Archive All Issues November 2014

THE DESERT, BY GEORGE

We make a bold statement on our cover - that the Sonoran Desert is the best desert in the world. It's not a knock on the Mojave, but once you see George Stocking's photos in this month's portfolio, we think you'll agree with our declaration.

Featured in the November 2014 Issue of Arizona Highways

George Stocking

BY: GEORGE STOCKING

THE DESERT, BY GEORGE A PORTFOLIO BY GEORGE STOCKING THE DESERT, BY GEORGE

PRECEDING PANEL: After an intense monsoon storm, sunset silhouettes saguaro cactuses, the most well-known symbols of the Sonoran Desert. CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK II; SHUTTER: 1/30 SEC; APERTURE: F/13; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 50 MM ABOVE: Three mature saguaros huddle at Ironwood Forest National Monument northwest of Tucson. The largest cactuses in the United States, saguaros have been known to live for 200 years or longer. CAMERA: CANHAM DLC45; FILM: FUJI VELVIA; SHUTTER: 2 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 300 MM RIGHT: Chollas and prickly pear cactuses are common sights near Central Arizona's Superstition Mountains. CAMERA: BRONICA GS-1; FILM: FUJI VELVIA; SHUTTER: 2 SEC; APERTURE: F/16; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 65 MM

PRECEDING PANEL: A clearing monsoon storm leaves hazy orange light on the Signal Hill petroglyphs of Saguaro National Park West near Tucson. CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK II; SHUTTER: 8 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 28 MM ABOVE: Bird nests, such as this one at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Arizona, can often be found in the crooks of saguaro arms. CAMERA: BRONICA GS-1; FILM: FUJI VELVIA; SHUTTER: 9 SEC; APERTURE: F/11; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 100 MM RIGHT: Teddy bear chollas reach toward a cloudy sky at sunset at South Mountain Park in Phoenix. The 16,000-acre park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. CAMERA: CANHAM DLC45; FILM: FUJI VELVIA; SHUTTER: 1 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 90 MM

THE DESERT, BY GEORGE

PRECEDING PANEL: Prickly pear cactuses and chollas form a dense thicket near the Peralta Trailhead in the Superstition Wilderness. CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK III; SHUTTER: 1/6 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 55 MM LEFT: Ocotillos and saguaros, their flowers visible, mingle at Saguaro National Park. Saguaro flowers bloom between April and June; they open for one night, then close permanently the next day. CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK II; SHUTTER: 1/10 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 32 MM ABOVE: Mature saguaros and chollas frame a moonset in the Superstition Mountains. CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK III; SHUTTER: 1 SEC; APERTURE: F/22; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 200 MM AH