MB - Tried cropping the fg as you mentioned, but that seemed to beg for some off the top (and sides) to go too. I just couldn't get it right One of those images! The colors were somewhat muted for a Joshua Tree sunrise anyways, so this batch of shots don't make my Best Of bin.

It's funny, but I sort of like the lights. But I can see why someone would not like them. it turns out that east is looking right at the next little town (Twentynine Palms, I believe) and there's not much you can do about it except take the shots from inside the park. However, they don't open the gates until about 8 am. If you camped out inside the park you would be set.

Gb