Album Arizona, New Mexico, Utah from Robert Swanson

Screenshot

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:15:15 +0000

Screenshot of Google maps satellite view of the calibration target.

See PiP.

Casa Grande, Arizona.

Spy Satellite Target Benchmark

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:32:39 +0000

Taken in the desert near Casa Grande, Arizona. These markers are located close to the RV park where we spent many winters.

The "target" is a group of concrete pads in that shape. There is a benchmark in the exact center. The operators of the spy satellites would take photos of these markers, and then check their locations against the exact positioning of the benchmark.

Image taken with phone and processed with GIMP.

Spy Satellite Target

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:32:12 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Spy Satellite Target

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:32:00 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Spy Satellite Target

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:31:55 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Summer and Fall Together

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 20:30:48 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Taken during our excursion on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. At higher elevations, the trees were just turning, so we get a MIX of summer and fall, all in one photo.

(The theme for Sunday Challenge was "seasons", so we got at least two of them....)

Image processed with GIMP.

Wall of Casa Grande, Arizona (HWW)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:33:06 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

This ancient "building" shows the effects of time and no upkeep. It was a major part of the culture that occupied the Arizona desert in and south of today's Phoenix.

Fortunately, a cover was built over it to protect from further damage.

The walls are made of adobe from the topsoil of the desert. It must have taken quite a large group of people to excavate, form the adobe "bricks" and then erect the walls of this structure.

If you are in Arizona, be sure to visit the National Monument.

www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm

Image processed with GIMP.

Berries at Farmers' Market, Ogden, Utah, 2014 (H.A.N.W.E.)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 21:27:39 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

I put the older Sigma 70-300 macro lens on my Nikon D700, and wandered around downtown Ogden, Utah. They were having a street fair and farmers' market, so there were plenty of subjects.

I like the selective focus. View in larger size on black background.

(Baskets and Boxes of fruit, for Sunday Challenge)

Image processed with GIMP.

See:

swansonphotos.com/ogden/index.html

Michelin Man (inflated)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:09:07 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

One of the big events of the winter is a "big tent" and thousands of RV's in the Arizona desert.

This inflated Bibendum was part of the scenery.

Image processed with GIMP.

Cholla Sunset

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:44 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Beautiful Arizona sunset with the cholla in silhouette.

Taken from right behind our camped motorhome.

Image processed with GIMP.

Old Spaghetti Factory

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:50 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Our lunch stop. This was in Scottsdale, Arizona. Convenient, the light rail was just outside the door.

Image processed with GIMP.

Sunrise

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:53 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Sunrise in Arizona.

Image processed with GIMP.

"You Are Here"

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:55 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Or are you????

This marker is embedded in the ground at the Phoenix Light Rail stop.

Serious questions arise....

Image processed with GIMP.

Rum n Coke

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:52 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Camping requires at least a camp fire. Also libations. This is a tasty rum and coke with the camp fire shining through.

Image processed with GIMP.

Phoenix Light Rail Stop

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:46 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

There is a fairly extensive light rail system in Phoenix. We parked well out in the suburbs, and took the light rail to town for lunch.

Image processed with GIMP.

"Lost Dutchman" Campsite

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:47 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Various RV's camped in the state park. The magnificent (and scary) mountains form quite a backdrop.

Image processed with GIMP.

Cholla Spines

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:42 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

A desert view, taken at sunset.

Image processed with GIMP.

Geocache Treasure

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:18:39 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

We took a short hike from our motorhome, and found a geocache in the middle of the Arizona desert. (Our friends took a group hike and encountered rattlesnakes. We had a less-exciting walk.)

Image processed with GIMP.

Photographers on the Edge

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:17:42 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

The same image which I had cropped for the famous Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah.

Here are the hikers/photogs who are standing on the edge of the mountain, watching (and shooting) the sunrise.

The PIP shows the Arch itself.

Image processed with GIMP.

Delicate Arch at Sunrise

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:24:58 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

We did not hike up to Delicate Arch; the folks you see in the photo, did. We were at the viewpoint far down in the valley. Used the maximum telephoto with my Panasonic GX85.

The rising sun has just touched 2/3's of the Arch. Some of the photographers on the mountain still have their tripods set up.

Each moment was a different view, as the sun lit various parts of the scene.

Image processed with GIMP. Oh yes, 600mm equivalent Panasonic zoom telephoto. There was a very nice log railing all around the viewpoint area, which I used as a "tripod".