Adventures in the Sonoran Desert
Ringbolt Hot Springs – 2012
24 Jan 2012 Author: desertlavender In: Western ArizonaDownload video: MP4 format | Ogg format
Other Trips to Ringbolt
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Winter Wings
9 Jan 2012 Author: desertlavender In: DragoonsTalk about your snowbirds! Each year in October, sandhill cranes arrive by the tens of thousands to spend the winter in Arizona’s Sulphur Springs Valley south of Willcox. The huge, raucous birds breed and raise their young far to the north in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Alaska. Once the chicks have fledged, the cranes begin the long flight south, with stopovers along the Platte River in Nebraska. They fan out across Arizona, Texas and New Mexico in shallow water roosting areas near harvested grain fields.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 cranes share the wetlands of Whitewater Draw and Willcox Playa with countless other birds including local hawks, ducks and waterfowl such as the long-billed dowitcher.
We spent a moonlit winter night at Cochise Stronghold, bracketed by evening and morning trips to observe the cranes at Apache Generating Station Wildlife Observation Area and at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Thanks to Ann, Kit, Wade and Matts for a fabulous weekend!
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Christmas in New Mexico
31 Dec 2011 Author: desertlavender In: New MexicoWe spent a wonderful, relaxing mid-week holiday at a cabin in Pinos Altos north of Silver City, New Mexico with friends Matt and Susan. The weather was perfect! We arrived just after a big snowstorm, so there was plenty of snow on the ground and all the streams were flowing like crazy, but the sun was so warm we could hike in our shirtsleeves. We hiked a short section of the Continental Divide Trail, and also visited the Ben Lilly Monument and scouted the Sapillo Creek Trail near Lake Roberts. But mostly we just enjoyed the fireplace at our “Hansel and Gretel” cottage, and wandering along the quiet backroads of Pinos Altos.
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About Desert Lavender
After more than 40 years of wandering in the forest, I finally found my way to the desert.
I came looking for sand dunes and desolation, and found a lush green landscape of stunning variety and vigor. This isn't a desert, it's a garden!
I've spent the past 10 years hiking and camping in the Sonoran Desert, from the Seri Coast and Reserva de la Biosfera Pinacate in Mexico to the summits of Tucson's Catalina Mountains. Along the way I stopped to take photos and write about the natural and cultural history of area. I hope that sharing my love of the desert will inspire others to help protect what's left of this 120,000-square-mile international desert garden.
