Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA reports

May 17 Cactus are still blooming in some areas. This is the peak time for the saguaro bloom in Tucson, AZ parks. It’s starting to get hot in the deserts so wildflowers will be found at the higher elevations in the deserts.

May 9, 2013 at the far end of Coronado Trail, in Rimrock, AZ. This is an area that was under development until the crash caused all work to stop. Now we have paved roads and amazing access to a wildflower show that changes daily. Take the McGuireville Exit off I-17 and head into McGuireville, Rimrock. McGuireville Road becomes E. Beaver Creek Rd. Stay on the main road and stay to the right as you come to the Beave Creek Gas Mart. Cross Beaver Creek and stay on Montezuma Ave. At the Golf Course / Restaurant turn right onto Lake Shore Drive. Follow Lake Shore until you come to a T. Turn right onto Rimrock Dr. Rimrock Drive becomes E Coronado Trail. Pass the beautiful campus of Copper Canyon Academy and keep going. Stay on the main road and you will pass a field of Globe Mallows in full glory, next the Mexican Verbena are quite showy and on up the hill are the Desert Marigolds, more Globe Mallows, Fairy Duster, Longleaf Ephedra (Mormon Tea), spreading phlox, Desert Four O’clocks, Silverleaf Nightshade, Needle and Thread Grass, Yucca, Velvet Mesquite, Prickly Pear, Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus, Blackfoot Daisies, Milkweed, Purple Asters, Creasote Bush and the pink flowering woody shrub that I have yet to identify. There are also many varieties of grasses that add a nice contrast to the wildflower show.

See photos and all reports at: Desert Wildflower Reports – DesertUSA.