This video shows selected photos from my visit to Goldfield Ghost Town, in Apache Junction, Arizona. Located at the start of The Apache Trail, one of the natural wonders of Arizona, this ghost town is a trove of worn out, rusted delights. It provides a glimpse into the hardscrabble life of goldminers in the 1800′s. This is one of my favorite attractions near Phoenix, and deserves to be seen on a hot summer day when the temperature hovers well over 100 degrees. Well . . . you may prefer to see it during the colloer winter months. It sits at the base of the Superstitions, a rugged mountain range rumored to be the location of an outlaw’s buried treasure chest of gold.

Saguaro Cactus in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona on a Beautiful Day

Now, this made me happy! Being in Papago Park on a beautiful day, blue skies, billowy white clouds, and those amazing desert colors. Not to mention, an ancient saguaro cactus presiding over it all. The saguaro seen here could be well over 125 years of age. Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona was my local wilderness. It was nestled in the heart of this bustling city. Yet, it seemed hundred of miles away from the urban grind.

Sadly, Papago Park does not get the care it deserves as a truly unique natural landmark. As a result, it is only a shadow of its former self. In the early 1900′s, this former Indian Reservation was well known for the abundant saguaro cacti (Carnegiea gigantea) which grew there. As a result, Jan. 31, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed Proclamation No. 1262 declaring the area as the Papago Saguaro National Monument. A dramatic decrease in these cacti resulted in the title being removed. The park’s natural systems has been in ongoing decline, possibly because of high recreational use by people (the area was a popular picnicking site for Phoenix residents) combined with a warming trend since the 19th century.

Being in Papago Park, I get a glimpse of what this land once was, and what it could be if it was more carefully stewarded.

Camera: Nikon D40, kit lens. Budget Photography Tip: The Nikon D40 is one of those budget-priced DSLR cameras that provides excellent value as a used purchase. You can buy more features, but image quality at 800 ISO and below is every bit as satisfying as any current model DSLR. They are well made, the kit lens is excellent, and it can produce pleasing images up to 12×19 and beyond.

Busy Downtown Street, Phoenix, Arizona

For that reason, cityscapes of downtown Phoenix often look more like artificial architectural renderings rather than actual city photographs. The streets are both spotless and deserted. It gives the photographs I’ve shot in downtown Phoenix a post-apocalyptic feel. Without much effort I can shoot almost any downtown street while it is completely devoid of people.

Metro Light Rail Station, Downtown, Phoenix, Arizona.

For a New Yorker used to navigating bustling crowds and busy streets, it all feels a bit surreal. Yet, it also has an undeniable appeal. I suppose peace and quiet has it benefits . . . These photos were shot with an Olympus E-300 and kit lens (one of my favorite digital cameras).

Sunset, Phoenix Arizona

This winter sunset in Phoenix, Arizona is one of my personal favorites. It shows the remarkable natural light displays that can adorn Arizona evenings this time of the year. Captured in Papago Park, Phoenix, this view overlooks one of the park’s fishing lagoons. What the photo does not show is the balmy breezes and soothing quiet that comes with evening in Papago. It was my local park of choice for a quick after work hike, and to watch the sunset. Sadly, this park has long been overused and and shows signs of decay. I hope it receives the care it deserves. To my eye, it is one of Phoenix’s most attractive natural attractions.

Camera: Olympus E-300, kit lens, ISO 100, F:8, 1/15 second, polarizer, tripod mounted. Raw image edited and converted in Bibble 5. Photo by Donald Peterson, Newark1 Web Design Portfolio.

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Rusted Old Cars, Goldfield Ghost Town

Rustbuckets Cars, Goldfield Ghost Town. This photo shows a few of the vintage cars that can be seen in various stages of rust and decay in Goldfield Ghost Town along The Apache Trail in Arizona. This former gold mining town is full of photo-worthy relics. It lies at the base of the Superstition Mountains, one of the most fabled landmarks in this part of Arizona.

This image was shot with my old Olympus E-300 (still my favorite camera for strong desert light) and kit lens. I used Fotosketcher to create a digital frame and subtle sketch effect in this photo.

Arizona Photo: Northern Pintail Duck

This photo shows one of my favorite ducks, the Northern Pintail. This stylish creature sports finely tailored feathers that always remind me of a dapper tuxedo. Even its bill looks like shiny patent leather! This photo was captured at a fishing lagoon in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona, a popular winter destination for this migrating species. Captured in the late afternoon, the deep blue and gold reflections in the water add a beautiful backdrop to this handsome creature. Camera: Nikon D40, Nikon 55-200mm lens.

Arizona Photos – Prairie House, Arizona

Prairie House, Arizona. I don’t remember exactly where I was in Arizona when I took this picture. It was during a three week exploration of the back roads and small towns of New Mexico and Arizona that I discovered this. I was perhaps 30 minutes into Arizona on the Interstate from New Mexico, and pulled off to get a closer look at the red rock rock formations you see in the background. I could not discern whether this was a Native American Pueblo or just a small town. However, I found the simplicity of this setting rather alluring and forbidding at the same time. I find the idea of living this close to such majestic landscape appealing. Yet, these small towns, home to subsisting Native Americans, are a raw reminder of our violent history as a country. Amid God’s majestic handiwork lingers man cruel neglect.

This photo, captured with my Nikon D40 and 18-55mm kit lens, was aged using Photoshop filters from Filter Forge.

Sunset On The Good Land. This photo was captured while travelling along the Old Route 66 in Arizona headed towards Flagstaff after visiting The Petrified Forest National Park. I was captivated by the warm sunset colors and the rich tones in this old farm machinery. I pulled of the side of the road, and used a Tamron 70-300mm lens on my Nikon D40 to get a frame filling portrait of this handsome relic. It was the last photo of the day before heading into Flagstaff for the night. It was the perfect ending to an amazing day of travel!

Painted Desert Inn Museum, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. This photo shows, what is in my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful examples of adobe inspired architecture in Arizona, The Painted Desert Inn Museum, in the Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. As you drive into Arizona from New Mexico on Interstate 40, this is the first National Park you will see. It is a thrilling natural exhibit, and is anchored by this handsome adobe inspired landmark built in the early 1920′s. The Painted Desert Inn was first built by Herbert Lore, a local homesteader, to serve Painted Desert visitors. The original two-story structure has been enlarged and renovated over the years. The Inn was nicknamed the “Stone Tree House” because so much petrified wood was used in its construction, a tangible tie to the landscape.

This photo was captured on a bright, beautiful summer day with a Nikon D40 and 18-55mm kit lens.

Sedona Red Rock. This photo shows a view of the handsome red rock of Sedona, Arizona. Iron oxide gives the porous sandstone of Sedona its red color. An excellent explanation of the geological makeup can be found at Sedona.biz. More views of Sedona can be seen here.

Camera: Pentax *istD, Pentax 28-80mm lens.