Some of the more exotic birds are not here yet, but we have seen a lot of the most common bird in the canyon, which is called the Phainopepla
We've also seen a few woodpeckers. They like to make holes in the saguaros, which then become nests for other species. They also like to peck on the metal chimney of our condo fireplace. Thank goodness they don't appear to be out at night.
Verdons are now getting more common.
And there are always some familiar and colorful cardinals
We have made the walk to the Sabino Falls overlook. From there one usually points the camera at the Falls.
For a change of pace here's a shot back over the saguaros and out into the city of Tucson proper. You can see the bowl shaped valley that is ringed by foothills and then higher mountains.
With a couple of rains in the past two weeks a few flowers are beginning to bloom. These were our first fiddlenecks. There will be zillions of them shortly.
Close up they are furry stemmed fellows and the flowers are less than half the size of your little fingernail.
Our first Globe Mallow
And our first poppy. Again there will be hordes of them later.
There is a lot of brittlebush in the canyon and they will soon be sporting gorgeous yellow flowers. This was an early bloomer this year.
Desert plants have a tough life, but this saguaro takes the cake. It seems to have taken root in solid rock. .
We've just looked at some firsts, but there are also lasts in the desert. Here a prickly pear shows us how the environment both blooms and consumes.
Let's finish with one of my favorite desert shots from Sabino Canyon this year so far. I love the clouds, the shadows on the mountains and the cacti in the foreground.
It is now time to get out of the hills and think about dinner.
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