March 3, 2016 - Kartchner Caverns State Park - Benson, AZ
The desert flora and fauna vary considerably, often over short distances. Access to water and, to a lesser extent, elevation, orientation (south facing vs. north facing hillsides) greatly impact the type and quantity of both plant and animal life.
Hiking in the Sonoran Desert (such as found at Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park)
You might find coyote.
Or Gopher snakes:
Or barrel cactus in crestate form:
Some wildflowers, but a weak year for them:
Or if you are in a hot enough spot, with south facing hillside you can see a Senita Cactus at the far northern reaches of its range (actually in Organ Pipe Cactus Park)
You can see Cactus Wren nests in nasty chainfruit cholla:
Or nursery trees, like the Palo Verde, this one was "nursing" 13 young Saguaro cactii:
Sometimes you see odd stuff, like a golfball resting on top of a saguaro, or a dying cactus that reminded me of the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz.
You can never get enough of the beautiful desert sunsets (taken from our campsite).
Now, 50 miles east of Tucson, we're heading toward the Chihuahuan Desert: Quite a different look:
More agave, century plant, and yucca:
More non-native grass here:
Lots of evidence of mining:
A few deer:
Pink pincushion cactus:
Evidence of ancient human activity, like these grinding holes worn in smooth rock from grinding mesquite seed into flour:
Amazing variety!
