Sabino Canyon Saguaro Moon

Continuing with "5" Star landscape photos we have another "Saguaro Moon." This one taken in Sabino Canyon, Arizona:

Saguaro Moon

Sabino Canyon Collard Lizard

The list of animals we have seen in Sabino Canyon includes: skunk, deer, bobcat, coyote, javelina, desert grey fox, squirrels, rabbits, gila monster, rattlesnake, and probably seven or eight different kinds of lizards. None more beautiful than this Collard Lizard. Christine and I were hiking rattlesnake trail, when near the top of the rocky foothill was this 14 inch liazrd (in the photo). Christine describes him as a "jewel box." I can't think of a better description. He was sunbathing and enjoying it too much to move. He let me take several photographs, after which we both told him how pretty he was and thanked him for allowing us to view. I love seeing and photographing moose -- no doubt about it. But, this was a treat. Collard lizards aren't abundant like many of the smaller varieties. And, when seen they are not usually in their breeding color like this one.

Sabino Canyon, Arizona

Sabino Canyon is another of our "favorite places." About ten minutes from us, it seldom fails to please. The first time we took our oldest son Matt and his wife Rung (they live in Hawaii) we weren't fifteen minutes into our hike when we came across a western diamondback rattlesnake. As we were finishing our hike the moon decided to land on this saguaro. With Christine's should as a tripod I got this photo. Not bad. We love to walk up to what we call "the frog pond." Everyone can lie down on a large boulder at the pond's edge and look up into the sky. Typically, we listen to the owls hooting away as we watch bats come down to the pond to scoop up insects. Often a male and female cardinal stop to say hello on a nearby branch -- even the same boulder where we lie sometimes. It is so peaceful, the perfect place for resting, relaxing, and meditating.  All thanks to Teddy Roosevelt.