You have to love all the weirdness that calls this country’s desert landscapes “home,” and Joshua trees are no exception. I recently took a little trip out to Joshua Tree National Park, where I hadn’t been since 2017. Here in Southern California, it’s easy to forget this wonderland is just a couple hours away.

Someday in the future, however, this area may look quite different. The habitat where Joshua trees live is shrinking and shifting. Wildfires, invasive grasses and poor migration patterns for the trees’ seeds all contribute to the species’ imperilment. In fact, one of the densest Joshua tree populations in the world in Mojave National Preserve was reduced by 1/4 (more than 1.3 million Joshua trees) in the Dome Fire in August 2020. Also, it is believed that the long-extinct giant Shasta ground sloth might have been key to the trees' dispersal, making it difficult for them to shift their habitat to new, more favorable locations.

As I cruised the park with my pup as copilot, this scene caught my eye, the beautiful bare bones of a Joshua tree resting in front of another tree whose crown had also toppled. It seemed a poignant analogy for the uncertain future that exists for this desert character. There is hope, though – always hope – as I also have a belief in nature’s own creativity and ability to adapt.

This original watercolor painting measures 16x12”. It comes in a white mat and custom brushed gold frame that bring the overall size of the piece to approximately 22.5x18.5”. The painting was created using watercolor paint on acid free, cold press 300 lb. Arches watercolor paper and ships free.

Colors of artwork may be slightly different than what you see on your monitor screen. Artist signature, year of creation, and artwork title are included on back of work. Copyrights remain with artist.