Cottonwood Grove, Central Utah

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A stormy sky and icy wind were among my companions while photographing this cottonwood grove in the central Utah desert. These trees, also known as poplars, are relatives of the quaking aspen and grow in relatively wet areas along the edges of rivers and streams, or near springs. Cottonwood trees usually live only about 100 years, but may reach a height of nearly 100 feet and gain a diameter of five feet during that time. To truly appreciate the cottonwood, you may need to rest under one during a hot summer day in the desert. They always provide a cool refuge from the scorching sun.