Sometimes I don’t have to go far to find these gorgeous spots, but that’s because we travel in the RV and park in beautiful places! These cacti were our neighbours just behind our campsite in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. To make this image, I positioned myself so that the sun would set behind an organ pipe cactus. Then I used a very small aperture of … [Read more...]
More Cacti at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Do you ever get tired of scenes like this? Sometimes I run out of words to go with the photographs, but I always love photographing at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. It's become one of my favourite destinations on our snowbird trips. Changes in the weather here make very dramatic differences to the photographs. Just a couple of days after I made the stormy … [Read more...]
Photography at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Who knew it could rain so much in the desert? I like to be right inside the parks, on location and ready to go at a moment's notice, for at least a few days at each park we visit. Photography at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona is a photographer's dream -- even on blue sky days like we had on our first visit. We camped on free BLM land for a few days and … [Read more...]
The Organ Pipe Cactus
I like going to new places. Of course, there are favourite spots from previous trips that are impossible to drive past, places I could visit again and again like Joshua Tree National Park. But as much as possible I like to discover new things, blaze new trails, and explore places previous unexplored (at least by me). And it's even better if those places are quiet … [Read more...]
A Typical Desert Scene
As a landscape photographer, one of the things you'll find yourself doing a lot is waiting. Once you find your perfect location, you must wait for the light to be just right. While you're waiting, take a good look around. The light might not be perfect on the scene you've planned, but it might be perfect just behind you. On the evening I was waiting for the last light on … [Read more...]
Gila Woodpeckers and Saguaro Cactus
I always see Gila Woodpeckers on the Saguaros everywhere we go in Arizona. I don't know how they manage to perch themselves against so many spiny needles! You even see them standing on the very top of the cactus as if they are smooth telephone poles. Believe me, they are anything but smooth! Please click the image to view a larger version. I came across this Saguaro in … [Read more...]
The Lush Desert in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Last year we missed visiting Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, during our snowbird season. It lies in southern Arizona right against the border with Mexico. We weren't too sure about it since we had been warned that there are lots of "illegals" crossing the border there and it can be dangerous. After doing some research of our own, we decided to pay it a visit, … [Read more...]