Circles in the Sky

As I left our house for my morning walk this morning, I looked up and saw clouds forming two big circles in the sky.  Just beautiful!

Blooming Agave

This octopus agave is blooming in our back yard.  We watched the flower stalk grow up and up, to about 15’.  My 12’ tape measure was too short.  The yellow flowers are beautiful!

Gila Monster

I saw this Gila Monster while on my walk this afternoon.  It’s bright orange and black markings were clearly visible on the asphalt street.  It was calm while I walked all around it, snapping photos.

Daily Walk

I have continued my daily walks - 3.5-4 miles/day.  The desert floor is in bloom with yellow brittle bush wildflowers.  High in the Catalina Mountains, there are large swaths of yellow flowers, most likely brittle bush.  I am grateful to get out in this beautiful weather for my daily walks.

Daffodils

They scream springtime, in their fragrance and wide open faces with petals forming a star.  We are enjoying this bouquet of daffodils on our breakfast table.  

Road to Ironwood Forest National Monument

On Sunday afternoon, Papa and I drove to the north end of Ironwood Forest National Monument.  The desert views were beautiful.

Wildflowers

Papa biked yesterday and saw beautiful wildflowers along The Loop that he wanted me to see.  We left mid morning for El Rio Preserve, a park located on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.  “In 1774, Juan Bautista de Anza, commander of the Royal Presidio of Tubac, successfully explored an overland route from Sonora, Mexico into Alta or Upper California.  The expedition showed it was possible to transport livestock, goods, and people overland from Sonora to new settlements in California.  The viceroy of New Spain authorized Anza to lead a 1775-76 expedition to settle the port of San Francisco, over 1000 miles.  At the journey’s end, 198 people, over half of them children under 12, stayed to build the Presidio of San Francisco.  In addition to founding San Francisco, de Anza expedition members helped start the settlements of San Jose and Los Angeles. Tohono O’odham, the Native American inhabitants of the region, acted as guides and interpreters vital to the Anza expedition.”  Next to El Rio Preserve is a field of  Tohono O'odham ruins, where artifacts have been found.

We enjoyed the beautiful pond, with egrets, ducks, and a blue heron.  The wildflowers were exquisite!