Lunch at Catalina SP was quite nice...a cool breeze was blowing in the shady picnic area. The trees are so pretty. I'm not sure what this tree is, but the blooms sure had a pleasant fragrance.
From there we headed to the Birding Trail. It is also a 1 mile loop trail that climbs through a partly overgrown area.
The loop region wraps around the junction of two dry washes.
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| Ladder-backed Woodpecker |
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| Maybe a Loggerhead Shrike? |
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| Goldfinch |
The trail is an archaeological site of a Hohokum village. This site was inhabited 500 - 1400 AD.
There are placards placed all along the hike with explanations of the ruins.
One of the main features of the ruins is the remains of a stone wall that surrounded the village. In its day, the wall stood 6 feet tall.
We also walked the Romero Ruin Trail...a 3/4 mile loop.
The trail is an archaeological site of a Hohokum village. This site was inhabited 500 - 1400 AD.
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| Rail road ties help make the steep climb easier. |
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| What a beautiful view of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area. |
There are placards placed all along the hike with explanations of the ruins.
One of the main features of the ruins is the remains of a stone wall that surrounded the village. In its day, the wall stood 6 feet tall.
Also along the hike are the ruins of a ranch that belonged to Francisco Romero. He built his ranch on the ruins of the Hohokum in the late 1800s.
There is evidence of five small structures.
The largest saguaro with the most arms we have seen!
We have so enjoyed our desert time!
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| Home Sweet Home! |
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| Entertainment at lunch! |
Thanks for visiting the Taylors today! Can you believe it is already Friday? The weeks sure go by fast!
If you are traveling this week-end...happy and safe trails! If you are all settled in somewhere, enjoy!
Y'all come back!
The birds were probably all in their nests in the heat of the day trying to stay cool. You got some great pictures for not seeing too many birds. But that last picture is the best.
ReplyDeleteAh that last picture, the tail in the air. Looks like it had better hang on.... Too cute. I think you did really well on the bird photos.
ReplyDeleteI love nice smelling trees, just makes you feel good. Great bird shots too! Sounds like you are really enjoying it there, I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteGreat hikes! Love the saguaro with all the arms. I haven't seen any photos of crested saguaro. I know there are several in the park. Keep looking for me:)
ReplyDeleteMore wonderful bird pictures. Just love the desert and really missed it this past winter.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! That Saguaro is magnificent!
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