We were coming to the end of an automobile trip and had reached south of Payson, Arizona. It was late in the day; everyone was tired and we looked forward to sleeping at home for the first time in a week. When I saw this regal cottonwood tree lit by the sun — circled by a natural vignette — I wanted to turn back straightaway and make photographs. For diplomatic reasons I refrained and continued down the road.

Two years passed before I found myself before the motif again, and in similar lighting. I had more time that day and this image resulted.  Our specimen rises alone in this magnificent fashion, surrounded by immature companions growing below and at some distance away along a creek. Toward sunset on a clear day the cottonwood is ablaze and resembles a torch lifted above a labyrinth of deep shadows.