Scottsdale Waterfront, Southbridge

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos, Travel 10 Comments

Scottsdale Waterfront, Southbridge

This is the new Southbridge area of the Scottsdale Waterfront, Arizona.

There is a reason I live over a hundred miles from the nearest stop light – I don’t have much patience for traffic!  This is one aspect I dread when it comes time to city photography.  I try to remind myself that all the people around me sitting in their little artificial automobile environments put up with traffic delays all year around, surely I can do it for one day.  That reasoning doesn’t usually help for long.  So here is my solution.Read More

Spring Training Cactus League

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos 6 Comments

Seattle Mariners

I figured I can’t photograph the Phoenix area in spring and not include spring training baseball!

Here are Seattle Mariners signing autographs before a game with San Diego.  The two teams share a facility in Peoria.  It is pretty cool seeing some of the players taking the time to sign so many autographs for the kids at the ballpark.

Desert Tortoise

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos, Travel, Wildlife 9 Comments

Desert Tortoise

Desert Tortoise.

I was thrilled to finally see a wild desert tortoise last weekend.  On top of being a threaten species, these tortoise spend more then 95% below ground in burrows.  That combination makes them a rare sight.

I spotted one while mountain biking last weekend, but by the time I returned to my vehicle and grabbed my camera, I was unable to find her.  I have looked for her everyday since then – how far can a tortoise go!  I finally spotted her again yesterday while doing some more mountain biking photos.  This time I had my camera –   what a treat! 

Saguaro Lake

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos, Travel 10 Comments

Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake, Tonto National Forest, Arizona.

Always seems strange to see lakes in such a dry environment.

The normal high here this time of year is 77 degrees – this week it has been pushing records highs, with temperatures in the upper 80’s.  Unfortunately it is really cooking the wildflowers.  I have been concentrating entirely on scenics with flowers – the travel, city, recreation and wildlife stuff can wait until the wildflowers are gone, which may not be long.

Phoenix Area Wildflower Current Conditions

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos, Travel 6 Comments

Phoenix Area Wildflower Current Conditions

We have traveled all the way to Globe, and I must say the best wildflowers in the Phoenix area are in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, and out at Saguaro Lake.  Granted, there are a lot of areas left for us to explore, I’m sure there are other jewels, but you can’t go wrong with these two locations.

 I love the rich colors and textures in the landscape right now.  This photo is from McDowell.  I hope to post a photo from Saguaro Lake tomorrow.

Check out our Phoenix Photos.

Mountain Biking

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Phoenix, Photos, Travel 9 Comments

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking on the Competitive Trails in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, near Phoenix, Arizona.

I have tried shooting from my bike while using a slow shutter speed before, with poor results.  I think having the trail lined with bright, colorful poppies really helped this attempt.  These trails are really fun!

Here are more mountain biking photos.