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

By
Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

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.
Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.
Call me if I can help:  (520) 349-9090

Comments(35)

Terri Visser
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
CRS - 12 Years Selling Central Oregon Real Estate

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

Dec 01, 2008 11:59 AM
Julie Staradumsky
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Northfield, NJ
CREN

Mike, beautiful photos, thank you for sharing.

Dec 01, 2008 01:22 PM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

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. ;-)

Pepper

Dec 01, 2008 02:19 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

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 01, 2008 02:39 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

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

Dec 02, 2008 01:42 AM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

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.

Dec 02, 2008 01:44 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

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

Debi

Dec 02, 2008 03:03 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

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

Dec 02, 2008 10:10 PM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

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

Dec 03, 2008 01:36 AM
Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography - Bryant Payden
B. Payden Photography, LLC - Manassas, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography

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!

Dec 03, 2008 04:58 AM
Karen Cooper
Karen Cooper | Sr Mortgage Loan Originator ! NMLS # 223305 | First Federal Bank of Florida, Ocala, FL - The Villages, FL
Helping Homeowners w/Home Loans in 27 US States

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

Dec 03, 2008 07:50 AM
Bonnie & Terry Westbrook
Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI
Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

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 04, 2008 11:46 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

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

Dec 05, 2008 08:36 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

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 05, 2008 09:25 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

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

Dec 09, 2008 09:36 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

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 10, 2008 01:05 AM
JB Brookman
JB Brookman Photography - Franklin, TN
High School Senior Portrait Photographer

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

Dec 15, 2008 01:50 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

JB,

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

Mike in Tucson

Dec 15, 2008 02:04 PM
Michael and Cheron Lange
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
Associate Broker, GRI

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

Cheron Lange

Dec 16, 2008 04:45 AM
Erika Rogers
Red Rock Real Estate ~ Southern Utah's Largest Independent Brokerage - Saint George, UT
St George Utah Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

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.

Dec 16, 2008 12:18 PM