Montrose Pools

Can you believe that the first two months of 2009 are gone? Time sure is flying along.

This morning we decided to get up and head out early for a hike to the Montrose Pools as it was suppose to be 90 today. This is just one of the trails that you can take from the trail head here in Catalina State Park.

This is a picture of the Arizona State Tree called Palo Verde which is Spanish for green pole. Every part of the tree is green and it is very thorny. John and I both like the tree as it is very distinctive.

Here is a neat shot from the trail looking up toward Romero Canyon. Interesting sun rays don't you think?

Here is a pretty view of saguaros, green plants, and the Santa Catalina mountains.

We made it to the Montrose Pools which are mid-picture behind the saguaro with many arms. We are actually above the pools looking down on them.

This area is a protected Big Horn Sheep area and hikers are restricted from getting 400 feet off the trail and no dogs are allowed. Supposedly, the sheep are lambing right now. Nope, we didn't see any Big Horn Sheep. We sure wish we had.

Here is a very pretty wispy plant that we saw near the Montrose Pools. The picture really doesn't do the flowers justice.

After leaving the Montrose Pools we returned to the Romero Canyon Trail and proceeded up the trail until the rocks got to steep for me. I don't have a problem going up them, it is the coming down them that freaks me out. John told me he was surprised that I went as far as I did and that as long as I keep pushing myself past my comfort zone, I will be able to take these kinds of trails in stride. Humm, I guess time will tell. We did see a woman coming down who was so smooth going over the rocks - almost gliding. Ah, to have her confidence!

As we headed back down the trail, we were given a pretty view of Oro Valley off in the distance.

We decided to take the Bird Trail Loop to see if we could spot any birds. It was getting too warm so there wasn't any activity. Here is a shot of the creek that one has to cross to get to the trail head. In the almost two weeks that we have been here, we have seen the creek shrink in the length it runs down the wash.

We decided to leave the Bird Trail Loop and walk down the wash toward the trail head. We were treated to a fly over of a Harris' Hawk. Click on the picture to enlarge and you can see his neat tail feathers. As best as we can tell, this is a juvenile.

After showering, having lunch, and going grocery shopping, we returned to enjoy the afternoon sitting in the shade of the trailer. At last, John was able to get a picture of the American Kestrel that he has been seeking. The American Kestrel is quite a beauty and is a falcon not a hawk.

Just before dark, we spoke with our new neighbors in the row behind us. They are avid birders and were enjoying watching the hummingbirds at our feeders. We got to talking and they shared some good bird viewing information with us for the areas that we will be headed after we leave Tucson which won't be for a week or two (we are undecided as there is still much to see in the area).

We got home and were looking at pictures taken today when we heard the coyotes for a while. It is a sound that I enjoy and haven't heard for a few nights. Hopefully, they will be active tonight and will help lull us to sleep.