SHE HAS AMAZING FOCUS

While most photographers head to the Chiricahua Mountains for the broad panoramas of deep canyons, sharp ridges and perpendicular rock formations, Eirini Pajak looks for the little things, including violets, irises and pinesaps. She prefers the close-ups, and when it comes to shooting with a macro lens, nobody does it better than Eirini.

A PORTFOLIO BY EIRINI PAJAK

At the Chiricahuas' Barfoot Park, a National Natural Landmark known for its plant diversity, Pajak spotted a northern bog violet (Viola nephrophylla, top, left), along with a Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis, right). At nearby Rustler Park, she photographed pinesaps (Monotropa hypopitys, top, right) and a cardinal catchfly (Silene laciniata, above).

The Cochise adder's-mouth orchid (Malaxis porphyrea) is common in Central America but rare in Arizona. "Like several other orchids in the state, it's quite hard to notice, even if you're standing right next to it," Pajak says. "I photographed this one during a monsoon storm. I was literally squeezing buckets of water out of my skirt afterward." AH