Saturday, March 1, 2014

Imperial Wildlife Refuge

Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 25, 2014

 Since I have been following Travels with Emma and we had the great pleasure of meeting Judy (and Emma) at Anahuac this past January, finding a refuge to visit is at the top of the list of "things to do" wherever we stay.


It just so happens that Imperial NWR is only 40 miles (there abouts) north of Yuma. This beauty of a refuge protects wildlife in two environments...the desert and lower Colorado River.



This last unchanneled section before the river enters Mexico offers a beautiful green oasis as viewed from the lookout.

At one time, the banks of the Colorado were lined with cottonwood and willow forests. Woodcutting during the steamboat era, clearing for agriculture, wild fires, and dams have devastated these forests.

While we were at the visitor center, we decided to take the 1.6 mile self-guided nature walk. There were 6 different markers that corresponded to a pamphlet.  









 The dark appearance of stones that make up most of the desert is called desert varnish and is caused over time by microscopic bacteria which reside on the rocks...easily destroyed if you don't stay on the path.


A new plant for me...this is arrowweed. These tall, flexible stems were used by native peoples to make shafts for arrows, build houses, and weave baskets.



We have seen palo verde. But I did learn that they achieve photosynthesis throughout the green bark as well as the leaves. Notice the tiny leaves.


creosote bush

Creosote bushes are also common throughout the desert. Each stem of this hardy plant can live 200 years. It reproduces by sending out shoots. These shoots could be descendants from a bush that began thousands of years before. Not many animals eat these bitter leaves and for this reason, flies lay their eggs on a branch bud. As the larvae hatch, the bush grows a ball of leafy material around the larvae. This protects larvae from the heat, dry air, and predators.

Next time you see a creosote bush...cup your hands around its leaves and gently breath warm air onto them. Then inhale the "rainy" smell that comes from the sticky resin coating that protects against water loss.

After leaving the visitor center, we took a short drive to the Painted Desert Trail. Its a 1.3 mile loop rated average difficulty with moderate short climbs and uneven terrain.




We started out hiking thru a wash enjoying the rocks...




.


..many different colored rocks!






This was a surprise...a rock column created by water eroding the land from several different directions.







From one vantage point, we could see a strip of green...the banks of the Colorado River. It was quite a distance from where we were. Wildlife needing water, must travel this expanse to get a drink.

Unfortunately, the day was overcast...so the painted desert doesn't look so painted in my pictures.
 




 

Imperial NWR has more than 15,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who work so hard to restore and manage the wetlands and forests.
 






 

Thanks for stopping by...until next time,


 ...enjoy!









24 comments:

  1. Thanks for all the great pictures of Imperial NWR. I was thinking of possibly volunteering there next winter, and wondered what it looked like. There are next to no pictures on their website.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so welcome! We had a nice visit there. In addition to the 2 walks/hikes we did, they have several observation points. And we never made it to Meers Lake. The visitor center was nice and the people working the day we went were very helpful and friendly.

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful place--your photos are amazing! We'll definitely put this NWR on our list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dawn.....if you are ever in Yuma, I highly recommend a visit to Imperial NWR.

      Delete
  3. Don't you just love the colors of the desert and some people think it's just a desert. You're photos prove them wrong. Love that area ... enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joe and I fell in love with the desert last year when we visited it for the first time! It is beautiful....and has been especially so this year. This is our first trip to Yuma.

      Delete
  4. Great pictures of the area. I love the jack rabbit. You certainly got a good one of him trying to get away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was lucky! Joe spotted him and I turned around just in time to get a couple of pictures....

      Delete
  5. Arrowweed is new to me also. Thanks for sharing the info.

    You certainly did a great job with the painted colors even though it was cloudy...the colors are beautiful! You put a big smile on my face as I looked at the photos!

    You found some really cute flowers:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Pam....that's very nice...thanks! It's a really pretty refuge. As much as I wished the sun had been shining, we were all glad it was cooler!

      Delete
  6. Now that is some place to visit and never heard of it until now. Gay, your flower captures are really gorgeous. I still have to see a Jack rabbit.
    The Painted desert reminded me of Death Valley and you have captured them well despite the overcast sky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words MonaLiza......the Jack rabbits are big compared to other rabbits we have seen.....and very fast! I got lucky to get a picture! I love their ears! And I finally found out the name of the little purple flower I keep seeing...it's a Scorpionweed.

      Delete
  7. Man, just look at all those beautiful flowers. The desert is blooming so early this year. And my nose is telling me all about it. Love that rabbit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you Sandie....I have a stuffy nose too! But it's worth it.

      Delete
  8. More wonderful desert flower pictures. Love this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too George! We had rain yesterday so I expect it to be even more colorful!

      Delete
  9. Great Post! The wildlife refuge pictures are beautiful. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Janet.....welcome to good-times-rollin.blogspot.com

      Delete
  10. Loved the beautiful colors! I wonder if the creosote bush is where the preservative for power poles comes from? I enjoy every entry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good question Robbye...I have no idea. Sounds like a google!
      So glad you are following our adventures.

      Delete
  11. What great places to add to your travels - NWR! Your photos are gorgeous and should be added to their web-site! Beautiful colors!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great pictures again! What is the plant with the yellow flower and silvery leaves? It's beautiful.

    Just learned the creosote trick. I love that desert smell!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joan....I'm still looking for the name of that delicate little flower....
      I'm with you, I love everything about the desert.....this time of year!

      Delete