Lil' Red Goes to the Desert

We were in search of some caches from the Snakes and Reptiles series in the desert to the east of us. There are over 100 geocaches in the series. We have found one-third of them in our two visits. We enjoy going to the area because it is new to us, and along the base of some mountains. The roads are not dangerous like some we have taken. This part of the desert has a variety of cactus types. Here are photos from Christmas Eve Day.

I missed seeing the unusual arm on this saguaro on the 

trip in to collect the cache.

I did catch it on the way out.

I don't believe I have ever seen the tip of an 

arm curl the way this one does.

A view of Weaver's Needle

A palo verde tree is on the right.

Lots of saguaros along the hill/mountain side.

Another view of Weaver's Needle over a cholla cactus

and a mesquite tree (I think) on the right.

This is our backyard Superstition Mountain.

Another view of Superstition Mountain.

The highest point is Peak 5057, its elevation.

A mountain to the east

Cactus in this photo are left to right, front:

prickly pear, stag horn cholla, and jumping cholla

The small, dry bushes are brittle bush.

There is an ocotillo behind the saguaro.

Most of the ocotillo we saw in this area were fully leafed.

We think it is because of the recent rains, as usually 

they don't get their leaves until February or March.

Notice the green grass on the ground. 

Also a result of the recent rains.

And who says the desert isn't green?