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22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Mystical Chollas

This photograph was taken at the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, Arizona, during an unforgettable blue hour. Stepping out of the car, I was enveloped in an almost otherworldly scene—soft light and fog shrouded the landscape in a mystical glow. As I hiked up the Treasure Loop Trail, the fog deepened, casting an ominous aura over the rocky terrain. The spiky chollas scattered across the mountains enhanced the surreal atmosphere, creating a moment of eerie beauty.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Apache Junction, Arizona, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D750
Copyright: © Carrick Webb