The Desert Speaks

Sometimes the bigger picture is just as amazing as the little one.  Sunset in Saguaro National Park is really wonderful.  If you come to Tucson, make sure you stop here or Gates Pass(or both!) for that wonderful Arizona sky.

It's hard at first to imagine that a desert is full of life because of the overwhelming "brown" color.  Most park visitors from out of state and new to the desert miss the little critters in hiding.  Can you spot the tiny Antelope Ground Squirrel in the pic above?  And for my plant friends, do you remember what those cactus-y twig things are called behind the rocks?  Clue.  Start with an "o" and end with an "o":)  Answer at bottom of the post.

Canyon Towhee

Look closely in and around the vegetation.  There is something always hiding nearby.  But remember not to go digging too much or you may find more than you bargained for:)

Saguaro cactus come in all shapes and sizes.  The above one is dead probably due to a lightning strike during monsoon.  And while they may be dead, they make great perches for hawks and other birds.

And if you listen carefully, you'll hear the desert speak.

Answer: Ocotillo   More tomorrow....

To The Pointy End

Barrel Cactus with red spines.

Taking a break from birds(kind of:), I thought I'd take you to Picacho Peak.  Today's focus?  Pointy ends:)   We paid the 5 bucks to enter the park hoping to film some wildflower action but after a cold rain storm, we discovered that most of the flowers were fried from the frost.  Change of plan. 

Dead Cholla Cactus

So instead I focused my energy on the shots from around the landscape.  These pictures, I believe, capture the pointy and edgy landscape that can do some damage if you're not watching where you walk.

The trail here is not really a birder hike as it is a hiker's hike.  You'll have some great views from around the area....and it is all very beautiful. But some may find this a boring trek.  It's all in the eye of the beholder.  However, I have a good eye and did spot some life in the brown landscape.

Antelope Ground Squirrel

I recommend doing this hike during the cooler months as summer is too hot.  However still remember to bring water all times of the year.

It's amazing how much effort it took to take pictures:)  It was a challenge.  Find something interesting within the theme and force yourself to find those shots. My friend loved all of it and she was going to town with lots of pictures.  She was learning how to use her new camera and was practicing the auto and manual features of the camera.  I searched for angles and the right sunlight conditions to capture a "moment".

So while the Ocotillo didn't have leaves on the stems, they did begin to flower.  Hummers love these blossoms.  Look at how long the tubular flowers are and you'll understand why:)

I also found a manmade art piece along the trail and thought it was interesting.

As for the pic below.....I couldn't decide how to edit it.  I cropped the shot 3 times!

Brown Crested Flycatcher

So I pulled the camera back to give you an overall view from the peak.  It's really quite beautiful but wear a hat and protect your skin with sunblock.  Skin cancer is huge in Arizona because we have so much harsh lighting here.

My favorite shot is below.  It is a dead Saguaro cactus, but the colors remind me of some island art I've seen on my travels.

And as with all things, like this ground squirrel below, it was time to bounce and so we did.  It was a fun hike playing around with cameras, telling jokes, and finding shots along the trail.  I would classify this hike as moderate and give yourself 3-4 hours to do the trail.  More tomorrow.....