Cabeza Prieta Sunset

Described by Edward Abbey as "the best desert wilderness left in the USA, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is 1049 square miles where human life would have a great deal of trouble existing. There are but two "roads". To call them roads is a bit misleading. They are more like wagon trails with long stretches of rock that test the stability of the internal human anatomy. The southernmost road is called "El Camino del Diablo" or "the Devil's Highway." Needless to say, a four wheel drive vehicle, elbow and knee pads are required. In order to get a permit to go on the refuge you must watch a 25 minute "hazard warning" video and sign a two-page "hold harmless agreement." In this video you are told to carry TWO! spare tires, shovels, and two gallons of water per person. Oh, did I say a four wheel drive vehicle is a must. Even with permit in hand, you still must call as you enter the refuge and call again once you leave. 

It was established as a NWR in 1939 to protect Desert Bighorn Sheep and the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. With very little rain, there is almost no standing water anywhere except pockets in the mountains where water -- and the Bighorns collect. (Desert Bighorn Sheep can go three weeks without water -- which is probably necessary for their survival at Cabeza Prieta).  There are seven mountain ranges within the refuge. Most require long hikes just to arrive at base of the mountain. There is one exception, Charlie Bell Pass. This is a 17 mile wreck of a road that the ranger suggested was my best chance to see sheep. I might also see some of the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn on my way. It was the perfect time of day -- late afternoon. Three hours later, no pronghorn, no sheep. But, I did see a small herd of beautiful Feral Burros, mountain lion tracks, and an amazing sunset. Here is the sunset:

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Landscaping

First, let me apologize for the lack of posts this past week. I was "under the weather". However, I am now (I think) fully recovered and ready to resume my blog.

I remember a story Arnold Palmer told about advice he got from his dad when he was a teenager. Palmer was a very good athlete, did a lot of things well, but his dad said, pick just one and excel. Do it the best you possibly can. Learn all you can. Obviously, he chose golf. And he excelled. That's probably good advice for the photographer too. Whether its portraits, industrial, architecture, macro, wildlife, or landscapes: pick one, learn all you can, and do it well.

I have focused on wildlife. It is something I love doing. I love being in nature. I love wild animals. I love developing a brief momentary relationship with them. (This is probably the reason I stalled on Lighthouses). My best photos are wildlife photos. However, that doesn't mean I'll pass up an opportunity to take a landscape photo if I can "see the photo". What I mean is that as you develop your specialty, you "see a photo" that others may not. I am always amazed by industrial and architectural photos. I never would have thought that "angle" or that "composition" or that "depth of focus" would have created such a wonderful or amazing photo. I couldn't "see it."  I often stand looking at an amazing landscape without a clue of how to photograph it. The Grand Canyon for example is unphotographable to me. I don't know how to capture its vastness.

With that disclaimer, I thought I'd share with you some of my landscape photos. I'll start with the easy ones. Sunrises, sunsets, and moons catch even the normal photographers eye. 

Sunrise in Monument Valley, Arizona

Sunset here at The Azure Gate

Full Moon Rising at The Azure Gate

Sabino Canyon, Arizona

Sabino Canyon is another of our "favorite places." About ten minutes from us, it seldom fails to please. The first time we took our oldest son Matt and his wife Rung (they live in Hawaii) we weren't fifteen minutes into our hike when we came across a western diamondback rattlesnake. As we were finishing our hike the moon decided to land on this saguaro. With Christine's should as a tripod I got this photo. Not bad. We love to walk up to what we call "the frog pond." Everyone can lie down on a large boulder at the pond's edge and look up into the sky. Typically, we listen to the owls hooting away as we watch bats come down to the pond to scoop up insects. Often a male and female cardinal stop to say hello on a nearby branch -- even the same boulder where we lie sometimes. It is so peaceful, the perfect place for resting, relaxing, and meditating.  All thanks to Teddy Roosevelt.

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Sunset

Cabeza Prieta NWR is 860,000 acres (the size of Rhode Island) of boundless heat scorching desert along the Mexico/US border. There are but two "roads". To call them roads is a bit misleading. They are more like wagon trails with long stretches of rock that test the stability of the internal human anatomy. The southernmost road is called "El Camino del Diablo" or "the Devil's Highway." Needless to say, a four wheel drive vehicle, elbow and knee pads are required. Refuge literature suggests carrying two (!) spare tires. In order to get a permit to go on the refuge you must watch a 25 minute "hazard warning" video and sign a two-page "hold harmless agreement." With permit in hand, you still must call as you enter the refuge and call again once you leave. As for the bighorn sheep, there are seven mountain ranges within the refuge. Most require long hikes just to arrive at base of the mountain. There is one exception, Charlie Bell Pass. This is a 17 mile wreck of a road that the ranger suggested was my best chance to see sheep. I might also see some of the endangered sonoran pronghorn on my way. It was the perfect time of day -- late afternoon. Three hours later, no pronghorn, no sheep. But, I did see an amazing sunset and mountain lion tracks.

Azure Gate Sunset

We interrupt our blog today to bring you last night's sunset. It was there for all to photograph. Our wonderful guests from Scotland were able to take several photographs. It wasn't that there aren't sunsets in Scotland, there just aren't many with Saguaros in them, he said. I think he's probably right.