For those who think the desert is a barren place devoid of life, you need to take a closer look. Spring is the best time to see the desert transform into a land of color and inspiration!
We just returned from spending a couple of days at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Our trip included hiking the intimidating sounding Hellshole Canyon Trail. I'm sure in the heat of the summer, it would live up to its name but for us, it was full of beautiful wildflowers and cacti in bloom.
Our number one goal on this trip was to see a Bighorn sheep. My husband has never seen one in the wild so with hopeful hearts, we headed on the popular Palm Canyon trail where Bighorn sheep are known to live. Our days began with birds, lizards and Jack Rabbits.
The White-winged Dove with its great Barred Owl impersonation and fancy blue eyeliner was pretty easy to spot.
One of my favorite desert birds, the Cactus Wren, was also pretty easy to spot once it started its singing like a space lazer gun.
We even spotted a male Phainopepla taking his turn on the nest on our trail hike. Unfortunately, everyone we passed on our trail had not seen the Bighorn sheep. Our hopes of seeing one was diminishing.
We saw lots of pretty cool looking Whiptail Lizards on our return hike.We informally renamed the trail in honor of them. Despite not seeing the impressive Bighorn, we were having a great hike.
Unexpectedly, as we were on our last mile back to the parking lot,we spotted a majestic ram standing prominently on an outcropping above our trail. Wow! It was a spectacular moment for us all!!
Moments like the ones we experienced on the trail are cherished ones. I'm so grateful for those who had the foresight and passion to protect undeveloped land for the wildlife that reside there and to give the rest of us a chance to catch a glimpse of them in their native surroundings.
