23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
Cholla Cacti Garden In Joshua Tree Reflected and Seen
A framed mirror sits on an easel in a sun-bleached desert filled with cholla cacti. The mirror reflects a single cactus rising into a deep blue sky with soft white clouds, perfectly aligned with the actual cactus standing just behind it. The visual creates the illusion of a hyperreal painting, as if the cactus has been plucked from its environment and placed inside the frame. The surrounding landscape stretches out toward distant mountains, reinforcing the contrast between the wild, open desert and the contained, curated reflection. The image captures a fleeting moment where nature becomes its own artwork.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 09.2023 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Joshua Tree, California, United States of America |
| Copyright: | © Lenny Gerard |