Photo by Daniel J. McCauley IV

Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, Daniel J. McCauley IV’s fondest Christmas memories include spending long Saturday afternoons helping his father hang thick, multicolored lightbulbs outside his family’s house and chopping down fresh Christmas trees from a local tree farm to bring home and adorn with cherished ornaments.

“The season also brought us snow and countless school mornings when even the lightest of dustings sent us straight to the radio to intently listen for an announcement of the school day’s cancellation,” McCauley says. “It was truly the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat for every young student. And, of course, we always wished for a white Christmas.”

McCauley moved to Cave Creek more than two decades ago, and although the change of scenery and advancements in technology have altered many holiday traditions, he and his wife still relish the Christmas season just as much as they did when they were younger.

“Our classic Christmas bulbs have become mini-LEDs; our wonderfully aromatic, freshly cut trees have turned artificial; and our wishes for a white Christmas have devolved into prayers that our temperatures do not rise above 70 degrees — but it is still Christmas,” McCauley explains. “We still decorate in abundance — both inside and out — and we look forward to indulging in delicious foods and spending time with friends and family.”

McCauley recently shared with Images Arizona a photo that he believes both encapsulates and entwines the uniqueness of Arizona with the magic of the holiday season.

“This image was the result of pure happenstance,” McCauley says. “One Sunday evening, about a week or so before Christmas, my daughter and I went out to Cave Creek and Carefree to capture some holiday portraits. At some point during our photo shoot, we stumbled upon this cactus, isolated and glowing majestically from its mini-LEDs in the crisp night air. It immediately became my favorite Christmas image and I am blessed that I have the opportunity to share it.”

djm4photography.com
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