When I first visited Death Valley National Park in December of 2019, during my workshop with Lynn Radeka (who was fortunate enough to meet Ansel Adams when he was younger), I mostly took black and white film. I did, however, think enough to bring some sheets of color film—specifically, Kodak Ektar 100. That film served me well along the 4-wheel drive road to Cottonwood Canyon, where I spied this creosote stump. As is usually the case, the color negative film rendered a display of astonishing colors. December is probably one of the best times to go to Death Valley—trying to get such a shot would be virtually impossible in the height of summer, where temperatures can soar to nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit. I was always aware, too, that this was the place where several of my photographic heroes—especially Edward Weston—photographed during their height. I have to thank Ron Gaut, who was co-leader on the workshop, for helping with this image, cropping and correcting the colors in Photoshop. Like other shots I got that trip, this one was one that was mailed to people who’d donated money for me to attend.