Cactus, Birds, and a Colorful Desert
Cactus, Birds, and a Colorful Desert
This part of Arizona, around Tucson, is very pretty and green. There are so many different cacti, and trees here that it’s like a big prickly forest. Of course the evening is the very best time for photography, so we went up the road to the Saguaro National Park the other day.
We went early enough that we were able to go on a short hike up this hillside. Rocky and rugged, different and wonderful.
This guy looked almost like an octopus.
When the sun started to set, the colors really came out. This is looking to the east. I love the pink skies.
I told Al I could spend a whole day just taking pictures of the saguaro. He said, No…you would need a whole year.
We left the Gilbert Ray campground yesterday. While campgrounds are not usually our thing, this one is pretty nice, and I really enjoyed all the different birds and cacti.
This week the 2LilOwls photo challenge was to take a photo out of focus. This cholla cactus was my test subject. I wanted to experiment with motion blur, something I haven’t tried before.
I had to turn my f/stop way high, so I could slow down the shutter speed. This was shot at f/30 and a shutter speed of 1/15. Then I moved the camera ever so slightly when I pressed the shutter. I kinda like the effect. What do you think?
The Dogwood 52 challenge was to take 10 shots of 1 thing from different angles, or settings then pick a favorite. I used this sculpture that Al is working on, and this was my favorite shot.
Happy Tuesday everyone!!
lovely desert photos and birds.
i don’t enjoy out of focus, it makes me dizzy instantly. might be something in my brain or eyes.
but it was fun to hear how you went about it.
Hello, pretty images from the desert. I love the birds and sunset. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!
My mom always laughs when you post about the Saguaro and Tucson. She was at U of A her freshman year in college and went to a party in the desert…backed up into one of those cacti and got a needle in her behind. She couldn’t sit for a couple days as they cause some kind of infection or something that is very painful! So, be careful around those things!
Lovely pics – that purple mountain in the background is incredible. Al’s new piece is already looking amazing!
On a gray winter day here today, I was wishing to visit the Sonoran desert. Well, you took me there! I love the crazy cacti and the pink sky. Your out of focus photo looks very cool, and Al’s sculpture looks amazing! Thanks!
Goodness, I am LATE!
Love the fuzzy cactus pic – and the sunset one! Wow! I really want to go to Saguara Park some day!
As always, your photos give me a sense of peace and awe.
Really beautiful!
Beautiful images of cacti and the birds that live of them. Such amazing colours and light.