Maricopa and Sand Tank Mts., Arizona
Within Sonoran Desert National Monument
These photos were taken at Sonoran Desert National Monument, a remarkably
pristine patch of BLM land about an hour south of Phoenix. The monument encompasses
the Maricopa Mts., including the South Maricopa Mts. Wilderness where most of these
images were captured. Just south of the Maricopa Mts., and also within Sonoran
Desert National Monument, are the wonderfully wild Sand Tank Mts. All
the photos showing spring wildflowers are from the Sand Tanks.


A cholla skeleton and saguaro cactus in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness at Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona.
  Cholla and saguaro cacti at sunset in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness, part of Sonoran Desert National Monument in southern Arizona.   Cholla cactus at sunset in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness, part of Sonoran Desert National Monument in southern Arizona.   Mexican Goldpoppies and a saguaro in the spring in the Sand Tank Mts., Arizona.  

  A cholla skeleton and saguaro cactus in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness at Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona.   A cholla skeleton and saguaro cactus in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness at Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona.   A cholla skeleton and saguaro cactus in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness at Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona.
   

    Cholla and saguaro cacti at sunset in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness, part of Sonoran Desert National Monument in southern Arizona.   A saguaro in front of a cholla, when photographed as a silhouette, creates the illusion of a hybrid "choguaro".   A cholla skeleton and saguaro cactus in the South Maricopa Mt. Wilderness at Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona.