
Colorful Cactus Blooms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
When most people think of Arizona, they picture dry dusty deserts and sprawling cities. It’s hot. It’s brown. It’s inhospitable. There are endless rows of look-alike stucco homes. Many people might be unaware that the desert bursts with color in the spring. Arizona isn’t just brown, there are vibrant greens, blues, reds, yellows, purples and other colors, especially in the spring, which is my favorite season in the state.
Arizona isn’t all desert, either. While it may be best known for the Grand Canyon, you might be surprised to learn that the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world is in Arizona. There are tall mountains and even winter skiing. The state is full of surprises. It’s one reason why I love Arizona and appreciate visiting whenever I can.

Yellow Palo Verde – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
I used to live in Arizona. Back when I was barely an adult, the Air Force sent me to live in Arizona. I met my wife there. My first two kids were born there. I have a deep fondness for the state. I would love to live there again someday. It’s a wonderful place for photography. I highly recommend grabbing a subscription to Arizona Highways magazine to see many wonderful pictures of the state. A fact that you might be surprised to learn is that Ansel Adams was frequently published in that magazine back in the day. Many great photographers were, and still are.
The photographs in this article were captured a few weeks ago. I used my Fujifilm X-T30 camera with a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens and a Fujinon 90mm f/2 lens, which are both excellent examples of Fujifilm’s great glass that they’ve become renown for. I hope that you enjoy this variety of photographs that demonstrate there’s more color in Arizona than one might initially think.

Pine In The Sky – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Green Leaves – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Agave Green – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactus & Blue Sky – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Palo Verde In The Windy Blue – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Palm – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Vultures In A Tree – Wickenburg, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Wildflowers & Stone – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Impatient? Stop & Smell – Sedona, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Yellow Rose of Arizona – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Little Bloom Design – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Yellow Blossom Flowers – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Splash of Red Among Green – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Bougainvillea Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Bloom In The Rocks – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Blooming Cactus Landscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Prickly Pears – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Beginning To Blossom Red – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Desert Landscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Spring Saguaro – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Yucca Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactus Blooming Red – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Ball Fruit – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Barrel Cactus – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactiscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Prickled – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Pops of Yellow – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Yellow Desert – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

One Barrel Cactus Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Spiky Blooms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red & Purple Desert Blossoms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
Wow, your photos look fantastic and so colorfully eye-catching
Thank you!
Great cacti! Fab series of photos. The 35 and 90 are my two fave lenses, though my 35 is the older one.
Thanks so much!
Love the colours in these photos Richie. Out of curiosity, which of your film simulation recipes did you use for them? Thanks!
Thank you! These are mostly my new X-T30 Velvia recipe. https://fujixweekly.com/2019/04/25/my-fujifilm-x-t30-velvia-film-simulation-recipe/