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Posts from the ‘McDowell Sonoran Preserve’ Category

Mar 2

Wildflower Watch

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is about to start its annual Wildflower Watch. I was asked to come up with a logo for their Facebook page and here is the result. To get to the Wildflower Watch page, CLICK HERE to the Activities Calendar. Then click on the last tab on the right above the calendar (Special Event-Wildflower Event). Look to the left and click on Wildflower Watch for lots of information including photos of flowers. Poppies captured last year on the Tom’s Thumb trail. (oops…title not centered!)

Feb 28

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Snow in the Preserve

More photos from Sunday’s snow appearance. We went out very early knowing it would melt quickly once the sun came up. Because we were trying to see all our favorite areas covered in snow, we moved quickly which meant shooting mostly handheld at a high ISO. Noise was easy to get rid of but the color balance still needs work. I’ll blame it on my monitor since it’s past time to calibrate 🙂

Feb 27

Snow!

Totally unexpected but thoroughly enjoyed! Not much light but software helped. More images tomorrow.

Feb 26

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Field Institute

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy now has a Field Institute and today was the first day for many members, including me, to collect flora specimens. The goal of the Institute is to document the flora in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve during the next 3 years. Besides being fun, this Flora Survey will be a great opportunity to gain some botanical knowledge. Front and center (holding White RatanBursage) is our fearless leader; botanist Steve Jones.

Feb 25

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Shape Collage

I’m teaching a class in basic compositing next week. These days there are multiple softwares that make the process completely automatic but knowing how to create one from scratch can help you tweak the automatic ones and make them your own.

Pages from my Flora Guide gathered in a ball.

Feb 22

Last Light

Our recent rainstorms, have given us the most spectacular orange light at the end of the last two days. Here’s a digital art rendition of that light. (Topaz filters)

Feb 14

Love in the Air

In search of birds yesterday morning, we came across many pairs of Cactus Wrens. I assumed they were in the courting stage but toward the end of the hike, we heard baby birds chirping as one of the adults entered a nest. Definite signs of Spring! Happy Valentine’s Day all 🙂

Feb 7

Teddy Bear Cholla

Could this explain how this cactus got its name? 🙂

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