Agua Caliente to La Milagrosa Canyon Trail Loop – 2/7/2016

A strange desert monster. February 2016.
A strange desert monster. February 2016.

The La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop is not a pristine wilderness experience – the walk thru the neighborhood at the beginning and end, old fence line, tanks, views of the city – but don’t be be fooled, the saguaros, flowers, water, big canyon walls and fun trails are too good resist…

Falling water in La Milagrosa Canyon. February 2016.
Falling water in La Milagrosa Canyon. February 2016.
Saguaro and Sun from the La Milagrosa Trail. February 2016.
Saguaro and Sun from the La Milagrosa Trail. February 2016.

Night, Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon – 12/26/2015

Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon - moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon – moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.

Prison Camp, Thimble Peak, Bear Canyon – 11/28/2015

The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.
The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.

A sea of grass out to the Thimble, a ribbon of color down Sabino Canyon, looking up Bear Canyon to and past the Sycamore Reservoir Dam, back lit Saguaros and sunset light in Bear Canyon – every trip into the mountains is another chance to see something new – even the most familiar places are constantly changing, different light, season, weather, colors, wildlife, plants, friends… – and this was a particularly amazing day.

Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert - from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert – from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight - from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight – from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Bear Canyon - Sunset light and clear blue winter sky - a sea of Saguaros - from the road. November 2015.
Bear Canyon – Sunset light and clear blue winter sky – a sea of Saguaros – from the road. November 2015.

Looking For Toads, Sabino Canyon – 7/26/2015

 

Looking for Toads.
Looking for Toads. July 2015.

By day this pool is unassuming – close to the road and in the middle of a well used area – but at night… Sonoran Desert Toads gather, the fish come closer to the edge of the pool, moonlight streams in and the stars are visible above – magic.

Looking up from Sabino Canyon - stars and clouds, Cottonwoods and Saguaro.
Looking up from Sabino Canyon – stars and clouds, Cottonwoods and Saguaro. July 2015.
Sonoran Desert Toad - one of the largest native North American Toads. July 2015.
Sonoran Desert Toad – one of the largest native North American Toads. July 2015.