Why do I love the Arizona desert? Well, the Sonoran Desert offers 350 days of sunshine, forests of Saguaro cactus, numerous mountain ranges, and endless desert vistas.
For most of my life, I had no idea what was to be seen, felt, and experienced in the Sonoran Desert just miles from the Mexico border. It took four years of school, 15 road trips, my wedding, and far too many 110-degree days to embrace the serenity of the desert. And to be honest, it’s not until I left this tranquil environment that I realized what I had.
The following gallery of photos from the Star Pass nature preserve will convince you to open your mind, heart, and soul to the beauty of the desert.
Despite the heat, I consider the desert landscape to be one of the most spiritual settings on earth, offering something magical for the eyes, ears, nose, and soul. The iconic mesas, rolling foothills, and groves of cactus offer fulfillment to those who live for the moment and open their minds to a place that is so easily overlooked. Although I recommend seeing it for yourself, the following photo-journal indulges you on what awaits in the Sonoran Desert of Tucson, Arizona — a stone’s throw from Phoenix.
Take a moment to scroll through these images of Saguaro cactus, blooming Palo Verde, and numerous other desert-dwelling flora. And while you’re here, turn on some spiritual, meditation-inducing tunes and let your mind drift to the peace and serenity of the American Southwest.
All photos were taken with the Fujifilm X-T2 using a 18-55mm and 23mm lens combination.
See you in the desert! And if you would like to share your own desert photos, please tag @Gearminded or #Gearminded on instagram and twitter. Thank you!