This past week I visited Picacho Peak State Park, about an hour south of Phoenix, along I-10. The park and surrounding area is known for its unique geological significance, outstanding and varied desert growth, and historical importance. The unique shape of Picacho Peak has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. One of the first recordings was in the 1700s by the Anza Expedition as it passed through the area.
My interest was to capture some of the park’s geological and plant life features and to show the colours of the desert in springtime. I was fortunate to catch the end of the wildflowers in bloom and the beginning of the cacti in flower. Although early, I did manage to find a few Saguaro in bloom. Following is a short slideshow with a dozen of the photos from the park. The pleasant surprise of the day was the stunning cumulous clouds, highlighted by the brilliant blue sky. The clouds and the shadows they cast make a scene much more dramatic.