The Color of Arizona!

All photos and text © 1997 Glenn E. Stewart. All rights reserved.

This page last modified 31 January, 1999

Click photo for larger image.

My apologies that none of the scans presented here do justice to the original 'chromes.

This is the first shot I took with my "new" 1973 Nikon F2S and the 50mm F1.4 lens that came with it. On my way to Arivaipa to photograph the mine structure with a coating of snow, I passed this breathtaking sight on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This is Mount Turnbull with a rare covering of snow. It is 10-15 miles nort of Mount Graham, between Globe and Safford, Arizona. The peak is at about 8,000 feet, the base at about 4,500 feet. Note the Saguaro cacti along the hill sides on the right and left. I'm hoping to get this one published.This is the first shot I took with my "new" 1973 Nikon F2S and the 50mm F1.4 lens that came with it. On my way to Aravaipa to photograph the mine structure with a coating of snow, I passed this breathtaking sight on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This is Mount Turnbull with a rare covering of snow. It is 10-15 miles north of Mount Graham, between Globe and Safford, Arizona. The peak is at about 8,000 feet, the base at about 4,500 feet. Note the Saguaro cacti along the hill sides on the right and left. I'm hoping to get this one published.(Nikon F2S, 50mm F1.4 at F8, 1/125 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

Keeping with the Snow in Arizona theme, here's a prickly pear cactus with a coating of the white stuff. This is along the dirt road to Arivaipa, at about 4,500 feet elevation. It's a god thing I left the house early that morning. You can see drops of water hanging from some of the cactus needles because the snow is already starting to melt, and it's only about 8:00 AM. Snow doesn't last long below 7,000 feet in Arizona.Keeping with the Snow in Arizona theme, here's a prickly pear cactus with a coating of the white stuff. This is along the dirt road to Aravaipa, at about 4,500 feet elevation. It's a god thing I left the house early that morning. You can see drops of water hanging from some of the cactus needles because the snow is already starting to melt, and it's only about 8:00 AM. Snow doesn't last long below 7,000 feet in Arizona.(Nikon F2S, 55mm F3.5 Micro at F8, 1/125 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

Last of the snow shots. A Cholla (pronounced CHOY-yah) cactus with fruit and snow. Near Klondyke, Arizona.Last of the snow shots. A Cholla (pronounced CHOY-yah) cactus with fruit and snow. Near Klondyke, Arizona.(Nikon F2S, 50mm F1.4 at F11, 1/125 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

The road between Globe and Safford used to be a heavily traveled highway that connected Arizona and New Mexico before Interstate 10 took most of the traffic load. This building is in Geronimo, Arizona, and used to be a Motel and General Store. I think a few people still live here. The long shadows thrown across the front of the building by the peeling paint and the pastel colors of the early morning light caught my eye, so I stopped and shot the partially boarded-up building.The road between Globe and Safford used to be a heavily traveled highway that connected Arizona and New Mexico before Interstate 10 took most of the traffic load. This building is in Geronimo, Arizona, and used to be a Motel and General Store. I think a few people still live here. The long shadows thrown across the front of the building by the peeling paint and the pastel colors of the early morning light caught my eye, so I stopped and shot the partially boarded-up building.(Mamiya C-330, 65mm F3.5 at F11, 1/60 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

East of Phoenix is the suburb of Apache Junction. It is where US 60 and Arizona Highway 88 split. 88 goes northeast and is called The Apache Trail. This scenic route follows the Salt River lakes system through the higher elevations of the Sonoran Desert and through canyon scenery that, when viewed from lake level, rivals the Grand Canyon for beauty. The road was used by the men who constructed the first salt river dam which is named for Teddy Roosevelt. In the springtime, the State Flower of Arizona, the Saguaro (pronounced sah-WHAH-roh) blossom can be seen along the road. The 'phantom' bee on the blossom was caught by accident. I had waited for a bee to land, and when one did, I took the shot. The shutter speed was pretty long, and just after I opened it, the bee left, leaving only a 'ghost' image of himself.East of Phoenix is the suburb of Apache Junction. It is where US 60 and Arizona Highway 88 split. 88 goes northeast and is called The Apache Trail. This scenic route follows the Salt River lakes system through the higher elevations of the Sonoran Desert and through canyon scenery that, when viewed from lake level, rivals the Grand Canyon for beauty. The road was used by the men who constructed the first salt river dam which is named for Teddy Roosevelt. In the springtime, the State Flower of Arizona, the Saguaro (pronounced sah-WHAH-roh) blossom can be seen along the road. The 'phantom' bee on the blossom was caught by accident. I had waited for a bee to land, and when one did, I took the shot. The shutter speed was pretty long, and just after I opened it, the bee left, leaving only a 'ghost' image of himself. (Mamiya C-330, 80mm F2.8 at F32, 1/15 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

Presented as proof that you don't have to travel to exotic locations to take colorful photos, are the following three shots of common landscaping flowers used around industrial buildings and housing developments in the Phoenix area. I have no idea what their correct botanical names are. I call the first one Fire Flower, the second one Purple Flowers and the last one Pink flowers. Really imaginative, huh?Presented as proof that you don't have to travel to exotic locations to take colorful photos, are the following three shots of common landscaping flowers used around industrial buildings and housing developments in the Phoenix area. I have no idea what their correct botanical names are. I call the first one Fire Flower, the second one Purple Flowers and the last one Pink flowers. Really imaginative, huh? (Nikon F2SB, 55mm F3.5 Micro at F16, 1/60 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

Purple Flower.Purple Flower. (Nikon F2SB, Sakar 75-300mm F5.6 Macro at F16, PK-13 Extension Tube, 1/15 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

Pink Flower.Pink Flower. (Nikon F2SB, 55mm F3.5 Micro at F16, 1/60 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

A hundred or so miles north of Phoenix is a geological formation named the Mogollon (pronounced MUG-ee-yohn in the State, (Spanish mo-go-YOHN)) Rim. When going from south to north, the elevation abruptly changes from about 6,000 feet to about 7,000 feet. This elevated region is called the Kaibab (pronounced KY-bab) Plateau. The plateau is dominated by Ponderosa pine trees and is home to Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn Antelope, Black Bear, and Javelina (hah-vah-LEEN-ah) and receives a lot of snow in the winter. These Daisy-like flowers are abundant in the meadow areas.A hundred or so miles north of Phoenix is a geological formation named the Mogollon (pronounced MUG-ee-yohn in the State, (Spanish mo-go-YOHN)) Rim. When going from south to north, the elevation abruptly changes from about 6,000 feet to about 7,000 feet. This elevated region is called the Kaibab (pronounced KY-bab) Plateau. The plateau is dominated by Ponderosa pine trees and is home to Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn Antelope, Black Bear, and Javelina (hah-vah-LEEN-ah) and receives a lot of snow in the winter. These Daisy-like flowers are abundant in the meadow areas. (Nikon F2SB, 55mm F3.5 Micro at F16, 1/60 Second, No Filter, Kodak Elite II 100 ISO)

Heading South, here are some shots from the areas around Tucson. Southeast of Tucson, along the road to Sonoita, I found a Prickly Pear cactus in full blossom. Some detail is lost in the printing and scannig processes, but note the honey bee at the lower right.Heading South, here are some shots from the areas around Tucson. Southeast of Tucson, along the road to Sonoita, I found a Prickly Pear cactus in full blossom. Some detail is lost in the printing and scanning processes, but note the honey bee at the lower right. (Mamiya C-330, 80mm F2.8 at F32, 1/30 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

Between Tucson and Nogales (no-GAL-es), Mexico, is Tumacacori (too-ma-CACK-uh-ree) National Monument. It is the remains of a 1700's Spanish mission. It has an American Indian name that means 'round rock', and was named for the mountain ridge to the west. Tumacacori was one of a string of missions of similar design that runs from a couple of hundres miles south of the US-MEXICO border up to Tucson. There isn't much to see there, but the bell tower of the church makes an interesting study. A black and white photo of this scene will be posted on the previous page soon.Between Tucson and Nogales (no-GAL-es), Mexico, is Tumacacori (too-ma-CACK-uh-ree) National Monument. It is the remains of a 1700's Spanish mission. It has an American Indian name that means 'round rock', and was named for the mountain ridge to the west. Tumacacori was one of a string of missions of similar design that runs from a couple of hundreds miles south of the US-MEXICO border up to Tucson. There isn't much to see there, but the bell tower of the church makes an interesting study. A black and white photo of this scene will be posted on the previous page soon. (Mamiya C-330, 250mm F5.6 at F32, 1/15 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

Immediatly south of Tucson on the San Xavier (hav-ee-AIR) Mission, on the San Xavier Indian Reservation. This much-photographed Spanish mission is one of the best preserved in the Southwest. It is usually shown in full daylight and portrayed as milk-white in color. As you can see here, it has many moods. Just before sunrise, it takes on a veneer of pink, when atmospheric conditions are right.Immediately south of Tucson is the San Xavier (hav-ee-AIR) Mission, on the San Xavier Indian Reservation. This much-photographed Spanish mission is one of the best preserved in the Southwest. It is usually shown in full daylight and portrayed as milk-white in color. As you can see here, it has many moods. Just before sunrise, it takes on a veneer of pink, when atmospheric conditions are right. (Yashica MAT 124-G, 80mm F3.5 at F8, 1/15 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

When the sun peeks above the horizon, the mission walls glow gold against the winter sky.When the sun peeks above the horizon, the mission walls glow gold against the winter sky. (Yashica MAT 124-G, 80mm F3.5 at F11, 1/15 Second, No Filter, Fuji Provia 120 rated at 64 ISO)

 Occasionally, we have a Spring storm that coats the higher elevations around Phoenix with snow. This is not a “Photoshop Special”. I can take you to where it was shot. The mountains are the Superstitions, and in the 22 years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen so much snow on them, nor has it stayed so long. It’s usually gone in a day or so. This time it lasted for 4 days after the storm cleared. This was in March, 2006.  (This photo shot using Nikon Coolpix 5400. Also shot on Fuji Astia, rated at 80 ISO, using a Mamiya RB67)

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