Tucson Sunset

One of my favorite cities for beautiful sunsets in Tucson, Arizona.  I don't know why, meteorologically speaking, it sports some spectacular skies as the sun sets but I just know it's totally awesome.


"Tuscon Sunset"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Evening Sky

Evenings along the Rio Grande River in New Mexico offers some awesome sunsets.  I spotted these clouds just outside Rio Rancho, a small community just north of Albuquerque.  Make sure you always have your camera with you when you're in the Land of Enchanment.

"Evening Sky"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Monsoon Sunset

This time of year the Southwest gets moisture coming up from the Gulf of California creating monsoons.  Sometimes we just get big clouds, other times it's rain and thunder and lightening.  Tonight it was just clouds here in the desert.  But they were certainly colorful.

"Monsoon Sunset"   © Kathy Dunham 2010

Sunset in Tucson

Tuscon is known for it's beautiful sunsets.  Everything takes on a golden glow as the sun dips in the horizon.  It's a photographer's delight.

"Sunset in Tucson"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Tahitian Sunset

The colors of this flower remind me of the colors I've seen at sunset in Tahiti.  Rich and warm.  Over a tropical blue ocean.  Ahhhhh..... to be sitting on the beach now with a cool drink in my hand. 

"Tahitian Sunset"   © Kathy Dunham 2010

Evening Light

Evenings in the desert are the best.  The light is spectacular and the unique shadows that are created by the landscape provide never ending entertainment.  As the seasons change, so do the shadows.

"Evening Light"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

November in the Desert

We don't always get spectacular sunsets in our desert but tonight it was a real knock out. 


"November in the Desert"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Catalina Mountians at Sunset

Sunset in Tucson offers a multitude of awesome sights.  No matter which way you look, north, south, east or west, the fading rays of the sun paint colorful portraits.  Just be sure to carry your camera.

"Catalina Mountains at Sunset"     © Kathy Dunham 2009

Sunset in Tucson

I've joined some friends in Tucson to shoot photos and enjoy the scenery. It's been several years since I've been here and the town is growing. Today we spent most of the day driving and seeing the rural sights near the Mexican border. I mean dirt road rural and cattle ranches. It was beautiful. But not as gorgeous as the sunset that awaited us when we returned to Tucson.

"Sunset in Tucson" Kathy Dunham

Evening Rays

One good sunset deserves another. We do get some super sunsets here in the desert.

"Evening Rays" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Another Desert Sunset

I was visiting my friend Joanne tonight and caught this colorful sunset. It may be hot here in the summer but we do have some spectacular scenery.

"Another Desert Sunset" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Sunset on the Rice Paddies

An artist friend and I were driving around the southern end of the Coachella Valley this evening looking for subjects to draw when I spotted this sunset on flooded rice fields. Too good to pass up.

"Sunset on the Rice Paddies" © Kathy Dunham 2009

After the Storm

On my agenda today was a "Plein air" class in watercolor for 7 students. Teaching outdoors is challenging at best but we'd had some rain Thursday night with sprinkles predicted through Saturday. Since Friday was pretty nice, sunny with clouds, and with stars showing when I went to bed, I had plenty of confidence for a decent day. Well, at 5 a.m. I was rudely awakened by pouring rain. Being the optimist that I am, I told myself, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. By the time I left home it was barely misting. But I live 25 miles from our painting location. Everyone showed up, we found some cover, we had a little sun and some rain, a great lunch, more painting and a thoroughly great experience. By the time I returned home, I was rewarded with this beautiful scene of the clouds across the valley at sunset.

"After the Storm" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Winter Sunset

I must admit that living in the desert offers some pretty spectacular scenery. We don't get a lot of clouds out our way, but tonight, as I was leaving Staples, I spotted this beautiful sunset. The clouds rarely make it over those tall mountains in the west and I'm sure these were a long way out there, but combined with the setting sun and the palm tree silhouette, the red sky was a knock out.

"Winter Sunset" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Victoria Sunset

My friend Susan came to dinner tonight and we started reminiscing about our cruises to Alaska. I had heard so much about the beautiful garden city of Victoria, B.C. that we decided to go early and spend a few days enjoying the flowers before our ship departed from Vancouver. Susan's a photographer who specializes in flowers so this was a no brainer for the two of us. Butchart Gardens and the beautiful downtown area of Victoria are a flower lover's delight. This shot was taken at sunset just as the lights that outline the Parliament building were coming on.

"Victoria Sunset" © Kathy Dunham 2008