A Tough Place to Live

As this site is about photography and environmental awareness, the 'Home' page will feature what I hope is a compelling image to start your viewing experience.  

Yosemite and, in general, the Eastern Sierra is a place where there are a number of species of trees that, for the most part, aren't found elsewhere in the U. S.  Among them are the Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pine, the California Red Fir and, of course, the giant Sequoias, Redwoods, Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce.  Another one, and one which has become very visually attrative to me is the Western or Sierra Juniper, (Juniperus occidentalis).  It grows at elevations up to 10,000 ft and in soil that is frequently more rock than dirt.  At numerous locations, I have seen examples of hundred year old trees lthat are growing in what look to be decidedly uncooperative  locations; yet these trees endure and seem to thrive.  This image is of one such location, in Yosemite National Park on the east side of the park a short hike off of the Tioga Road.  The elevation is about 7,800 feet and the group of trees appear to be growing in solid boulder.  Part of what attracts me to the species is the ruggedness of the terrain, part is the asymetrical shape of the growth pattern, part is the red shaggy trunk.  On this group, although the image isn't very large, you can also see examples of Staghorn Lichen, (Letharia vulpina) the almost neon green colored lichen that attaches itself to many old growth trees in Yosemite.