Returning for a trip from our adopted country of New Zealand, we took a road trip to see family and friends, which became a photography road trip. We detoured to take in the Joshua Tree National Park on a September afternoon where I found this particular tree. As a geriatric doctor fascinated with finding the joy and beauty in aging, this old Joshua tree fascinated me with its roughness, its weathered yet lovely persistence in harsh surroundings. The sharp points, the reptilian textures set against the gritty landscape were a study in survival, and the tree seemed to be dancing to celebrate.

Sony Alpha 7II, Sony G Master 85 mm f 1.4 lens shot at f16, 1/250th second, ISO 250