Superstition Mountains, Arizona

anwmn1

Had a few extra minutes one day while working nearbye, so I drove out to the Superstition Mountains.







The map.


Javelina's have caused a lot of damage to cactus in this particular area.


I thought this one was very unique. Would have been great for the contrast challenge.


Thanks,

Aaron

Phyxius

Love the red in the first picture and the dead cactus (if that's what it is) in the third is really cool looking. Are the rocks and the dirt that red or was it all sunset/rise?

I like the map, is that real or just what some random person put on a rock for fun, to fool easterners like myself? Here it'd move include a bit more of whatevers in the bottom right, it looks a little bit cut off, I think it's a teepee?

I agree that the heart shaped cactus is kind of ironic, but I'd like a little more breathing room on the left side of the um? leaf?

Thanks for posting!!

dgriffith

First shot is terrific! So rich, and captures the majesty and the silence. And that last one really says it all. Great shots!
Debbie

anwmn1

Phyxius wrote:

Love the red in the first picture and the dead cactus (if that's what it is) in the third is really cool looking. Are the rocks and the dirt that red or was it all sunset/rise?

I like the map, is that real or just what some random person put on a rock for fun, to fool easterners like myself? Here it'd move include a bit more of whatevers in the bottom right, it looks a little bit cut off, I think it's a teepee?

I agree that the heart shaped cactus is kind of ironic, but I'd like a little more breathing room on the left side of the um? leaf?

Thanks for posting!!

Thank you. That is a dead cactus that you are seeing in the second and third shots. As far as the rocks they do have a red tint to them but the first picture was taken at sunset which enhanced the color.

The map is unknown as far as how the carvings in the rocks got there. I was really only focused on the carving of the mountains and the sun since the picture is facing east. I plan to go back at sunrise one weekend to get a nice sky as well as the rock. The one side is a little chopped but when shooting around cactus- you are limited on where you can stand.

I agree about the heart shaped cactus but there is no breathing room. Just out of the frame is another part of the cactus.

Thank you for the comments.

Aaron

Azzaro

I really liked your pictures.......Were they shot at the Lost Dutchman State Park ?????? Gary T.

anwmn1

Azzaro wrote:

I really liked your pictures.......Were they shot at the Lost Dutchman State Park ?????? Gary T.

I shot from two different locations.

The first three pictures were shot from just outside of Lost Dutchman State Park. I stopped on the side of the road and hiked in about 1/4 mile (proabably illegally went through the state park fence) oops

The second three were shot from Lost Goldmine Trail in Gold Canyon. Same thing maybe went a few hundred yards, I was still in my work clothes.

Rest of the pics that are posted so far.. More to come
http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/gallery/2068672

pug8

Certainly a place worthy of a photography trip. Good job with the photos.

But what are javelinas? I guess feral animals of some sort...

Ah, now I know - I googled. That's not the name knew them as when I was a volunteer zoo guide back in Australia.

Phyxius

anwmn1 wrote:

The one side is a little chopped but when shooting around cactus- you are limited on where you can stand.

Ha, I can imagine! At least you didn't get so into that you accidently stumbled into something, YOW!

anwmn1 wrote:

I agree about the heart shaped cactus but there is no breathing room. Just out of the frame is another part of the cactus.

I understand that completly too, nice catch though and I do love it for a contrast theme.


Also, I think retaking the map picture with the sunrise would be an awesome shot! It'd really tie in the rock, history, background, and their relationships to each other.

DavidS

I love the second and third ones.

Awais Yaqub

loved them ! those closeups are great what is Javelina's ?

frankenstein

The first three images are wonderful. The rich colours in the first one remind me of Central Australia's reds - maybe the foreground could be dodged a bit to bring out a touch more detail?
Looks like a location where many hours could be spend taking wonderful photographs. Thanks for posting these.

Frank

anwmn1

Awais Yaqub wrote:

loved them ! those closeups are great what is Javelina's ?

Thank you Awais.
Javelina's are similar to bore's or wild pigs. They are about the size of a medium dog, about 20-30lbs have terrible eyesite, but will charge you if they feel threatened. They are all over the southwest and are vegetarians eating cactus, wild berries, and such.

Aaron

anwmn1

Thanks David and Frank

frankenstein wrote:

The first three images are wonderful. The rich colours in the first one remind me of Central Australia's reds - maybe the foreground could be dodged a bit to bring out a touch more detail?
Looks like a location where many hours could be spend taking wonderful photographs. Thanks for posting these.

Frank

This place is pretty majestic with multiple trails, changes in scenery and plant life, once a year snow will cover the top, and rumors of hidden gold. This is the first time I ever shot it but will not be the last.

Aaron