Desert rock formation, tilted tree, sunset

Rigid rock, tilted tree

Amid the stark, windswept beauty of Joshua Tree National Park, a twisting juniper and a teardrop-shaped boulder make a striking duo. Junipers are hardy evergreens that thrive in arid climates, often living for hundreds of years. Their berries (actually seed cones rather than true berries) are a food source for birds and mammals, and their knotty trunks tell stories of survival in harsh desert conditions. An even more ancient tale is told by Joshua Tree's geology, which includes monzogranite formations sculpted by wind and water over millions of years.