Distressed Saguaro: Following my retirement a few years ago, we decided to relocate to Sunny Arizona and now I can't get enough of it. I updated my photo gear to mirrorless to keep...

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Following my retirement a few years ago, we decided to relocate to Sunny Arizona and now I can't get enough of it. I updated my photo gear to mirrorless to keep things light and hiked the Superstition Mountain region for the sheer enjoyment of the mountainous desert environment.

I came across a severely distressed Saguaro on a recent hike through the local Silly Mountain area that had me doing a double take on it's deplorable condition. I took several shots from all angles and still couldn't pass on the full sense of its struggle to survive so I opted to layer in a series of textures to show the inevitable demise of this one-time Sentinel-of-the-desert.

My camera is the Canon EOS M3 set to Aperture Priority,
ISO: 500
F/stop: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 1/100 sec
Focal Length: 30 mm

Edited in On1 Photo Raw 2018.5

Jack Olson

Distressed
Distressed...

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A powerful image, Jack. I'm delighted to see others here who enjoy artistic interpretations 'cause I'll be posting those myself

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Wow. Nice work, Jack. Incredible cactus.
--Bob

Wilderness Images wrote:

Following my retirement a few years ago, we decide... (show quote)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Very powerful

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Linda From Maine wrote:

A powerful image, Jack. I'm delighted to see others here who enjoy artistic interpretations 'cause I'll be posting those myself

Thanks Linda, I'm just getting started to express myself using textures and finding it to be a fun release from the usual. Looking forward to your interpretations.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

rmalarz wrote:

Wow. Nice work, Jack. Incredible cactus.
--Bob

Thanks Bob, your own work was a big part of my inspiration.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

dsmeltz wrote:

Very powerful

Thanks dsmeltz, that's what I was striving for.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Thanks for the thumbs-up longshadow.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Wilderness Images wrote:

Following my retirement a few years ago, we decide... (show quote)

Very strong image with what should be a clear message. When we lived in AZ it was upsetting to see the condition of those cacti along well traveled roads. I hope with the pollution controls of the last 3-4 decades things are slowly getting better.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Rich1939 wrote:

Very strong image with what should be a clear message. When we lived in AZ it was upsetting to see the condition of those cacti along well traveled roads. I hope with the pollution controls of the last 3-4 decades things are slowly getting better.

Thanks for the reply Rich1939, this damage most likely started as a shotgun blast that broke the hide and allowed birds, insects and rodents to get into the core. Shooting the Saguaro has become less of a problem with stricter control over land usage but the global warming and long lasting drought has dropped many of the older Sentinels.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

While I happen to be a naturalist and like to see images that express "reality" I will fully admit that this is an impactful image. It may not be my cup of tea, but if I was judging this I would certainly give it high marks. It is a good composition and shows creativity.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Very effective.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

treadwl wrote:

While I happen to be a naturalist and like to see images that express "reality" I will fully admit that this is an impactful image. It may not be my cup of tea, but if I was judging this I would certainly give it high marks. It is a good composition and shows creativity.

Thanks for the great comments treadwl, I too am somewhat of a naturalist and it frustrates me to see the abuse some people put on the land under the pretense of being a 'nature lover'. This photo is a favorite of mine because it shows what happens when we become inconsiderate of our environment.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

RichardTaylor wrote:

Very effective.

Thanks Richard.