The best show of color bursts forth from March to May--especially after a wet November and December. The blooms of claret cup cactus and Indian paintbrush often appear first, followed by prickly pear, beavertail, and strawberry hedgehog cactus. On …
Wildflower Pageant in Full Swing on the South Rim
The spring wildflower bloom has begun on the South Rim, aided in part by the generous precipitation that fell in April. Bladderpod, long-leaved paintbrush, and hill lupine are joined by dozens of other flowering plants in adding a touch of color to …
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The Hills are Alive: Summer Rains are Bringing on the Green
With much of the country in drought, it feels a bit indulgent to remark at what a wet and wonderful summer rainy season we’ve had in the park. Though the monsoonal bounty is only slightly elevated by historical standards, the forests on either rim …
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Going for the Gold
While the Olympics were winding down this last weekend in London, the heat was on the rise in Arizona and the southwest. In fact, it seemed the entire country was broiling with record-breaking temperatures. Phoenix was topping out at over 115 …
Sure Sign of Spring
My husband and I went on a long day hike following a tributary of the Verde River this last weekend. We saw many signs of spring in the lupine, Desert Marigold, Indian Paintbrush, ladybugs and leaves just starting to bud on the Arizona sycamore …