Today, Travelin’ Local welcomes our guest poster, Diane C, whose blog, Sabino Canyon, features the panorama of sights, sounds, wildlife, natural resources, hills, canyons, plants, mountains, and the visually stunning photos from the desert oasis right next to her house.

I’m a big fan of hers and if you haven’t yet had a chance to read her sweeping and comprehensive photojournalistic coverage of the Sonoran Desert, today is a good day to start. Diane’s writing and photos are playful yet serious, and provide the reader with her emotional and educated connection with nature.

Travelin’ Local is headed to the Arizona desert today, by visiting the Nature Loop Trail. It’s literally in Diane’s backyard and she was gracious to let us explore her neck of the woods.

Nature Loop Trail

Hello, I’m Diane in Tucson, Arizona. I live within walking distance of Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in the Sonoran Desert.

The more I visit this desert canyon, the more I discover and learn about nature. Today I’m featuring the Nature Loop Trail right by the visitor’s center.

It’s already springtime at Sabino Canyon. The creosote bushes are in bloom. Birds are singing and gathering nesting materials. Reptiles and small burrowing animals are active as well. Cacti will start blooming next month.

Nature Loop Trail winds around an area called the bajada. A bajada is a gently sloping apron of sediments washed down from the canyon. The drainage is ideal for a cactus forest to thrive.

Gambel’s Quail

Many of the plants are labeled on this easy introductory trail. The sign by this cactus says Teddy bear Cholla. It looks soft and fuzzy, but this is one teddy bear not to get too close to.

Whiptail Lizard

These visitors are checking out the rare, crested saguaro cactus.

I’ve been coming here for 15 years and only recently discovered it by accident from a different trail. I guess I was in too much of a hurry to notice it before. I wonder what else I can see if I pay attention.

Crested Saguaro

Wildlife is abundant, but shy. Sitting down quietly for a few minutes is a good way to watch birds or other animals in their natural habitat. My husband explores the canyon with me a couple of days a week and I also enjoy walking alone.

Desert Cottontail

“My blog is about Sabino Canyon, because I want to learn more about nature without having to travel far. I also read blogs from around the world because I enjoy seeing others connecting with and sharing the areas where they live. That’s why I like Lisa’s Travelin’ Local blog, she reports on points of interest around Southern California where she lives and inspires others to check out their own locales. Thank you Lisa, for letting me share how I’m Travelin’ Local in Southwestern USA.”

Diane, the pleasure was all mine, and I look forward to many more days visiting your neighborhood. It’s beautiful and only a click or if I choose, just a brief airline flight away.