Embark on a journey through the serene Rincon Mountain Wilderness with me. Witness the rugged beauty of the Hedgehog Cactus and the whispering Bear Grass through my lens. Let’s unravel the secrets of the desert together, and find solace in the still life of the Happy Valley Saddle. Join me, and let’s capture the enduring spirit of Arizona’s hidden treasures.
Discover a timeless world through my lens: delve into Arizona’s Rincon Wilderness, where lichens and hedgehog cacti narrate Earth’s enduring, untold story. Join me.
Step into the Rincon Wilderness with me, where the Southwestern Paintbrush blooms amidst the ancient stones.
In the embrace of the Rincon Mountains, east of Tucson’s hum, lies the Rincon Wilderness, a tapestry of desert life and geological marvels. These mountains, one of the “Sky Island” ranges cradling the Tucson valley, are less rugged than their siblings, the Santa Catalinas and the Santa Ritas, offering a gentler invitation to explore their secrets.
Amidst the rugged beauty of Happy Valley, a hidden corner in the quilt of the Rincon Wilderness, a singular red-orange glow caught my eye. There, among the lichen-encrusted boulders, stood the Southwestern Paintbrush, Castilleja integra, its flamboyant bracts a fiery contrast to the muted greens and grays of its surroundings.
This herbaceous perennial, with its soft downy coat, is a paradox, both painting the desert with life and leeching it from others as a hemi-parasite. Its roots, entwined with those of other desert dwellers, tell a tale of survival that’s as old as the hills themselves.
Each leaf, narrow and dusted with hairs, speaks to the adaptive artistry of nature, designed to conserve precious moisture. The flowers, with their extended blooming season and generous nectar, court the hummingbirds who dance between the blooms, pollinators in this ancient symbiosis.
The Southwestern Paintbrush, with its colorful allure, draws more than just winged admirers. Its presence among the rocks is a reminder of the complex ecological web of the Rincon Wilderness, a part of Saguaro National Park’s rich mosaic
Step into the serene embrace of Happy Valley Saddle through our latest blog post, and wander with us as the dawn unfolds over the majestic Rincon Peak.
Imagine yourself in the vast desert, face-to-face with these hooked spines, a fortress hiding bittersweet water within. Hope your Valentines Day is less prickly.
Here I revel in the spectacle of an early morning rising of the cresent moon.
Here I explore the concepts of “earthglow” and occultation.
One October Evening
When Pam and I lived in an converted mill house on Malloryville Road one walk we’d take with cameras was out the front door, turn right and walk the road to the hilltop to take in the views.
Ripe corn on Malloryville Road from a hill above the Fall Creek valley.
Fall Creek Valley view from Malloryville Road looking southwest. In the far distance is Connecticut Hill. You can see the towers of Ithaca College from here, but not in this photograph.
In the early dawn, I walked the path to Killen, drawn by the legacy of my mother’s Irish youth. An abandoned hay wagon stood, a relic amidst the whispers of history and myth. Join me in uncovering the roots that intertwine family and the enduring Irish land.
Discover the Sego Lily, Calochortus nuttallii, a symbol of resilience and beauty in the arid deserts of the West. Uncover its role in pioneer survival and its captivating presence on a serene April backpack into the Rincon Wilderness. Join us in exploring the enduring grace of this desert gem.
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 