The Sentinel

I walked this trail often with my mother while she recovered from surgery. It was time together, a way for her to get her strength back, and chance for us both to enjoy the outdoors among the Joshua trees. Sometimes I would take my camera, other times I'd leave it home, but thankfully I had it with me this evening when the sky decided to open up into a full sweep of golden sun rays. All across the horizon beams of light came down from the cloud cover above. Naturally I very excitedly looked for ways to capture the moment. As we came around a corner I noticed a single raven keeping watch a top a lone Joshua. I must have thought at least a dozen times, probably even mumbled under my breath, 'don't fly away' as I inched forward to better frame the scene. Needless to say, he didn't, or at least not before I was able to click the shutter, and to that I am incredibly grateful. This scene (paired with sharing this moment with my mother) remains among the most meaningful to me.