3. Often a tree such as a Mesquite or Palo Verde will serve as a “nurse tree” to a Saguaro cactus, providing shade and protection as it grows. A mature Saguaro, standing on its own, may be as much as 100 years old, greatly outlasting its nurse plant. This plant appears to be a “nursery tree” with seven young Saguaros growing under its branches. http://magicoftucson.com/img/sabino-canyon-saguaro-nursery.jpg
The last one is my favorite. I like the mood of #1, but the foreground is too brushy and for me gives the shot a cut off feel. I wish there was a more clearly defined foreground in that one.
Pinball - thanks for your comments - I like the first one, too.
Jim - I agree with your comments about #1. I was wishing I had a wider lens that day (or a full frame camera ). I definitely wanted the storm clouds for the mood, but didn't have enough angle to get a good foreground. If I remember right, going vertical cropped too much from the clouds.
These were taken with a 300D (yep, the original rebel) and the kit lens with a polarizing filter, BTW. I'm anxious to get back there to shoot with my 17-40 on my 40D - should get much better saturation (less need for post work).
Very nice set, indeed. I agree with Jim on the fg in the 1st, but that's still my fave The 3rd is my second fave. Lovely lighting on the desert and saguaro. Gotta love how they sprout out of the harsh landscape there.
Very nice set - those saguaros look like they have had a very nice damp spell given how plump they are and the desert floor in the second shot looks like it has done well too. The first image is the real my favorite in this group.
Thanks for the memories... I was stationed at Davis-Monthan for a year back in the day, and I rode my Honda 160 up into Sabino Canyon many times. You've got some very nice shots here.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. Makes me anxious to get back there and take some more images, especially now that the monsoons are starting up again.
). I definitely wanted the storm clouds for the mood, but didn't have enough angle to get a good foreground. If I remember right, going vertical cropped too much from the clouds.