Wild in Arizona Review

Ron Niebrugge Arizona, Travel 3 Comments

Wild in Arizona - a guide to photographing Arizona's wildflowers.

Wild in Arizona – a guide to photographing Arizona’s wildflowers.

Since we are heading over to Arizona later this week, I thought it was a perfect time to provide a review of this newly released book:  Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers, A Guide to When, Where, and How.

One of the authors, Colleen Miniuk-Sperrry graciously provided me with a copy.  When I met up with her in Arizona next week for a beer I’ll have to share a major complaint that I might as well put out on the table right now – where was the book 10 years ago!  It sure would have saved me a lot of time!

Seriously, this is an outstanding guide book full of wonderful photos, detailed maps with well written driving and hiking directions, along with a ton of information on what blooms where and when.  The layout is simple but elegant and inviting – I wish more guide books shared these traits.   Even though this book has a photography slant with lots of photo advice, I think anyone who spends time in Arizona, photographer or not would enjoy this book.

The book shares information on many places in which I’m not familiar, but look forward to visiting.  Many of the other locations are places that I have spent lots of time chasing wildflowers over the years, so I can say the advice on road, trail and wildflower conditions is spot on.  I’m not surprised, Paul Gill has been photographing Arizona for the likes of Arizona Highways for over 30 years while Colleen adds another 10 plus years of experience photographing Arizona.  Both are full time photographers that know what they are talking about.

 

Comments 3

  1. That was some review. Just one question: can I find the wildflowers as described in the book?

  2. Post
    Author

    Hi Dave, In an average to good year I think you will. I know better by Friday, but I believe this is a poor year so I’m not so sure.

  3. Hi Dave, Ron’s right! We currently have wildflowers in bloom, just not in abundance – a reminder that Mother Nature is still in charge!

    Though we saw a rare and early poppy bloom in the Globe, Superior, and Tucson areas, the rest of the low desert wildflowers are struggling as a result of no measurable rain in almost three months. If you’re interested in keeping tabs on what we’re seeing in the field, visit our “Wild in Arizona” blog: http://wildinarizona.com/wordpress.

    Arizona blooms clear thru September (!!), so even if we don’t see the classic poppies any more, the cactus and trees should start to show their colors soon thru June. Then in late July, in conjunction with the wetter monsoon season, we should see a second, completely independent wildflower bloom in the higher elevations.

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