Mike in the Wild

We're lucky to have in the middle of the Phoenix metropolitan sprawl a world-class desert plant museum and education center.  The Desert Botanical Garden's collections of cacti, succulents, trees and plants from all the globe's arid regions are arranged in a multitude of beautiful landscapes, habitats and gardens.  Unsurprisingly, the desert flora attracts a multitude of critters that include many birds, both resident and migratory. But the park of course makes money and needs to attract the people that spend it.  So the garden also has restaurants, shops, art galleries and regular events like the holiday season's Las Noces de las Luminarias when luminaria bags, strings of lights and live bands overtake the peace and calm you might associate with the grounds.  And over at least the last ten years there have been frequent but temporary art installations that have placed contemporary sculptures and lights throughout the desert landscape. As a wildlife and nature lo...

After almost a week of near-record heat, I took a hike back into the neighboring park to see the effect on the blooms and landscape. It wasn't a difficult choice of excursions, as the trails of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve are an easy walk from my community. And even on a hot day, the morning weather is still perfect.  While I accessed the mountains the same way, I took a different route on the hike, exploring higher in the park.  But I didn't venture as high as Piestewa Peak, the 2,600 foot signature feature of the preserve. It's a steep 1,200 foot ascent from its trailhead and is more of an aerobic work-out than a nature walk. Nonetheless I covered more than six miles, enjoying new views and discoveries.  While Mexican gold poppies have definitely peaked in this area, there are other new blooms and the loud cacophony of birds reminding us it is indeed Spring in the desert. Starting at the very last parking area, I made a circle on the north loop of  Trail ...

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...