My first visit to the area was on a moonless night the day before. It was apart of the First 24 Hours with the Canon RP. I wanted to scout for a future Milky Way shot. It didn’t take long to notice the area was burnt out in a recent fire and the regrowth of small vegetation had begun.
At first I thought it was from the evening monsoon I took the Rainbow, Lighting and Dust Storm pictures. The squall started a fire near Canyon lake, but this area is several miles from that region. Later on a quick search revealed it was the lighting caused Superstition Fire.
I visited the First Water Trailhead for the second time for a short walk near dusk. It’s been a while since I have felt like I did when I first got a camera and started exploring Arizona more.
I moved to Phoenix in 1998 and for most of it I didn’t have access to a vehicle. When I did I spent most of the time driving for a living and when the day was through it was time for drinking.
So getting out to take photos is important in that recovery from that tired lifestyle.
I continued my walk and noticed this Saguaro on the right. The trees and brush that provided protection for it earlier in it’s life became kindling for it’s demise. Old Saguaros as tall as they stand are still vulnerable to the flames fueled by dense dry brush.
Apropos for human life. It doesn’t matter who you are or how tall you get, you are still as fragile as the life surrounding you below. The life seemingly below you will bring you down to it’s level. Sometimes in a persons life these fires might just burn a few hairs. Sometimes it will engulf you. We are fortunate to have mobility.
There are those that aren’t as fortunate to get out of the flames. They burn up in their self made pyre. Life doesn’t end in the desert though. The Jojoba is picking itself back up right where it seemingly died.
Not everything belongs here in this stage of regeneration in the Sonoran Desert. Globe chamomile is an invasive species that may look pretty, but stinks and rapidly reproduces competing with native plant species.
Despite the fire life continues in it’s natural beauty as this brittle bush with a single stem contributes to the regrowth of the First Water trail area quickly scorched by wildfire.
