Desert life comes ready with its protective mechanisms, like the top of this cactus in Joshua Tree National Park which we named No. 2 (see the sharpened pencil shapes?). We had been in the area for a concert and figured a morning hike could invigorate the soul before the day’s oppressive heat set in. Walking around places like this feels a bit like fish in a barrel—there’s so much just begging to be photographed. Overwhelmed a bit with the possibilities, I slowed my stroll and started looking deeper and longer at the scene’s inhabitants. Before long, I spied this beauty and carefully…very carefully…got close with a wide-angle lens to capture the essence of its dichotomy.

Even the overtly prickly can shine with immense beauty. Maybe this is true for people too.

Find this and more from Joshua Tree National Park.