Sabino Canyon is nestled in the foothills of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. It offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Tucson, Arizona. This stunning canyon, carved by Sabino Creek, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a dose of desert serenity with water.
The Raptor Free Fight Show is an amazing opportunity to see dessert raptors up close, in the wild, with amazing photography opportunities. This open-air demonstration is unlike any zoo exhibit you’ve ever seen. Here, the raptors/birds of prey like hawks, owls, and eagles take flight completely untethered. These magnificent creatures showcase their natural abilities amongst the stunning Sonoran Desert backdrop. We first attended the Raptor Free Flight last year.
The show is not just visually captivating; it’s also incredibly informative. A knowledgeable narrator provides details about each raptor, from their hunting techniques and adaptations to their vital role in the desert ecosystem. What’s truly awe-inspiring is the feeling of these powerful birds soaring just above your head. You can feel the rush of wind as they make a close pass, a reminder of their raw power and agility. The Raptor Free Flight Show is a breathtaking display of nature, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for these feathered predators.
The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park is one of two Saguaro National Parks. There is one in the eastern part of Tucson called Rincon, and the other in the western part of Tucson referred to as Tucson Mountain District. We visited the Rincon Mountain District with its towering peaks, diverse ecosystems, and iconic saguaro cacti.
Cactus flowers in the spring are a big draw for us coming to Tucson, Arizona from March to June. The hedgehog cactus start first in March, then pincushion start to bloom, later barrel cactus, prickly pear, cholla and eventually the saguaro by May. We left at the beginning of April and the barrel, cholla, and prickly pear were loaded with buds and about to bloom, still too early for saguaro.
Mount Lemmon has a summit elevation of 9,159 feet. Located in the Santa Catalina mountains in northern Tucson, Arizona, it is a 27 mile beautiful drive from desert to alpine. With the altitude change the temperature can drop 20-30 degrees compared to the desert floor. Mount Lemmon was named after botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon who trekked to the top in 1881.
The southern California coast is wonderful almost anytime of the year, but spring in the desert beckons and the open road is calling us from the sunny shores of San Diego to the rugged beauty of Tucson, Arizona. We love the iconic saguaro cacti and breathtaking mountain ranges of the Sonoran Desert.
