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.

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.

My First Visit To Sedona. This photo was this first shot during my first visit to the red rock paradise, Sedona, Arizona, more than four years ago. This view is on the Bell Rock Pathway. To a city boy from New York where all land is flat, and all dirt is brown, this was indeed a visual revelation. I admittedly did not capture my best photos on this visit because I wanted to photograph everything. My emotions were overwhelmed by the grandeur of this place. If you ever feel that the urban “grind” is sapping your spirit, visit Sedona. You will be recharged.

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

Sunset Light, Phoenix, Arizona. It is about 6pm on a November evening, after a rare light rain. I grab my dinner, toss it in the car, and drive to Papago Park in time to watch the sunset. The sunset light paints the red rock of Papago, providing a bit of colorful entertainment that gives the day pause and time for meaningful reflection. This view of God’s handiwork is not the Grand Canyon or Bryce, but for a scene that lives practically in my backyard, I am very thankful.

Camera: Olympus E-300, Kit Lens.

Her Secret Is Patience. I was in Phoenix, Arizona when this public art installation was premiered last year. Entitled “Her Secret Is Patience,” it hovers over a trim new public space in the downtown district. At a cost of 2.5 million, it was, not surprisingly, a topic of some controversy. Is it art? Is it 2.5 million dollars worth of art? Of course, opinions vary. Everyone does not share the same taste. It is a refreshing departure from the typical downtown statue in a city that made a surprisingly bold move in the design of its Metro Light Rail system.

Camera: Olympus E-300, kit lens. Raw file edited with Raw Therapee 3.0 alpha 1 build.

Elvis Chapel, Superstition Mountain Museum. The Elvis Memorial Chapel is a remnant of the famed western movie studio, Apacheland, now on display at the Superstition Mountain Museum along The Apache Trail in Arizona. It was a prop in a number of well known westerns, including “Charro,” which starred Elvis Presley. Apacheland, decimated by fire in 2004, was the studio for popular westerns that included: The Ballad of Cable Hogue, Arizona Raiders ,The Haunted, The Gambler II and Blind Justice. Television series filmed here included Have Gun Will Travel, and Wanted Dead or Alive.

This photo was captured with an Olympus E-300 and kit lens. Raw file converted using Raw Therapee 3.0 Alpha 1 with AMaZE Demosaicing.

Goldfield Ghost Town Junk. Junk takes on new meaning in the deserts of Arizona. I cannot imagine spending my time to see a pile of junk anywhere in New York. However, put me in the Sonoran desert, and junk suddenly becomes very cool! This is a sample of the junk on display at Goldfield Ghost Town, the remnants of a former gold mining town along The Apache Trail in Arizona. Located about 45 minutes outside of Phoenix, at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, Goldfield is definitely worth a visit. Camera: Olympus E-300, kit lens. Raw file converted with Lightzone 3.8.

ASU, Mercado Campus. Downtown Phoenix, Arizona is no man’s land in the heat of summer. When temperatures commonly reach 110º and more, this cosmopolitan downtown becomes a ghost town. However, being the camera carrying fool that I am, I love to stroll in that heat capturing views of the city. The Mercado Campus of ASU (Arizona State University) is one of my favorite places to shoot in white hot midday Phoenix sun. Like a stylish southerner dressed in a crisp linen suit and panama hat, The Mercado has a sense of unflappable style that seems perfectly suited to these overheated summer days.

Camera: Olympus E-300, Kit Lens. Raw image converted with Lightzone 3.1.

A Blazing Sunset In Papago Park. Here is why I tell photographers visiting Phoenix, Arizona to head for Papago Park when a beautiful sunset approaches. The fishing lagoons in Papago Park amplify and reflect beautiful sunset colors. This park comes alive during a beautiful sunset and rewards those who happen to be there with a delightful color show. Most visitors to Papago visit Hole-In-The_Rock to see the sunset over downtown Phoenix. To my eye, the real show is here on the fishing lagoons!

Camera: Pentax *istD, kit lens.