Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, AZ - Trip #3

Saturday, April 23, 2016

In case you cannot tell, we really like the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  We bought a 1 year membership that will not expire until end of April 2017.  

This morning they had a Wildflower Walk that I wanted to go on.  Tic said he would rather hike the "High Trail".  It is not a difficult trail.  So he went his way and I took the Wildflower Walk.

 Tic started by seeing this beautiful cardinal.

Heading for the high trail.   

Now Tic is little ways up the trail looking back down into the eucalyptus trees.  If I haven't mentioned it before, Mr Thompson's purpose for developing this Arboretum was to determine what plants & trees could be grown in arid climate and provide foods, shelter etc.  So there are plants and trees from all around the world here at this arboretum.
 

This is looking up the obviously dry Queen Creek which runs through the park.  During monsoon season (July & August) the creek flows.
 

I love the blooming ocotillo in the foreground, with neat rock formations in the background.
 

This big saguaro is soon to be in full bloom.  See all the buds at the ends of the arms?
 

 More interesting rock formations on Tic's hike.

There are lots of hummingbirds here at the park.  Tic got this one just before he stuck his beak into the flower.  See his wings are a blur.
 

There were lots of beautiful views from the "High Trail".
 

Tic said this lizard was climbing up the vertical rock wall.
 

So many gorgeous views that I had to pick from.  Sorry if I put too many pictures.
 

This lizard looks like he is molting.
 

Can you believe these views?!?  Y'all need to come visit us here in Arizona!

From on the High Trail Tic could see the suspension bridge crossing Queen Creek AND the Picket Post Mansion.  What a view!
 

This is a pomegranate tree in bloom.  Beautiful flowers.
 

These yucca will bloom yearly.  
 

Look at this hummingbird.  They are so fun to watch.
 

Tic thought this was a interesting looking tree.  It has white blooms at the ends of the branches.
 

Both Tic and I tried to get a good picture of these beautiful yellow-bellied finches.  They move around really fast and seem to stay in the shade.  This was the best picture.
 

We even got to see a raven nest.  The mom and dad both were flying in and out of the nest.  Guess it was feeding time.

Tic likes me in his hat so I agreed to pose for him.

Now for the pictures Dusty took on her Wildflower Walk.

Most of the prickly pear cactus seem to have a yellow flower.  I saw this cactus with a red flower and had to get a picture.

Look how large these flowers are on this cactus.  We were told they would only last a day.  Below is a closeup of one of the blooms.

These are called desert poppies.

This cactus is actually growing out of the tree.

These variegated yucca are blooming.  The hummingbirds like these tubular type flowers. Below is a closeup of the flower. 

More beautiful flowers.  Too much info for my brain to retain.

The picture above and below are two different agave plants with very tall blooms.  I could not get all of either one in a single picture.

This is called a hedgehog cactus with its pretty pink flowers.
That is all of my pictures. It was a really nice day to spend at the park!