My favorite Tucson photos of 2011

My favorite Tucson photos of 2011!

It took me quite a bit longer than I thought to narrow this list down. It helped when I decided to not have any people photos. I don't like taking pictures of people that much anyway, but having kids my wife frequently makes me. I then eliminated any photos that were taken more than one hour from Tucson. I originally wanted a top 10, but I couldn't decide which two to eliminate. I decided that an even dozen should be appropriate. According to my wife I take way too many pictures. I count only 25,173 photos that I've kept from 2011. On average, I delete 80-90 percent of the photos I take. If I take the lower of that range it means I took about 125,000 photographs for the year. Several years ago I would have agreed with my wife. Now I think that's about right or maybe even a little low. Funny how our opinions change.

These are not in any kind of order but I would like to know which is your favorite.

Orange Rays - Taken August 17th, 2011 on the far northeast side of Tucson. I've never seen rays shoot across the sky like they did this night. It was absolutely incredible but only lasted about 20 seconds.

Aravaipa Canyon - Taken June 17th, 2011. I never knew this canyon existed until a friend mentioned it in March of 2011. After two visits this year to this somewhat isolated area, it's already become one of my favorite spots in all of Arizona. Red canyon walls covered with saguaros stand high above the lower canyon with lots of beautiful trees and a river that runs year round. It is twelve and a half miles long and has many side canyons. Permits are required to visit this area and the number of visitors is limited to 50 per day.

Peaking Out - Taken December 2nd, 2011 in Catalina State Park on the northwest side of Tucson. After a morning of showing homes in Oro Valley I decided to visit Catalina State Park. Over 30 years of living in Tucson and I'd never been there. It's not very big, mostly a lot of hiking trails heading up into the Catalina Mountains. It did have some nice fall colors but the low hanging clouds hanging on the mountains were what really caught my eye. Many of the peaks were jutting up through the clouds just perfectly.

Seven Falls - Taken 12-29-2011. Seven Falls is located up Bear Canyon in the Catalina Mountains on the north side of Tucson. It's a 7.8 mile hike round trip from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. It only runs during the rainy season and when the snow melts. The rocks in this area are slick so please be careful. There actually are seven waterfalls in a row as it comes down the canyon. This one is near the bottom.

Fall Colors in Tucson - Taken November 16th, 2011 at the top of Mount Lemmon. Most of the fall colors had already faded, but this one stand on Aspens was still holding on to that beautiful yellow. Arizona is now real well known for its fall colors but there are some areas that should be.

Sentinels of The Desert - Taken February 26th, 2011 in Saguaro National Park on the west side of Tucson, Arizona. I remember this vividly. My wife and kids were out of town visiting my in-laws for a few days. It started out early with me taking pictures of a spectacular sunrise in Saguaro National Park East. There are two Saguaro National Parks, one on the east side of Tucson and one on the west. They're actually quite different other than there are lots of......saguaros, of course. I was then busy working all day and all over town, showing houses. At about 5pm I was heading home when I remembered no one was there. Why go home and be alone with nothing but the television? So I turned around and headed out to Saguaro National Park West. I got there just in time as the sun was setting. This is just one of the photographs from this incredible evening. I was on such a high that, after sunset, I went to downtown Tucson and took some night shots.

I-10 Madness - Taken August 24th, 2011 at Vail Road and Interstate 10. At about 5:45 this afternoon an insane storm hit Tucson. Unfortunately, my son's school had a mandatory "if you want to play sports" thing. On the way there I was staring at a double rainbow with lightning flashing in the middle. The worst thing about being a father is that you have to show a good example and go to these things (and not complain about it...at least not in front of the kids). I guess doing the right thing was rewarded later this evening as a nice little storm was brewing down south in Vail. I couldn't find any decent saguaros, just a bunch of ugly ones. So I figured the freeway would make a decent foreground with all the light trails from the cars flying by.

The Doorway - Taken May 8th, 2011. Certain parts of downtown Tucson are known for their old world charm. The best of these neighborhoods were built prior to 1940 and still retain that classic feel. This doorway caught my eye while showing homes in one of these old neighborhoods.

Fall Reflections in Sabino Canyon - Taken October 29th, 2011. Sabino Canyon is the perfect outdoor getaway in Tucson. Beautiful canyon walls shoot up and water runs through the creek most of the year. It is heavily visited but with so much space you can still find an isolated area for yourself.

Desert Irony - Taken February 5th, 2011. Every three to four years it snows in Tucson creating a highly unusual scene. The cactus and desert vegetation take on the ususual snow-covered appearance and everyone picks up their camera. One has to get out early though. The snow is always gone by 10am if not sooner.

Blackett's Ridge - Taken August 10th, 2011. This ridge requires a fairly difficult hike. Leaving from Sabino Canyon Recreation area it's about 6.5 miles round trip and is quite steep rising high up for incredible views of Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon and the City of Tucson.

The Ultimate Light Show - The most incredible lightning storm hit Tucson on the night of August 2nd, 2011. It started around 7pm and lasted the entire night. It was still going at 7am the next morning. This is a 2 minute exposure taken from the southeast side of Tucson looking out over Vail. Having lived in Tucson for over 30 years I've never seen a storm quite like it.

My passion for photography continues to grow. Thankfully I live in a beautiful area, abounding with photographic opportunities. Having grown up in Tucson, I am only now beginning to realize just how beautiful this place is.

Thank you for letting me share these photographs with you. Please let me know which one is your favorite and why.

If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in Tucson,

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to show what I can

do for you.

Please call me at 520-907-6760.

Greg McCown

Century 21 1st American

(520) 907-6760

www.gregmccown.com