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Saturday Night in the Desert: Setting Sun Paints Thimble Rock Purple

Thimble Rock (northeast Tucson) half an hour before sunset

We spent an enjoyable evening with friends on Tucson's northeast side, but we were half an hour early. What to do? The sun was setting, and Darlin' and I drove up Sabino Canyon road to get a photo of Thimble Rock. This photo above shows the formation at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Thimble Rock from a different perspective, just as the sun was setting

45 minutes later, we were a mile away, perhaps 300 feet higher in elevation, and the sun was very low in the sky. As the sun set, I took this picture of Thimble Rock. It's there on the right. As the sun goes down, the mountains turn pink, then blue, and finally purple. There's not a prettier place on the planet, IMHO. Come visit anytime!

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

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Posted by Mike Jones on 11/29/2008 10:39 PM

Comments (35)

Thimble Rock in the Regional (Localism) Channel

tucson mortgage, mike in tucson, thimble rock in tucson, arizona

Originally posted at: Tucson By Choice!: Saturday Night in the Desert: Setting Sun Paints Thimble Rock Purple

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35 Comments on Saturday Night in the Desert: Setting Sun Paints Thimble Rock Purple

NOV

2008

Mike,

That is stunning. Usually we look at the sky for pretty sunsets. Here we look at the landscapes. Very nice. :)

STeve

Purple mountain majesty...

Amazing what you see when you look at the effect of a sunset on the surrounding landscape, no matter what it is.

Just absolutely amazing. Beautiful photo. Look at those colors, it's difficult to paint a picture that pretty. Nature is just amazing, thanks for posting for us to see!

Way to go shutterbug. Bye for now.

NOV

2008

Mike, I love coming to your blog for several reasons... not the least of which is the incredible photography. Very nicely done...

Goodness. I didn't see any of these beautiful locations on my one trip some years ago to AZ. I was in the Phoenix area which was relatively flat.

Mike,

Brenda and I are originally from Michigan, there is no place prettier. When we first moved to Nevada we lived at Lake Tahoe, it was almost as nice as Michigan. Then we moved to Southern Nevada, to the desert, the stark reality of the land scape was depressing. Then as we spent more time the incredible beauty showed it self! To two people use to changing scenery four times a year it takes some getting use to! The desert changes four times an hour!

The desert is like watching a slow turning kaleidoscope, constantly changing colors and shapes. It's an acquired taste, just as beautiful in it's own way.

Your photos always make me feel good.

Bill

Desert sunsets are always amazing to me. It never gets old..

Mike,

Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures!

Mike, beautiful photos! Thank you.

Patricia,

Thanks for the encouragement! Come by any time.

Gerry,

Ditto! You're very welcome!

Larry,

And that's the truth!

Bill,

We have kids and grandkids in Romeo, and we enjoy the Bruce Peninsula on the Canadian side. Thanks for the comment!

Lenn,

Well, you'll just have to come visit!
(Your paintings are beautiful.)

Jesse,

Thanks, my friend! We had dinner that evening with Army and Air Force friends, and one couple is stationed in Alaska.

Kevin,

Well, shucks!

April,

I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Doreen,

Purple mountains' majesty! Thanks for commenting.

Steve,

You were the first to comment. That's special! Come on back any time.

Mike in Tucson

Mike- Very pretty indeed. I love to look at pictures of mountains, but I really physically don't handle them well. The most sick I have every felt was my trip to the grand canyon. It was beautiful and I was sick for about 12 hours after looking over the edge. Mountains have the same effect on me, so keep the pictures coming. It's almost like I got to visit.

DEC

2008

LOL. Thank you sir. I kinda missed that one didn't I? Still America The Beautiful right here in AZ.

Doreen,

It is America the Beautiful. I started humming the tune when I read your first comment! Thanks, and you have a great day.

Tammy,

Thanks for coming by to comment; sounds like you're a flatlander! We'll keep the pics coming for you!

Mike in Tucson

Mike - Gorgeous! Love the colors and the majestic scenery. I've only seen tidbits of Arizona. Obviously, I need to get back there and see more!

What an amazing change in colors! The desert has the best color palette and you seem to have a knack for capturing them.

Mike, beautiful photos, thank you for sharing.

Mike, awesome photos.... I'm actually taking a class in February to learn all of the ins and outs of my camera. The desert, though, and its beautiful colors just wait for someone to enjoy their beauty. ;-)

Teri,

So cool that you're taking a class! I'm hoping you'll blog about it and join a few photography groups here in the Rain.

Julie,

You're very welcome.

Terri,

The desert does have an amazing palette. Thanks for commenting.

Karen,

Come on down!

Mike in Tucson

DEC

2008

Mike - what absolutely stunning photos you have captured. The colors are incredible!

Great photos of my backyard, Mike! I've got to get a zoom lens now...but I think the handheld GPS is on the list first.

Great shot, Mike! My husband once climbed Thimble Rock! Hmmm...or so he says!

Debi

DEC

Debi,

Well, he probably took a camera with him! Make him show you the photos! LOL

Kent,

That's right; you live near here now. My little Panasonic Lumix has a 10X Leica zoom. Santa can find one at Costco for around $200.

Sharon,

This is such a beautiful part of the world to live in; come visit!

Mike in Tucson

Mike, Thank you ! Purple is my favorite color!! Verrrrry Beautiful!

Mike-

Awesome capture, I love the super saturated colors of the mountains! Thanks for sharing and I am marking this as a featured post in the Things to Do/Places to Visit group, Great Job.

Happy Holidays!

Mike - a few more of these gloomy foggy cold days and I just might do that! This California transplant NEEDS her sunshine!

DEC

Gorgeous scenery Mike, it is hard to believe it could change so drastically in such a short time. Thanks so much for taking us along with you on your drive.....

DEC

WOW - I have heard tales of painted deserts, but never seen such beautiful photos! thanks for sharing!

DEC

Barbara Jo,

Scenes like this are why we put up with the scorcher summers! It's just beautiful.

Bonnie,

You're welcome! Thanks for subscribing!

Karen,

It was 78 and clear when you called this afternoon; thanks for the referral!

Bryant,

Thanks for featuring my post in your group!

Caren,

The color is right out of the song "America the Beautiful!"

Mike in Tucson

DEC

Quite gorgeous. So that is where those "purple mountains majesty" are. I've always wondered. I've been trying to visit all the places mentioned in various songs -- makes a great travel to-do list. I finally visited all the California beaches mentioned in The Beach Boys's songs. Now I know where to go for those "purple mountains majesty." I might need a docent, though. You available? LOL

Russel,

Don't make a trip without calling first! Re the purple mountains majesty, the Colorado folks think they have dibs on that. We don't agree!

Mike in Tucson

DEC

Mike- these are fantastic!!! God sure created some amazing places for us to enjoy!

JB,

That thought makes me thankful for each new day! Thanks for commenting.

Mike in Tucson

DEC

As always Mike, you take the most incredible pictures. Thanks for sharing!

Cheron Lange

Wow, those are beautiful photographs. You should visit St. George Utah some time and check out our breathtaking red rocks. Snow Canyon State Park is just about 8 miles west of town.

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