Organ Pipe national monument
Organ Pipe national monument
No, there is not a giant organ sitting in the middle of the desert. But, there are some very interesting cactus. This area is the only place in the world where the organ pipe cactus grow. The conditions are perfect here for them, so they have flourished. They need a lot of rain, and heat. They get both in abundance here.
We are just a few miles from the organ pipe monument, and we finally made it there on Saturday afternoon. We have been wanting to get there closer to evening for good photos, and Saturday was finally perfect.
We drove the shorter of the 2 loop roads because the woman at the visitors center told us the other one took 4 hours. There was amazing scenery along this route, and we were glad we went that way.
This is the biggest organ pipe cactus we saw. It was enormous compared to all the others. As you can see, the organ pipe look fairly similar to the saguaro.
This giant cactus had an arm that was crested. This is very very rare in these cactus.
The cresting is also very rare on a saguaro, but it can happen.
And there are also tons of saguaro. I love the giant saguaro. It’s like they all have their own personality.
As the sun started to set, the colors really came out in the mountains.
95% of this monument is designated wilderness. There aren’t very many places you can just drive to. It’s all very wild, rugged, and beautiful. Of course, being a national monument dogs can’t really go anywhere, so that kept us on the dirt road. But we saw maybe 4 other cars that afternoon. We pulled off on a little spot, had a picnic and waited for the sun to go down. It was wonderful.
We are in love with this area. Saturday morning we went into Ajo for their little farmers market. I got some fresh lettuce and a couple of small ceramic pieces. The people here are just wonderful. This gentleman had the kindest, happiest face and he was so very friendly.
This was actually the second time we had met him, and I was so glad he posed for me.
I’m kind of new to portrait photography, and he was a good first subject.
They really are amazing and we never new they were called organ pipes before. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
For your first subject, you did pretty darn great. I can see Al painting this…you have a book in the making here Mary, of the dessert life. Oh how I love your world. And as much as I prefer the clipped boxwood gardens of France and the wild “wilderness” of an English garden, I am now lovin’ on these cacti, all because of YOU.
Have another fascinating day! Anita
It’s so nice that I can bring something new for you to enjoy into your world.
The organ pipe cactus are beautiful. Lovely images.. Have a happy day!
Cacti are amazing plants…and yes, he was a great subject!…:)JP
Well what a treat! This morning my hubby was reading his new geographic magazine with wonderful photos. Next I saw yours Mary and thought,”hum…….why aren’t yours in there? Great portrait shot. Maybe Al could paint his face and capture it. Maybe give that man some prints? Just ideas you most likely all ready though about. How about a few selfies or of you taking the pics Mary? Seeing your adventures on your blog makes me want more, more, more.
Such incredible beauty! I love your patience in simply being present and waiting for the sun to set for the light to arrive. Nice.
and I think your first portrait is stunning.
Sitting in a very beautiful, very quite place, takes no patience.
yes, he has a wonderful face! love those cool cacti! so interesting.
I wish we had known about this place when we were down there a few weeks ago. We are definitely putting it on our “need to go to next time” list.
Wait, what….you were in Arizona?
Yeah we were. :) My dad passed away in November and we went to Florence, AZ to clean out his house. We are getting ready to sell it. I love the desert so much that I am having a really hard time about selling it. It’s on over an acre of desert and there is a saguaro, an ironwood tree and a verde tree in the front yard. Every day, there is one of those incredible Arizona sunsets that you take such good pictures of. If only I would win the WyoLotto! Then I could afford to keep it. :) Btw, we are definitely comeing to Anasazi!
What amazing cacti! I love them. Man, I’ve gotta get out that way and just spend a few weeks. It’s gorgeous. Is it as dry as it looks? And I love the portrait! You seem to capture him perfectly.
You need to, you would love it. Currently it’s raining, has been all morning. But yes, it’s dry generally.
That whole area around Ajo and Organ Pipe NM was a favorite of my mom’s. Thus I’m hoping to get there next month and mosey around. Beautiful captures as always!
We are in love with Ajo, I could spend every winter here.
Great pictures we just have a problem with the Green Bay hat! Love Dolly
That portrait is INCREDIBLE! Keep it up!
Those don’t look like anything we have ever seen growing on Earth.
These are beautiful photos…I really like the portrait one!
Weird how hard it can be to switch from landscape to pets, to people, etc. Mom is trying to learn to photograph homes for her real estate job and it is so hard even with the special flash and wide angle lens. A different set of rules for sure. Your portrait shot came out real nice.
That’s a perfect portrait for B and W! You really captured it! I am too shy to ever ask someone if I could take their picture. I would be horribly uncomfortable.
I haven’t been to that part of the US. Amazing glimpse into that part of the country. And I think your portrait turned out pretty well!
That’s an amazing portrait! It’s so neat that that’s the only place they grow.
Great portrait! I’d love to go to Organ Pipe some day. (But isn’t it a bummer that dogs can’t go on the trails in the parks??)
All gorgeous photos and I think your first attempt at portrait photography was outstanding. I’m really appreciating the individual personalities of the saguaro cacti, I’m so glad you made me aware of how different each one is. Really enjoying taking these scenic trips with you! :)
Great landscapes and what a face – I bet that face could tell more than a few stories!
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne
What a beautiful and interesting place. Very good job on your first portrait!!