Peace in the Valley

Sometimes it's nice to just be a part of something bigger than yourself, something close to nature.
Sunsets are one of those experiences that last only a short time but have so many different faces.
There's nothing quite like finding a quiet spot and watching to see nature do it's thing as if it's just for you.

An amazing change in the color of the landscape in seconds.
At this point we can tell it will be a good show.
The road rises to meet the setting sun.




On this outing we saw coyote, night hawks, rabbits, many song birds and a Gila Monster.

Roadrunner

It's amazing what runs in front of my window on any given day.
It's difficult to get a roadrunner to stand still long enough to take their picture as they are constantly moving.
Usually you just see a fleeting dash across the road up ahead.

Wildlife along McCain Loop Road

Such grace!
Red Tailed Hawk on the hunt.

As soon as we arrived we spotted two coyotes crossing the road. Next we came upon the Red Tail sitting on a Saguaro surveying the surrounding desert. There were many song birds and another small hawk,that looked like a Kestrel but it was gone too quickly to be sure. There were of course many, many doves everywhere! It was very hot,almost 100 degrees and the sun was very intense as usual.

This coyote shows little concern that it is being watched.

Evening Sky

We took a short ride into Tucson Mountain Park to do a little bird watching and to see if we could spot any four legged creatures.
It had rained a little earlier which never happens in June and it was still mostly cloudy.
The temperature was a bit on the cool side but for an easterner it felt great.



We saw three of these four legged friends stroll by. This one wanted to know what all the clicking was about.


The evening winds down.

Yellow Grosbeak

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Here are a few shots of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge that I took on Saturday. We did not get to explore but I plan to return in the fall when the temperatures drop back to a reasonable level. Buenos Aries is home to a number of endangered species including masked bobwhite quail and the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl.
With a great deal of luck you might also see pronghorn or a mountain lion.
The refuge is 118,000 acres.

Elk Horn Fire

We took a ride into Buenos Aries National Wildlife Refuge to see the fire in the Baboquivari Mountains. It was very windy and the smoke can be seen for miles. At this point it is 9 miles from Kitt Peak. Buenos Aries is a very unusual place with many endangered species programs.

Catalina Highway The Road to Mt. Lemmon

At the beginning of our climb the vegetation is desert saguaro, ocotillo, and other cactus and shrubs.
Looking back at the valley.
A short distance later there is an area where due to runoff during the rains the plants are greener and more varied. Can you spot the deer?
Thimble Peak. Not to far up the mountain the saguaro and the ocotillo disappear and the landscape is very different.
The road rises past the Seven Cataracts Vista turn out.
We stopped at this picnic area to have a bite to eat and enjoy the Ponderosa Pines and the birds. We were hoping to see a bear but it was not to be on this trip although there are signs warning of bear country everywhere.
Our next stop was at this rock arch formation with the pines in the rear.

The mountains below and the valley beyond from Windy Point. Truly breathtaking!

Lots of evidence of the burn area just up the road.
Even at 8000 feet some cactus find a niche.
Recovering five years after the fire. Can you spot the wild turkey?
We turned around and headed down the mountain taking more pictures as we went.

Birds on the Mountain

Yellow Eyed Junco
Mexican Jay These guys show up where ever there might be an easy meal.

Spotted Towhee It is really exciting to see so many different birds when we visit one of the "Sky Islands" . As you climb up from the valley the changes in the vegetation are remarkable. My favorites are the Ponderosa Pines at 6 to 8000 feet. When we left the valley it was in the 80's at 9:30 A.M. and as we ascended the mountain it dropped down to a refreshing 57 degrees!