cottonwood (again)

On the way down to Sycamore Spring again, take the Iron Springs detour through Skull Valley and wait for a freight train at the grade crossing there. Find the old cottonwood tree that I photographed in 1985 or so with the 4×5 Graflex during an outing to the area. Since then, one huge branch, 4 feet in a diameter, has fallen off. A raven circles above, agitated at the incursion into its place. The dry desert wind moves the natal leaves, later in the season the leaves will make a deep rushing sound in the wind.