Chandler Neighborhood Shots - Sunset-to-Dusk Cloud Formation

Enthralled by this cloud formation, a little further down the trail I zoomed in a little and recomposed for this shot.  Lucky it was captured, as only a few minutes later the brilliant sunlit scene was lost in the edge of dusk:

Chandler Neighborhood Shots - Reflected Cloud Formation at Sunset

Having said that about the dried-up parks, there are canals that snake through the region that have continuously running water with trails aligning both sides for all to enjoy.  Our son-in-law was eager to show us this one just north of Chandler, in the city of Gilbert.  This is where our dog Koko met a horse for the first time, an introduction that lasted about a millisecond.

What caught my attention here was that awesome cloud formation at sunset, with its brilliant orange hues; as a bonus we have a reflection in the water of the canal.

Chandler Neighborhood Shots - Water Reflections at Pima Park

Having grown up in Orange (TX), then Beaumont, then Nacogdoches, then Houston - places where water abounds and rivers run full - the lifestyles built around living in the Sonora desert is a whole new world to us.  Even more so to my wife, having grown up in the jungles of Taiwan.  So just about everything out here is culturally very interesting.

Such as what you see above.  A look at the water and trails built up above water level points to the first thing that amazed us about life in the desert Southwest.  That is, parks here are engineered to be flooded, and during the hot six-month summer season are routinely inundated via an underground water system to keep the grass alive.  Yes, water percolates up from underneath and the whole place is flooded, turning the park into a huge reflection pool divided by the trails.  Then it takes a few days to dry up, and a couple of weeks later they do it all over again.

More reflection shots below, captured by my iPhone 15 Pro Max:

All of these neighborhood pics, by the way, were captured with the iPhone, as I didn't feel like carrying the Bigger Cahoona around on our neighborhood walks.

Sedona - Bark Pattern on Large Tree at Diamond Point

And finally, sharpened a bit to enhance the bark lines on this tree, which was converted to sepia then black & white below.  This will end the surprisingly short series of keepers taken in and around Sedona.

Sedona - Dead Tree Branches over Red Rocks

Another pic highlighting the enhanced color of wet rocks against a pattern of dead tree branches.

Sedona - Rained-on Rocks on Diamond Peak Trail

It rained on and off the last day we were in Sedona, but we wanted to try a trail around Diamond Peak in spite of the fact that we'd probably get wet.  This was within walking distance of the AirB&B, so we traipsed over and found out that everyone was right - the rain does indeed beautifully bring out the color in the rocks!  Due to the rain I didn't get out the Bigger Cahoona (or phone) much, but wanted to capture that color so snuck in a few featuring Chenjean.

Sedona - More Perspectives of Cathedral Rock Formation

Another couple of perspectives of this awesome formation...

Sedona - Cathedral Rock Formation with Highway

 

Sedona - Rooftop Scene with Cathedral Rock Formation

This is a breathtaking formation, the Cathedral.  Snapped many photos of it, several perspectives of which will be posted in the next few days.

Sedona - Rooftop Scene with Valley Clouds

This shot reminded me of a pic that was posted from Alishan in Taiwan.  Love those clouds in the valley.  The dehaze tool in Photoshop was used to bring out the green in the hills beyond and saturated the sky some.