Lost in the Fog
Navajo Nation
An old Colorado Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) stands alone in an open field on the Navajo Nation. An early spring snowstorm blankets the landscape and leaves behind an icy fog that shrouds the tree. Pinyon pines can live up to 800 years. During times of stress or drought, the pinyon pine will let entire branches die off to ensure the survival of the whole tree; this tree has only a handful of living branch systems and has likely been through a number of periods of hard times. Photo © copyright by Chris Eaton.