Exploring the Grotto and Hoodoos at Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument

Wild Chiricahua's wild hoodoo rocks make a magnificent playground for a nature lover and photographer. David, Ron, Dave and I hiked the Echo Canyon-Hailstone-Ed Riggs Trail Loop through the Grotto, Wall Street, and Echo Park and found much to please and learn about. These fantastic formations are weathered rhyolite (volcanic pumice compressed into rock). Enjoy these images of this rock wonderland.

Pumice is light as a feather (not really).

The Grotto

Wall Street

Cochise's Head (see him lying down)

Me, Cochise and David

Claret Cup Cactus

David at the Grotto

Lunch in the Grotto

The Wild Man of the Chiricahuas

Parting of the Ways in Bowie, AZ (no promised breakfast to be had anywhere)

Two Days Exploring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

The giant Saguaro and Organ Pipe Cactus were blooming as I arrived at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument along the Mexico-Arizona border. At one point I was right at the four-foot-high fence with one strand of barbed wire separating me from Mexico Highway 2 busy with truck traffic. Border patrol was everywhere and the U.S. Park Service has compassionately placed water caches and emergency locator call buttons in the desert for illegal immigrants abandoned by their Coyote guides. I felt how fortunate I am to be secure and able to enjoy the May beauty of this special Sonoran Desert in bloom with flowers and insects and evening light. Enjoy these images of the desert.