Middle Madera Canyon

Corona de Tucson

April 22, 2022

Madera Canyon Road...

Last Wednesday, Joe and I had to make a trip to the vet's office in Green Valley to pick up meds for Jack.  It was a beautiful morning so we decided to hike Middle Madera Canyon.   

An Acorn Woodpecker was the official greeter for the day.

We began the trail at the Amphitheater parking lot (about 5,000' elevation) and hike up to the Wrightson Picnic area and walk the road back to the jeep.  There was a new kiosk at the parking lot explaining the different regions in the canyon.  This hike begins in the Upper Sonoran Life Zone...a new to us term.  

It's a fun trail with lots of ups and downs, boulders, shade and great views.  

I used to take trees for granted when we lived in Georgia.  Not anymore !  In this section of middle Madera Canyon, oak trees and pine trees "blanket" the landscape.  Emory Oak is common.  They are wintergreen trees and keep their leaves throughout the winter until new leaves are produced.  

Male tassels or catkins shed pollen that is carried by the wind to female flowers... 

Pine trees produce two types of cones.  The hard woody cones we typically see on the ground and soft spongy cones.  

Soft, spongy male cones shed pollen carried by the wind to the hard, woody  female cones.  

I was surprised that a nice variety of wildflowers were blooming at this elevation.  Wild verbena, 

 lupine, 

Indian paintbrush, 

and my favorite for the day...these tiny little yellow blooms along the water flowing down to Madera Creek...seep monkeyflowers.

 I loved the shimmering grasses swaying in the breeze.  

And the beauty all around us.

  

We have hiked this trail many times.  It never disappoints !  

Back at the oasis, Dr Huang, our vet in Green Valley, called to say that Jack's tests show he has moderate degenerative heart valve disease.  The medication prescribed can slow down the progression of heart disease.  We have all enjoyed our time on the patio this week.  Jack especially enjoys naps in the warm sunshine.

In addition to our hike, we got in three good walks around the cart path this week.  This photo was taken about 6:40 am on Tuesday.  I love the sun and shadows this time of day.  If you squint your eyes tight, you can see a grouping of prickly pear cactus...in the center of the photo...in the field.  

These prickly pear are the healthiest and prettiest prickly pear I have ever seen. I stopped on Tuesday to get a picture.  Look at all those buds !  And every pad was full just like this one.

This morning (Saturday) I couldn't help but stop again...what a beautiful color !

Joe and I are enjoying the bottlebrush tree in the backyard.  It is full of buds and just  beginning to bloom.

The birds and the butterflies like it too.

A huge thank you to the Cactus Wren...that's a mouth full !

A coyote across the fairway in the early morning light...

a Gamble's Quail in the flower pot...

Dover beginning her day...

and Sally waiting for supper finish out the week.

It's been a nice week.

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !