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.

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.

The iridescent colors of a beautiful Mallard Duck catches the sunlight in this photo from Papago Park, in Phoenix, Arizona. This photo was captured during a beautiful fall day on a fishing lagoon in Phoenix, Arizona’s Papago Park. To maximize the reflected color in both the duck’s feathers and the water, I shoot without a polarizer on the lens. I like to use the golden reflections in the water as part of the composition of the photo. I do miss the pleasant evenings spent photographing waterfowl in Papago Park!

Sunset Skies Over Papago. This photo shows a beautiful sunset sky over Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. The red rock landmark, Hole-In-The-Rock, can be seen in the background. This desert park is popular with joggers and picknickers, especially during the cooler winter months. Captured on a balmy winter day, this is a sample of the stunning sunsets that Phoenix, Arizona is well known for! Camera: Sony Alpha DSC 200, kit 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.

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.

A Hike In Papago Park. During the years I spent in Phoenix, AZ, I considered Papago Park my slice of wilderness. It was near to home, yet felt wholly separated from the urbanized stretches of the city. This photo shows why. I could throw my lunch or dinner into a backpack, grab my camera, and spend a balmy afternoon or winter evening traversing this otherworldly landscape. However, because I was still in the city proper, I could be home in minutes. Papago Park was the ultimate backyard wilderness.

Camera: Canon Rebel XT, kit lens. Image converted from raw in Scarab Darkroom.

Saguaro Cactus, Papago. This photo shows one of the old Saguaro Cactus in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona. This old fellow is probably around 200 years old, and like the few mature saguaro left in Papago Park, not in the best of health. You can see the red rock buttes of Papago Park in the background reflecting the last rays of the setting sun. Camera: Olympus E-300, kit lens, tripod. Raw image converted in Scarab Darkroom.

The Red Rock Buttes of Papago. As a lifelong New Yorker, I came to view all good earth as brown or black. That was my world view until I came upon the red rock expanses of New Mexico and Arizona. I must admit that I now have a hopeless attraction to any landscape with red rock buttes. It is my catnip. This scene shows red rock buttes in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona. This amazing park is nestled in one of the largest cities in the United States. Papago has seen better days. In the early 1900′s it was renowned for its population of Saguaro cactus. Now there are just a few old Saguaro left near the end of their life. The overuse of the park makes it impossible for new Saguaro to take root. I would love to see what Papago was like in its prime.

Camera: Sony Alpha A200, kit lens, raw image converted using Scarab Darkroom.

Sunset On The Lagoon In Papago. Alluring sunset colors adorn a fishing lagoon in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona. Captured near sunset, the combination of red sand and sunset colors create a fascinating color palette. Papago Park was my favorite place to be come sunset during the years I lived in Arizona. This photo was captured with an Olympus E-300 and kit lens. I usually use a polarizer when shooting sunsets to get a little more ‘pop’ from the blues found in sky. Photo by Donald Peterson, Newark1 Web Design Portfolio.