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While on our way to visit Wickenburg, we decided look for some photographic opportunities and potential boondocking (dry-camping) sites in the Lake Pleasant area, north-west of Phoenix. Just a short distant from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, the world changes; as we noticed as we drove down a dusty gravel road, through small mountainous valleys and rocky gorges. The area was (quite notably), densely covered with saguaro trees. When this lake (Lake Pleasant) came into view, I noted how intriguing it was to see both saguaro trees and a lake in one “frame”. Driving further north I noticed the sun’s reflection in the lake and stopped to take a photo. I carefully placed my feet as I made my way down the prickly pear embankment and framed this shot when suddenly a truck barreled past. Seeing the dust, my first instinct was to run back into truck however I knew I wouldn’t make it there in time so I ate the dust, lol! To my surprise however the dust lofted down into my frame! Although my camera (and myself) got sugar coated with dust, I was elated to get this shot! I absolutely love the softness and muted colors of this photo and how the dust (which looks like fog) adds to the interesting combination of sun, lake reflections and sky.
Clear skies are not what a photographer wants, including me. A beautiful sky (along with lighting), can make or break a photograph, that's why you'll see me out on the desert when most people are at home enjoying their morning coffee or having dinner. When there is a storm brewing my eyes are focused on the sky and if I feel it's warranted, I'll make my way to a previously found composition (which was the case here). Finding a composition in the desert can be very difficult, and at times downright frustrating! I can walk miles just to find one, or none. "Why?", because the perfect composition is usually ruined by the surrounding vegetation, especially by the fuzzy trees (as I call them). In this photography however, they add to the composition by separating the foreground from the background. This photo was taken during one of Arizona's famous sunsets; which illuminated the desert floor with a vivid glow and gave the storm clouds these beautiful colors. This moment lasted seconds, so my efforts of pre-planning paid off. :-)
I arrived at Brown's Ranch (McDowell Sonoran Preserve) trailhead well before sunrise and walked straight to this previously sought after location; east of the parking lot.
