I never knew the desert could be so beautiful. I’ve been to Arizona before, but since I’ve picked up photography I see things in a whole different light!
Speaking of light….just before sunset, the desert is its most beautiful in my opinion. This image was taken at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve which is a permanently protected 30,200 acre sustainable desert habitat that doesn’t allow any motorized vehicles.
The cactus in the image is called a saguaro cactus. The saguaro is an arborescent (tree-like) cactus species which can grow to be over 70 ft (20 m) tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican State of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona.
What an unbelievable beautiful place! I can’t wait to go back some day.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Laura Macky Photography 
April 5, 2015 at 3:10 pm
so beautiful!
April 5, 2015 at 4:57 pm
Thank you!
April 5, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Gorgeous shot Laura. I once lived next to Saguaro National Park near Tucson and the desert is most definately beautiful.
April 5, 2015 at 4:57 pm
Oh lucky you! I would be out taking pictures all the time! Thank you. 🙂
April 5, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Stunning shot!
April 5, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Thank you!
April 5, 2015 at 7:05 pm
Gorgeous Laura. 🙂
April 5, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Thank you. :). It’s simply stunning there!
April 5, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Fantastic color and light. Your photo helps explain why it’s called the golden hour.
April 5, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Thank you David! I could easily sit and watch the colors change every night.
April 5, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Amazing beautiful place Laura – thanks for sharing – without you I would never have seen this 😀
April 6, 2015 at 7:11 am
You’re so welcome. It really is a beautiful place! I couldn’t believe it when I read how tall those saguaros grow. Taller than my husband! hehe
April 6, 2015 at 12:10 am
Hey Laura .. .what a magic photo. Amazing that they are that tall. I can see why you would want to go back. 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 7:12 am
Thank you Julie! And yes, I was asking my husband about next year already lol.
April 6, 2015 at 12:49 am
Very beautiful,I have been there,same feelings.Anyway every desert has something special.Sahara changes a lot from Morocco to Tunisia to Algeria to Middle east
April 6, 2015 at 7:13 am
Ohhh now I’m jealous. I’d love to see all the different deserts! I love to travel. Thank you Stefano.
April 6, 2015 at 3:01 am
Wow stunning. Such beautiful colours and tones 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 7:14 am
Thank you Norma. Honestly I might’ve taken a small liberty with the photo but not much. It really does look like that.
April 6, 2015 at 4:30 am
Stunning Laura.
April 6, 2015 at 7:14 am
Thank you Edith. 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 7:36 am
the light at the desert… Lovely. I only know the desert around Las Vegas…but still
April 6, 2015 at 7:45 am
Thank you so much. The desert is incredible. I can’t wait to go back!
April 6, 2015 at 7:50 am
This lovely photo captures the desert in so many ways–light, colors, wilderness, spacious. Really wonderful Laura. 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thank you Jet. 🙂 I love it there so much!
April 6, 2015 at 8:59 am
love it…this photo shows a beautiful light. By the way, love the banner photo! I’ve never been to Arizona but your photos have peaked my interest! 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 9:21 am
Thank you Heather. I tell you, I was shocked at how gorgeous it is! I can’t wait to go back. Oh and tnx about my header. I figured it was time to let the air out of the balloon LOL.
April 6, 2015 at 10:14 am
these photos and those on google plus are amazing!! Beautiful work Laura! Hope you had a happy Easter weekend!
April 6, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Thank you! I’ll be posting the G+ images soon!! 🙂
April 6, 2015 at 10:22 am
Great shot Laura……fantastic light……..could be a still image of a landscape straight-out of a “Western” movie.
April 6, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Thank you Mark! I see what you mean. Yippeee kay-yay!
April 6, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Laura…. speaking of great images… this is phenomenal! I’ve only been to Arizona once to visit a friend. Luckily I got to see the Grand Canyon as part of that three day adventure. I’d love to see this spot!
April 6, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Thank you so much K’lee. This area is just incredible! We managed to squeak it the day before we left. Talk about beautiful!!
April 6, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Talk about the last image being a lasting image! I think I’d remember plenty of these details even without the camera, but it sure is good to have one for spots like this!
April 6, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Agreed! I still remember how incredible and vast it was. And yes, even without the camera.
April 6, 2015 at 4:46 pm
I’ve got to make the trip back there! I heard someone call Montana ‘God’s Country’ once. I think the locale in your photo qualifies as well…
April 6, 2015 at 4:47 pm
I call everything in nature “God’s Country” hehe. You definitely should go. It will blow your mind!
April 6, 2015 at 4:49 pm
You’re so right! It’s all miraculous. I tell you, I am ready for the trip and about due to have my mind blown!
April 7, 2015 at 4:36 am
A very magic quality to the light here…I love the desert light.
April 7, 2015 at 7:53 am
Thank you. 🙂 Me too!!
April 7, 2015 at 7:38 am
Top class image there Laura – fantastic colours!
April 7, 2015 at 7:55 am
Thank you! What a place! I can’t wait to go back next year.
April 7, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Judging by the light you’re getting there – I completely understand.
April 7, 2015 at 9:58 am
wow… This is really awesome.
April 7, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Thank you! It was awesome in person too!
April 7, 2015 at 10:15 am
For sure, beautiful, awe-inspiring. I love the Southwest deserts no matter where. Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and California are all lovely. Now I’m curious to see what else caught your eye, since as you say you did not take so many photos. That is one lovely image, Laura. Really love the details, plants in the foreground especially and mountains as backdrop too.
April 7, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Thank you so much Robert. I will be posting some more photos tomorrow. I’ve only worked on a few as I’ve been kind of busy. I’ve come to the realization that I don’t have to take hundreds to get some decent shots if I just think a little bit more before I click. 😉
April 7, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Yes. i agree. We all come to that point eventually and then decide how many photos we really want to take. Or do we want to socialize instead, be one with nature, meditate, eat ice cream? 🙂
April 7, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Evidently I like to do all of them. I think I can do most all at once except for meditate lol. 🙂
April 7, 2015 at 10:42 am
That picture is like it is from another planet. It is awesome, Laura! That cactus is just huge! I am trying to imagine what you were feeling as you stood in the spot you were, photographing this incredible image. LOVE the way you processed it. You really brought out the detail and the contrast and the FEELING of this Moment. Wow! (((HUGS))) Amy
April 7, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Thank you so much Amy! You know what? It really does look like that. I gave it a bit more saturation and detail pop but truly it is like that in person. My jaw was dropping all over the place haha.
April 7, 2015 at 1:31 pm
I can just imagine the look of awe on your face, Laura, because that same look would have been on mine. And IF I had been there besides you with my camera equipment, I would have looked at you with stars in my eyes saying out loud WOW! OH WOW! Pinch me!!
April 7, 2015 at 2:25 pm
I don’t think there would be room for me, you, and your huge tripod! hahahaha lol. Whewee…man I’m funny sometimes! 😛
April 7, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Now, Laura, me and my HUGE tripod? I have it all tucked in this neat little bag … well not so little … tee hee …. but I could strap it on my back so I could fit. LOL I actually need to run the paces with my HUGE tripod come to think of it. Hmmmmm …….
April 7, 2015 at 4:10 pm
hahaha your little shrimpy self running with that huge tripod? I guess anything is possible. 😛 hehehehe
April 7, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Just thinking about it makes me laugh. 😀
April 7, 2015 at 4:33 pm
🙂
April 8, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Beautiful. So beautiful. You captured this so well. My parents live in Mesa, AZ. If you want to find some great places to visit, explore and take photographs of on your next adventure there subscribe to Arizona highways magazine. Great stuff! Happy you enjoyed yourself and shared this image, wow!!
April 9, 2015 at 6:55 am
That’s a great idea. I’d love to go to Monument Valley too. Oh and Mesa Verde I think that’s what it’s called in Colorado. OMG! Thank you 🙂
April 9, 2015 at 7:19 am
I hear a road trip in the making. 1st night Palm Springs, 2nd night Scottsdale, few days watching baseball games, North to Sedona, Flagstaff (at least the San Fransisco Volcanics are worth a day stop) North east to Mesa Verde N.P. over to Zion N.P. through Vegas to Death Valley N.P. and on to San Fran. You can buy a yearly N.P. pass for much less than all the park fees would be, there are great places to stay in or close to the parks too. I love road trips!! These are all spectacular places, especially as the sun rises and sets!
April 9, 2015 at 7:25 am
HA! I love road trips too. We have a yearly NP pass too. 🙂 We start remodeling our house soon…the first phase we can be here. The second phase we can’t. Maybe we can do some of it then or we might have to wait till next year when finances are more settled. But I love your thinking!
April 17, 2015 at 3:48 am
stunning!
April 17, 2015 at 10:31 am
Much appreciated 🙂
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