Weathered Sentinel of the High Desert

A weathered tree twists across the rugged New Mexico landscape, its bare branches reaching into a heavy, overcast sky. Surrounded by dry grasses, volcanic rock, and hardy desert vegetation, the tree stands as a stark reminder of the resilience required to endure the high desert. Muted afternoon light brings out the earthy textures and subdued colors of this quiet Southwestern scene.
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Photographer James Engel

Date & Time Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at 5:30 PM America/Denver

Focal Length 65mm

Shutter Speed 1/125 sec

Aperture ƒ/11

ISO 250

Location North America, The United States of America, New Mexico, El Malpais National Monument, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead Area

Keywords Desert Landscape, Landscapes & Nature, Mountain Landscape, National Park

Camera Nikon D850

Lens NIKON 24-85mm F3.5-4.5G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Lens

Approximate Map Location

Latitude: 34.955257
Longitude: -107.942543
Altitude: 2,090.0 meters / 6,857.0 feet