The Church at Tumacacori. La Misión San José de Tumacácori is a Spanish mission that was originally founded in 1691 and was moved to its present site in 1751. Its church, whose remaining structure is pictured here, was built in the early 1800s but was then abandoned by 1850. It was unused after that, and its adobe structure decayed considerably until it became a national monument in 1908. It has been maintained and partially restored as a historic destination ever since.

It is well worth a stop if you’re visiting southern Arizona (it’s just north of Nogales). The church and the remains of its surrounding buildings – plus the small cemetery on the grounds – embody a fascinating glimpse into the regional history, and it’s also kinda picturesque (esp. when captured in invisible light, as it was here from the porch of the small visitor center on the grounds).

Image ©2024 James D. Peterson

Tech info: Nikon D3200 camera (modified for infrared with 590nm filter), Nikon 8-15mm fisheye lens at 15mm, 1/640 sec. at f/11, ISO 200.