Phoenix Mountains Preserve

An early morning hike into the Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Piestewa Peak

I'm lucky to live in central Phoenix and at the same time across the street from fifty square miles of protected Sonoran desert.   What is now the Phoenix Mountains Preserve was not too long ago the northern border of the town.  But as the city boomed and expanded, the park, with its mountain peaks and verdant arroyos, has become a desert oasis in the middle of  the metropolitan sprawl.  I hiked almost six miles, mostly on first-time trails, enjoying beautiful landscapes and a dazzling array of wildflowers.  And I saw some birds and critters too - an early morning start guaranteed that.  I made a loop on Trails 304/8/8A/8D from the end of the Piestewa Peak parking area, hiking Trail 200 and a short spur to get into the park from a private community in the Biltmore area.

Scorpionweed or blue phacelia.  

Cactus wren calling to other wrens.  He's the state bird of Arizona and after the Gambel's quails the most common I saw in the park.

Deeper in the park I started to see bluebonnets among the scorpionweeds.

A view south of sprawling smog-filled downtown Phoenix from higher and deeper in the park. 

I photographed this thinking it was a Mexican gold poppy, but it doesn't seem like it now.  I will have to go back an investigate it as it unfurls!

Chipmunk with Mexican gold poppies.

Poppies in light.

Ocotillo bloom with lone saguaro in the blurred background.

My new favorite desert bird, the black-throated sparrow. I wish I got closer because the light was perfect.  In the end it's a good cropped shot.

The tranquil center of the park with Phoenix's northern suburbs beyond.

Cholla cacti in the morning light.

Bluebonnet close-up. I'm getting a little better at flower photography - it helps to have some good composition and background.

Ocotillo about to bloom. It's another shot with a saguaro as background - its size, color and parallel ribs make a nice effect.

Poppies with scorpionweed. As I photograph more flowers I'm increasing the f-stop more and more to get a wider depth of field.

Rock wren on what else but a rock.  I always make time for a bird shot. He seemed to be calling a mate with raspy squawks.

Desert globemallow, the first I've seen this season. 

Field of scorpionweed in light.

Poppies were the stars of the hike.

There were quite a few expanses of poppies that covered the hillsides, cascading like flowing streams of flowers.

Cluster of blooming ocotillos near the trailhead.

A bee enjoying the blooming desert.