On Thursday we pulled up stakes and drove to Lost Dutchman State Park. We have never spent much time in the Phoenix area before, so we were looking forward to discovering new territory.
The campsite is set in a spectacular setting, right at the base of the Superstition Mountains. We think the park must get a lot of rain from clouds dumping as they hit the mountains, because the vegetation is thick and lush and the Saguaro are especially plump and many branched here.
The next morning we checked out the Gilbert Preserve, which like the Sweetwater Wetlands recycles treated sewer water, only it's about 4 times as large, and is part of a large public park. It's full of birds
Like this American avocet
and even fuller of cottontail rabbits scampering about. The only species more in evidence may be retirees with giant cameras who have taken up wildlife photography in the retirement.
Lots of warblers here and ducks and shorebirds, egrets, avocets and even a black crowned night heron, but the bird of the day is the black-necked stilt, and no wonder:
A Beautiful bird
Our afternoon was spent at the Heard museum in downtown Phoenix, a collection of the art of native Americans of the Southwest. I have long wanted to see their collection of southwest pottery, but there are also great collections of Hopi katsina dolls and Navajo rugs.
We were especially appreciative of the shaded courtyard complete with a soothing water feature where we could take a break with a cup of coffee, between forays into the museum.
Not so fun was driving home on the freeway during rush hour traffic.
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