up with technology the day twitter introduced hashtags. Before that I was ahead of the track, now I'm way way way behind. I have a 3-year old phone w/internet capabilities and have not yet taken a photo. No you-tube video exists to aid me.
Why not do a quick entry here on how to produce a clip like yours. A very simple 1.2.3 step list. If not, I wish you well a very good day/night nevertheless.
We went to Joshua tree to walk and wander during the pandemic. It gave such a sense of ancient history and permanence and continuity in the face of the brevity of human life. I was also struck by the ever-present sound of the wind.
“I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence something throbs, and gleams...”
Your video made me think of this quote from The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry. ✨
Your words, the way you find something special in the simplest things, places, just makes me filled with gratitude for having a part of you in my life. 💕
It's very beautiful Patti. Some locations can really speak to individuals. Who knows why, but they do. Much love to you Patti
Your photos are great....I want to go there.
I found your video when I went to the sub stack app. not on your email.
It seems like I learn something every time I try something new on the computer or phone!
The mini tour at Joshua Tree is a much appreciated gift. And I could sense — just from the film that you shared — a sound of the wind breathing through the silent beauty …. I am elated.
Thank you never seems to say enough. C
I love ALL your photos. And I notice that I am used to finding a certain genre of beauty in them when I suddenly see this raw, natural, wild beauty through your lens. We are so lucky to have you.
The landscape is surreal.
Spirit
Calls in the desert’s sacred silence
Dust
Swirls up in the wind
A longing rises
So deep
so familiar
Our nomadic Soul
was born free
The tragedy is that the Joshua Trees are currently on fire and in danger of extinction because of climate change ignited wildfire...
C'mon, you really think they haven't always suffered wildfires?
Yes, they've suffered wildfires — but not on this level for over a thousand years. The Joshua trees are desert trees and there isn't much to burn around them so wildfires haven't been much of an issue in their habitat since centuries before the Spanish incursion in California.
Now, we're experiencing wildfires on a level that is, for all intents and purposes unprecedented and embers and ash are blowing much farther than they have in recorded history. There are two primary reasons for this. First, Climate Change (duh). The second is that the US and California Departments of Forestry have cut the Native Peoples out of forest and land management. We have fossils records that prove that the Natives in the Western States had been doing very effective Forest Management utilizing controlled burns and other methods going back to over 10.000 years — with a much lower incidence of catastrophic wildfire than we've experienced since we started a strategy of total fire suppression.
Wildfires are exacerbated by un-cleared (and un-burned) undergrowth and debris like fallen branches, etc which act as tinder and intensify wildfires to an extreme degree. Without controlled burns and other preventative forest management techniques, this problem snowballs.
...and, no, bringing over a bunch of Finns to rake the forest isn't the solution...
Just beautiful!
How inspiring!
Patti - it is wonderful to see this place in your photos. It reminds me of Ayrs Rock in Australia, although the colours are totally different. Grey against orange. I have a friend who climbs mountains and sends me the most stunning photos from high up in the mountains. I would never see such wonders, otherwise. Thankyou for posting them.
Absolutely beautiful. What a landscape, it looks other worldly, like a dream. Thank you Patti 🙏
OK, Ms. Smith, if you read the comments here. I'm a boomer who lost the ability to keep up with technology the day twitter introduced hashtags. Before that I was ahead of the track, now I'm way way way behind. I have a 3-year old phone w/internet capabilities and have not yet taken a photo. No you-tube video exists to aid me.
Why not do a quick entry here on how to produce a clip like yours. A very simple 1.2.3 step list. If not, I wish you well a very good day/night nevertheless.
We went to Joshua tree to walk and wander during the pandemic. It gave such a sense of ancient history and permanence and continuity in the face of the brevity of human life. I was also struck by the ever-present sound of the wind.
So beautiful... love the tree and the desert and you being part of this magic.... Mother Earth
“I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence something throbs, and gleams...”
Your video made me think of this quote from The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry. ✨
Your words, the way you find something special in the simplest things, places, just makes me filled with gratitude for having a part of you in my life. 💕