Tonto National Forest March 20, 2023

In search of Wildflowers: My sister and I went up to Bush Highway to look for any and all wildflowers Sunday, March 20. We were in luck to not only find California Poppies blooming everywhere but also see some of the Wild Horses as well.

There are times when more horses are visible from the road but this day there were about 10 somnolently standing in the midst of the poppies.

And a few other flowers

McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Search of Spring Wildflowers

February 28, 2023 My sister and I went to McDowell Mountain Regional Park looking for any wildflowers that might be blooming. We followed the Scenic Trail from the parking lot for the Pemberton Trail. The first wildflower I spotted was the Fiddlehead flower with it's small yellow flowers. As we continued along the trail we encountered other wildflowers here and there until we reached a wash area that had an abundance of Mexican Poppies aldo known as California Poppies. By far our favorite. We enjoyed the view of clouds and the surrounding mountains as well.

Tonto National Forest

February 19, 2023 We drove up to Tonto National Forest Sunday to see

if we could spot the wild horses that run free in the forest. Shortly after turning from Hwy 87 (Beeline Hwy) to Bush Highway we saw cars pulled off the road. Looking at the hills nearby we saw wild horses, I whipped off the road into the parking area and was fortunate enough to find a spot right next to the fence. The area is fenced to keep the horses safe from being hit by the traffic on the highway. Since I had ventured into the fenced area there was a point where the horses were too close for comfort. In fact, they had walked over between me and my route back to the car. By standing still and not startling them they continued to walk further away and opened a path for me to return to the car. We continued on Bush highway to Blue Point Day use area where I saw the pink wildflowers blooming. My sister and I took our lawn chairs and sat along the Salt River listening in the sound of the water rippeling over the rocks and gazing at the clouds and hills around the bend. It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon before returning home to our evening meal.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Adero Canyon

Wednesday, January 11,2023 My sister, Brenda, and I joined our neighbors in going to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park for the "Welcome to the Sonoran Desert" tour. Ranger Evan met us at the parking lot and led us along the Pemberton Trail to the trail that went to the Nature (Visitors) Center. Along the way he identified the Jojoba mail bush

and told us to look for the seed clusters as a way of knowing it was a male. Later he identified a female plant with a dried nut.

He also identified the mesquite

and Creosote bushes.

And the Cholla with these small red buds.

We had beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the lone raven sitting in a leafless tree.

At the Nature center we observed rattlesnakes and scorpions; I didn't choose to take any photos of these animals.

Saguaros, standing sentinel-like, are native only to the Sonoran Desert that extends from Mexico to the Mountains North of the Park and West to California.

January 12, 2023 Adero Canyon About an hour before sunset I drove up to the Adero Canyon trailhead in Adero Canyon. This trailhead is part of the McDowell Mountain Preserve but requires no admission fee. The native plant Brittlebush was in full flower around the parking lot.

and I walked over to the overlook for a view of the canyon, Fountain Hills and Red Mountain.

I then started up the trail to see what views I could get from it.