December 2017 – The Sonoran Desert in Arizona is known for its cactus and warm dry climate, but one of our favorite things in the Sonoran Desert is the waterways – the rivers and lakes that flow through the arid land.
Sunset on the Verde River
While Spring is an awesome time to see wildflowers in the Sonoran Desert, the months of Fall are a beautiful time to explore the central Arizona waterways because the cottonwood trees and other riverside deciduous trees begin to change color.
The many waterways in Arizona are wonderful to explore.
Autumn comes later to the Sonoran Desert than most places, peaking sometime in November. Some of our favorite Arizona fall foliage images are in this article about Tonto National Forest here. They are from the eastern side of Phoenix just beyond the edges of the city of Mesa along the Salt River and the Verde River (“Green River”).
This year we returned to the banks of the Verde River once again to witness the colorful display.
A thick bed of fallen leaves leads to the river.
The Verde River rises and falls depending on rainfall and water releases at the dam upstream. In some places the water had seeped up between the trees and made wonderful reflections surrounded by fallen leaves.
Reflections.
Big cottonwood trees reached out across the Verde River.
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Suddenly a group of wild horses appeared on the far shore.
Wild horses come for a drink on the opposite shore.
Central Arizona’s wild horses live in small family groups all along both the Salt River and the Verde River. We have seen them many times over in areas east of Mesa along the beautiful Bush Highway which parallels the Salt River.
Suddenly one of the horses crossed the river and approached quite close.
The wild horses of the Salt and Verde Rivers are much loved by Phoenix residents and visitors.
His tail and his mane were filled with burrs from running around in the prickly desert. It gave him a bit of a rastafarian look!
This guy’s tail and mane were thick with burrs.
Quite a hairdo!
We wandered away from the river after the horses left and found some stately saguaro cacti with their arms outstretched toward the heavens.
Arizona is the only state where saguaro cactus grows, and they bring a lot of personality to every landscape.
A yucca plant erupted in a spray of gold along its spikey leaves as the sun lit it from behind.
A sunlit yucca.
Up on a wire we noticed a regal Harris Hawk surveying the scene below him.
High wire act — a Harris hawk surveys his domain.
He moved very slowly, first staring in one direction and then staring in another, surveying the ground for any signs of scurrying feet that might make a good snack.
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We have gotten a kick out of seeing various animals in our travels, including wild burros, buffalo, prairie dogs, mountain blue birds and herds of cows in the Black Hills of South Dakota this past summer (blog posts here and here).
Arizona’s most scenic spots off the beaten path offers the opportunity for some particularly special wildlife encounters too, and I wrote an article in the December issue of Motorhome Magazine describing the wide variety of animals we’ve seen in our Arizona RV travels.
Motorhome Magazine December 2017 issue
Article by Emily Fagan – Photos by Emily and Mark Fagan
Motorhome Magazine has posted the article online at this link: Animal Encounters in Arizona.
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From snowy egrets to burrowing owls to peach faced lovebirds to sandhill cranes to hummingbirds and a whole host of four legged critters like big horn sheep and mountain lions (not to mention the wild horses), there are all kinds of animals to be seen all around Arizona!
Arizona is also famous for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and we caught a few along the Verde River.
Sunsets in Arizona are stunning and surprisingly reliable!
Twice the color!
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Lots of snowbird RVers are headed to Arizona now and in the coming weeks, and we hope you all take a drive on the beautiful Bush Highway and catch a glimpse of the wild horses and perhaps a Harris hawk or two!
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More info about the Sonoran Desert and its rivers:
- A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert
- Detailed Maps of Tonto National Forest
- Locations of Regional Parks (with RV camping) near the Verde and Salt Rivers
Other blog posts with wildlife sightings in Arizona:
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – Wild Animals in Tucson AZ
- Burrowing owls in Gilbert, Arizona – They’re a Hoot!
- Peach Faced Lovebirds in Phoenix, AZ – Parrots in Cactus!
- Phoenix on the Wing – Waterbirds of Arizona!
- Sandhill Cranes in Willcox Arizona – What a Party!
- To Catch a Hummingbird (on camera!)
- Wild Burros of the Colorado River – A Puppy’s View!
- Wild Horses of the Salt River in Phoenix
- Wild Horses Running Free
- Wild Horses!
All of our blog posts from central Arizona – Places to camp, scenic drives, hikes and wildlife
A sampling of our Motorhome Magazine articles:
Our most recent posts:
- Beehive Trail in Arizona – A “Mini Wave” hike by Lake Powell 07/19/24
- Reese Goose Box Review: 20K Gen 3 TESTED + How to Hitch 06/27/24
- Lake Powell – Heart of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 05/10/24
- Quick Release Pull Pins for Fifth Wheel Landing Jacks – YES! 05/03/24
- Sheep May Safely Graze (in the Mountains with Dogs!) 04/26/24
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Loved the Sonoran Desert photos! One of my favorite places – I miss it – gotta get back there again!
The Sonoran Desert is so special, Guy. I first saw it in the summer after a monsoon rainstorm, and not only was the scenery beautiful but the smell was intoxicating. I’ve loved it ever since. I hope you bring your rig back here soon!!!
Love yalls blog! Thanks for
Sharing
Thank you very much, Mary!! Lots more to come 🙂
Merry Christmas to you Emily and Mark! What a great gift of color and beautiful scenery for our white Christmas now unfolding in NH!
Thank you, Pete! Sounds like Santa will come in for a soft landing on all that wonderful snow in New England. I think he has to use different landing gear here in the desert! Have a great Christmas and thank you so much for your many fun comments all year long!
Beautiful photos as always! Definitely will add that area to the list. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Ed. The lakes and rivers around Phoenix are well worth seeking out! Merry Christmas to you too, and happy travels next year!!
This area is definitely going on our bucket list! Fantastic photos…..
Have a wonderful holiday!
Thank you, Tara! And thank you for being with us on our journey all these years!! I still can’t believe you recognized our rig that day out in the boonies when you were riding your tandem on that lonely Utah road. I’m so glad you stopped by!! Merry Christmas!!
Beautiful pics, Em. Tell Mark I’m still waiting to see that illusive skunk allegedly hanging out by your RV. 😉
Bob
Oh goodness, Bob. He came by every night we were outside without our cameras, but he stayed away on the nights we were prepared and waiting for him with cameras in hand. So we never got a pic. Sigh. Honest!!
Merry Christmas! We loved the pictures. Just another place to look forward to.
It is a magical place, Jeff, as are so many others in our magnificent country… We hope you have a very Merry Christmas too!!
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, Em & M, from Bette & Glen Horsmann, in Sun City, Aryzona.
Looks like you are enjoying the wonders of our Valley of the Sun, and Arizona’s diverse terrascape for the next few months; where the Winter is outstanding – both temperature wise, and its scenic beauty is stunning.
Yes, it’s tough to wear a wind-breaker on your bike adventures -along with long pants; but worth a little bit of extra clothing – instead of shoveling snow or walking on ice.
Always enjoy your wonderful writing, and excellent photograpy, so keepem coming!
By the way, if you want a day long adventure, head up through Cave Creek, and Carefree; and take a scenic journey north on the Bloody Basin Road, which circles around to I-17; a-ways up through Aqua Fria National Monument, via Camp Creek and Seven Springs. Takes a FULL day, but very enjoyable drive. And yes, just fine with a Dually – our mode of transportation! Probably don’t want to go to Sheep Bridge, over the Verde River, or the Verde Hot Springs, on this journey, as this would make for a LONG journey, but turn west (toward I-17) when the road t-bones at the intersection to Sheeps Crossing (east) to the Verde. See how it feels to take the old stage coach route to Prescott, but leave your buggy here. Unfortunately, our Contesoga’s are way’y to long to negotiate the few sharp curves you’ll encounter on the trip.
Tis big country in Bloody Basin; worthy of exploration if you’re here for awhile.
We love that drive, Bette & Glen, and did it many years back in a Honda Element. Thanks for the suggestion — maybe we’ll check it out again this year!! Thank you so much for reading, and merry Christmas to you both!!
Thank you for sharing your pictures. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
We really enjoyed spending time with you and I’m so glad we connected! Have fun with your family camping Christmas among the saguaros!!
Beautiful pictures! That is a pretty area and one we’d like to explore more. We’d really like to kayak the Verde River in the spring some time. Love the pictures of the hawk and the colorful trees and sky!
Thank you, Debbie. I’m sure Kayaking the Verde River would be loads of fun. You’d probably see lots of wildlife. There are folks out there kayaking it now, although it might be a bit cool…!!
These pictures are amazing! We have been wintering in Casa Grande, and really would love to explore the area you have highlighted. In our car…. I doubt our MH would be the right choice, having driven it from Peyson to Mesa… and that was a highway! Thanks for the pics! From a fellow desert lover (could be dessert lover, too! LOL)!
The Bush Highway and its many riverside pullouts and a stopover at Saguaro Lake makes for a great excursion in a car or truck. We do love the desert, Linda, and dessert too!!
Surreal, beautiful pictures!! You have been blessed with such a wonderful gift of having an eye for the lens!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so very much, Deborah! We really appreciate all the enthusiastic comments you have left us through the year. Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family.