Yes, this is not Baja.
Yes, it is Mexico.
Yes, it is Sonora.
Yes, it is only 30 miles below the border.
Yes, it is close enough.
Location: El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
Brittlebush and Cerro Colorado.
Brittlebush.
Ocotillo and Cinder cone.
Ocotillo and Cinder cone.
Brittlebush and Cinder Cone.
Saguaro Sunset.
bajabuddha - 3-25-2016 at 01:34 PM
Gorgeous! My ol' stompin' grounds. Was just north of there last week on I-8, the stretch east of Gila Bend was lit up bigtime, all the trees in
bloom too. Thanks for the memories.
bbPappy Jon - 3-25-2016 at 01:37 PM
Now for a few flowers.
Twinning milkweed.
Teddy bear (jumping) cholla.
Hedgehog cactus flower.
Ocotillo flowers.
Crusty fella and a prickly friend.
[Edited on 3-25-2016 by Pappy Jon]StuckSucks - 3-25-2016 at 02:07 PM
Spectacular - thanks! I went thru there a few weeks ago and the desert was happy (as evidenced by your photos). Udo - 3-25-2016 at 02:34 PM
Terrific photos, thanks for taking the time to post here.
It is people like you that make this board a happy place.4x4abc - 3-25-2016 at 02:49 PM
For the most part El Nino was not very kind to this region. There were patchy annuals, and they were all very puny when I did find them. I didn't see
any dune primrose, and only one small sand verbena.bajabuddha - 3-25-2016 at 03:37 PM
I did see a few primrose in the hills east of Gila Bend, not many. Behind ABC's primrose are some gorgeous purple verbena. Never seen much fragrant
sand verbena (white variety) except up north on the Colorado Plateau.... it's my fave of all desert blooms; opens at dusk and actually 'exhales' its'
sweet pollen/fragrance (purple verbena not so much fragrant). I've lain in many a field of it as the sun set, and covered in migrating butterflies.
Ahhh, to have one more 100-year-bloom. Thinkin' of heading that-a-way late April-ish and hope to catch a few...... again, great pics.bajabuddha - 3-25-2016 at 04:03 PM
BTW Pappy, there's been a lot of back-country travel warnings in that area for the last 5+ years, especially Organ Pipe..... were you with a group,
pro or friends, or just going solo? I used to spend days out at Cerro Rojo and Colorado...... camped and boondocked many, many times. How is the
commercial traffic there now? Love to go back someday.
bb bajajudy - 3-25-2016 at 04:06 PM
Gorgeous! ThanksDianaT - 3-25-2016 at 04:43 PM
Spectacular! Great photos and beautiful landscape. THANKS.
David K - 3-25-2016 at 05:07 PM
Thank you Jon!4x4abc - 3-25-2016 at 05:11 PM
Hey Jon, do you have more? Please!BajaBlanca - 3-25-2016 at 05:51 PM
it was grand looking at the photos! those flowers are just spectacular!Pappy Jon - 3-25-2016 at 06:06 PM
BTW Pappy, there's been a lot of back-country travel warnings in that area for the last 5+ years, especially Organ Pipe..... were you with a group,
pro or friends, or just going solo?
I was solo. I did see a few tourist types out there. No buses. I stopped at Organ Pipe and asked about security. They said no problem. I had the
campground to myself for two nights. In addition to the tourist loop around Elegante I also camped one night out near McDougal Crater.
[Edited on 3-26-2016 by Pappy Jon]Pappy Jon - 3-25-2016 at 06:08 PM
