You know what? I live in the desert but no one would know it with all the shots I take of everything else. On a birding venture gone bad, I decided that this post would be based on landscape and sunset. This also marks the first time that I was able to get out and enjoy the desert and RARE cooler temps again. It was breezy and cool this evening.
It was getting dark outside and so I marked where I was walking, but somehow I almost got lost! Talk about an anxiety attack!
Tucson is home to the ancient and old Saguaro cactus. Most of these Saguaros you are looking at are nearly 200 years old!
So I think about what was going on 200 years ago. It would have been 1812. There was that wonderful 1812 Overture written by a famous Russian composer known as Tchaikovsky. An earthquake destroys Caracas Venezuela, Louisiana becomes the 18th state to join the United States, US President James Madison asks Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom, and the US invades Canada at Windsor, Ontario. Wow. And that wasn't everything......but can you imagine? And here these Saguaro stand as a testament of time passing.
The Native people believe that the Saguaro embody the spirits of the ancient ones and were considered sacred. I think they're right.
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You can't knock the cacti, beauty.
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic. Great sunsets and majestic cacti.
ReplyDeleteYou be careful out there in the wilderness Chris, I bet a few Vultures had their beady eyes on you:)
ReplyDeleteIf Saguaros could talk... Scary to get lost when hiking. I was always taking pictures once in a while from the view behind me and I was always carrying a special whistle in case...
ReplyDeleteFascinating- and beautiful photos, too!
ReplyDeleteLovely atmospheric photos Chris and fascinating to hear how old the Saguaro's are and what they have witnessed :) Glad you didn't get lost by the way :)
ReplyDeleteIt's almost impossible to imagine what it was like so many years ago Chris, everything is so high tech now. Awesome to think these Saguaro cactus and the magnificent mountains in the background have been witness to the most unbelievable changes, bit scary to get lost out there though, marking your way was a very good idea, take care!
ReplyDeleteOh I've always believed that the Saguaro has a spirit about them as much as humans do. When I start thinking of times when they were seedlings, I'm just overwhelmed at the feeling. Same with the redwoods. When I walked through the Lewis and Clark place where they camped and realized that all those trees were probably there when they were, even though they were not redwoods, it's really an amazing feeling. I've though lately about going down to the Saguaro National. Haven't been there in a whole long time. Of course, a camera would be nice though. :)))
ReplyDeleteCould not resist calling by just before I leave on Sunday.These are all stunning landscape photos of the desert.That sky with the Saguaro
ReplyDeleteCati outline is really beautiful.
So glad you didn't get lost:)
Wonderful shots. The sky is so pretty and the cactus just show it all off so well.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly these ancient forest types use to extend far west towards Yuma where today much of those far west areas called Devil's Highway are mostly a moonscape. I'm going to document a few things there when I come back in April and also the trek along the once Gila River now a dry wash.
ReplyDeleteI love the Saguaro forest areas of Tucson.
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I am fascinated by the saguaros and do feel a presence of the ancient ones when around them. Sorry to hear the birding went bad, but thanks for sharing the desert.
ReplyDeletejust beautiful scenes. the 2nd with the layers of color. wow!
ReplyDeleteThey do seem like old wise souls. I also love the colors of the mountains and sky in these shots. Hooray for cooler temps, it's about time!
ReplyDeleteQue bello paisaje y qué bonitos contraluces.. Enhorabuena..
ReplyDeleteYou have such beautiful scenery to photograph Chris. All great shots.
ReplyDeleteLove photographs, enjoyed the scenery with you!
ReplyDeleteGaz
American deserts & canyons are maybe the most beautiful in the world... I'd like to see it live
ReplyDeletexoxo, Juliana | PJ’ Happies :) | PJ’ Ecoproject
There are simply no sunsets like desert sunsets. These photos are gorgeous. However, I would no way walk in the desert after dark. I am a little a-scared if it. :-)
ReplyDeletePS I saw one bird on my feeder and bird bath yesterday. Maybe it will tell its friends.
I'll agree with you and the the natives.
ReplyDeleteI love the title, very fitting. I've already read somewhere of the ages of those saguaro cactus and it really is incredible. I can't imagine why they live so long, do you know why? And the sunsets are so lovely seen only in those parts.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous saguaro shots! I haven't been able to get any at sunset with my digital, but I do have a film camera (a good Nikon) and I plan to try! I love this post!
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