Shutter Mike Photography

I have lived in Arizona for 30 some years and yet I feel like there is so much of it that I have yet to discover.  I stumbled upon Arivaca Cienega by accident while on an aimless drive in Southern Arizona.  Part of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (which is now on my list of places to explore and photograph further), cienega translates from Spanish as swamp or drowned land.  This makes perfect sense as this area consists of wetlands with abundant bird life and has been designated by the National Audubon Society as an IBA – Important Bird Area.  If you are into birding or not, Arivaca Cienega is a great area for hiking and photographing.

Heard Museum – Phoenix, AZ

The Heard Museum in Phoenix celebrates Native American culture, heritage and art.  The museum sits in central Phoenix and houses both permanent and rotating exhibits of ancient and modern Native American art.  The original  buildings of the museum complex have undergone numerous renovations and expansions since the early 20th century and now include both indoor and outdoor spaces that act as an ode to Native American culture as well as a gathering place in central Phoenix.