cactus photos - Part 2: Many of you wrote very helpful suggestions about making interesting photos in the Phoenix/Scottsdale desert. I have noted them all and am technically ready.

photodoc16

Many of you wrote very helpful suggestions about making interesting photos in the Phoenix/Scottsdale desert. I have noted them all and am technically ready. However, there will be some limited time to indulge my photo needs on a trip to see family. So...does the group from the Southwest have any recommendations for an area with not only cacti and wildflowers but also, perhaps, some buttes and other rock formations to complete a scene with many different elevations, colors and textures? I saw a photo of the area around the Goldfield Ghost Town outside Scottsdale that looked promising. If you had one location to shoot what would it be?
Thank you for any additional help.
Photodoc16

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

The ghost town on the Apache Trail is good, as is going further up the trail itself--it's paved about half way to Roosevelt Dam, and Tortilla Flat is along the way. Also, it's about an hour plus north of Phoenix to Sedona. You can't go wrong there. Another side trip down to Tucson to San Xavier Mission, Old Tucson, and the saguaro forest is worth your while. I don't live in the area, but I have visited there several times. Perhaps others can give you other suggestions.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

photodoc16 wrote:

Many of you wrote very helpful suggestions about m... (show quote)

Extreme closeups should be avoided as they may be dangerous for both the photographer and their equipment.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

If I were able to spend only a single day anywhere in AZ with a camera, then hands down, it would be be in Sedona. I love the area surrounding my home in the Tucson area, and there are a lot of places in this state worthy of time behind a camera, but Sedona is spectacular in so many ways. I would choose it over the Grand Canyon and never regret it. You don't need a guide or supervised tour. Just drive around and you will fill up your memory cards. But do your homework before you get there. There are some definate "don't miss" spots.

doc9900

I love Sedona too (I live in AZ) but if I had only a single day to shoot, I would choose Monument Valley. Of course, the problem with that is that it is a looong drive up there as it borders Utah!

AZ Dog Loc: Peoria, AZ

If you are fortunate enough to be here in the next week of two, do not overlook Peridot Mesa on the San Carlos reservation east of globe. This has the most fantastic golden poppy bloom in the state.

WoodnMetalGuy Loc: MN

Lots of good saguaro and other cactus with mountain backgrounds in Usery Mountain Recreation Area, Mesa Az. Easy access north on Ellsworth Road. Take the Wind Cave hike out and back, or go around the mountain on Pass Mountain Trail (approx 8 miles). -- Dave

photodoc16

Thank you all so much. It's up to me now.
Photodoc16

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

photodoc16 wrote:

Many of you wrote very helpful suggestions about m... (show quote)

If you're on the far east side of the valley, check out the Florence-Kelvin highway. Tons of cacti and wildflowers, a huge boulder field, then mountains. Part of the highway is gravel, by the way.

Mark1948

Look up Karchner Caverns, so.east of Tuscon

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Picacho Peak State Park- right off I-10 just south of Casa Grande- maybe an hour S of Phoenix. Lots of cactus including sahuaro- hiking trails, interesting shape mountain. You can hike to the top of the mountain (if you are in good shape). Cactus are starting to bloom now and things are greening up. Might find some wildflowers too. Small fee to get inside the park, picnic areas. You can get a trail map when you go through the gate. Wherever you go in Az now watch for rattlesnakes- starting to come out with the warmer weather- watch where you put your hands and feet. Don't let that stop you though- just be alert.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

For you, and others that might be interested, there is a great guide book titled Photographing Arizona's Wildflowers: A Guide to When, Where, and How. By Colleen Miniuk-Sherry and Paul Gill, published by Anelemma Press, copyright 2015. Gives you excellent information for both wildflower and cacti blooms throughout the state. Great resource.

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Arizona-Photographing-Arizonas-Wildflowers/dp/0983380406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489010209&sr=8-1&keywords=photographing+arizona%27s+wildflowers+a+guide+to+when+where+%26+how

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

For you, and others that might be interested, there is a great guide book titled Photographing Arizona's Wildflowers: A Guide to When, Where, and How. By Colleen Miniuk-Sherry and Paul Gill, published by Anelemma Press, copyright 2015. Gives you excellent information for both wildflower and cacti blooms throughout the state. Great resource.

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Arizona-Photographing-Arizonas-Wildflowers/dp/0983380406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489010209&sr=8-1&keywords=photographing+arizona%27s+wildflowers+a+guide+to+when+where+%26+how

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Near Sedona on 89A is Oak Creek Canyon. My family in traveling to visit family in the Mid-west would always take this way, rather than US 40 through the desert from So. Cal. One nice spot is the "ghost" town of Jerome.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Jerome is terrific