A rare Torrey Pine (pinus torreyana) grows in an exposed sandstone formation along the Guy Fleming Trail in La Jolla’s Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Despite this tree species being rare and endangered, it can find very small areas to grow in. Against the background of a partly cloudy sky, its position on this sandstone ridge beautifully stands out.
This black and white captures the late morning, when the area’s predominant marine layer (onshore flow) begins to burn off in the morning sun. This transition is often beautiful when hiking through the coastal areas of Southern California.