Teddy Bear Cholla

Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley.

One of the “must see” spots in Joshua Tree National Park is the Cholla Cactus Garden.  Walking through the garden is quite exhilarating. Known as The Teddy Bear Cactus, these cute and fluffy looking cacti are all over.  From a distance the garden looks like a soft bed you could lay on.  I would highly recommend you do not do this.  As you walk through and get up close and personal with these cacti, you realize how spikey they really are.  If it is windy, these plants will attack and you may end up with a prickly souvenir.

This garden is amazing anytime of day, but the best time to visit and photograph is sunrise.  This meant I was up early for this photo. I was staying nearly an hour away from the garden. Arriving before dawn meant a very early alarm.  Was it worth it? 100% YES.  Watching the sunrise is one of my favorite things to do. Watching it rise and light up this garden of cacti left me speechless.  My only regret from this experience was that I did not move around.  I loved the composition I have in this photo so much that I forgot to move.  I just kept shooting as the scene opened up in front of me.

If you happen to get to the Cholla Cactus Garden for sunrise, please remember a few things.  First, watch where you step. Second, move around to capture more than one great image.  

 
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California