Saguaro Wanderings: Seeing 2012 (#70)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Seeing 2012 (#70)

For your consideration: tomorrow (at this writing being Saturday, May 19, 2012) I shall make a return trip to the splendid area of Panoche Valley, largely unknown and hidden between mountain arms a few hours distant. The weather and foliage promise to be rather different from my last visit — few if any clouds are forecast and green grasses are likely to gently cloak the hills — thus I'll get to experience another facet of this region's atmospheric personality.

The prior trek stands out as one of the absolutely, utmost enjoyable days of photography in my life. Every aspect was in its own way exquisite: the lighting, the cool temperatures, the virtual lack of civilization's modern imprint, and the serendipitous synchronization of the storm fronts — we managed to dodge the heavy rains while remaining in the tranquil gaps between throughout the entire ramble — the myriad elements combined to infuse my spirit and soul with a sense of lightness, awe, well-being and a fundamental joie de vivre rarely co-extant.

An extraordinary ratio of superb shots for the total number taken was a major aspect of this bountiful, personal harvest; my favorite image from the January excursion is presented below.