Horny Toad

I walked up Tumamoc Hill this morning and was rewarded with the sighting of this Desert Horned Lizard. At least I think that's his species. Check out that spiky collar! I think he'd be a scratchy snack for a coyote or bobcat.

He was very patient and brave, allowing me to inch closer and closer until my camera was less than a foot from him. I sat down, and we probably would have stared at each other all morning, but I offered him some of my water. That was too much interaction for him, and he trundled away.

I have been told that Tumamoc means Horny Toad in Tohono O'odham.

Every day I find another reason to be grateful that I live in Tucson.

Tumamoc Wildflowers

Globemallow, chickory, brittlebush and lots of other things I can't name are blooming on Tumamoc Hill.

The recent rain has provided plentiful food for the mulies. These deer know the only thing that will shoot them on this spectacular hill is a camera, and they have had lots of practice in striking charming poses. I was only 15' away from this fawn. Several adults were about 25' away, unconcerned.
I never tire of saying it: do we live in a great place or what?

Luminous Mother

At the base of Tumamoc Hill is a wonderful shrine called the Luminous Mother. Many people leave offerings and burning candles to ask for help or to honor loved ones. You can sit on a bench and reflect on your blessings. I wonder about the significance of the photos, stuffed animals, and souvenir plate from Jerusalem.

Centipede

I saw this centipede crossing the road by the Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. It looks like it is going in two directions at once, but it was moving to the right.

I saw a millipede just a few minutes before that. The millipede was not as photogenic. It was more like a black worm. You had to see its legs moving like a wave to appreciate it.

The Buildings of Tumamoc

Tumamoc Hill is west of A Mountain, where the city does the July 4 fireworks show. I walked up the hill last night around 7:30 after hearing a lecture at the gorgeous Desert Laboratory Library (above), which is located half way up the hill. It's the same as when I make the walk at 6:30 AM. Hundreds of Tucsonans are huffing and puffing or effortlessly running up and down the hill.


The three beautiful buildings at the Desert Laboratory were all built with local rock between 1900 and 1910. They are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Way Out West, When the Cactus is in Bloom

Usually saguaros do their blooming before the summer monsoons. I was surprised to find this lone giant flowering on Tumamoc Hill last week. Climate change seems to have everyone confused.

Today I noticed two more saguaros: one had recently bloomed, and the other will in a few days. What's up with that? All the other bare-headed saguaros wonder what these renegades are up to.

Learning about Tumamoc Hill

I have been hiking up Tumamoc Hill for the past few months, and I love it! It's a 710 feet elevation change, and 1.5 miles each way. It's not the prettiest hike in Tucson, but it's a paved road with lots of people around to help if something untoward happens during the hike. Almost every day, I see something interesting. I am going to post some of my finds here.

Check out the Tumamoc blog. On the May 19, 2011 entry, you will see one of my fabulous clients, Moses Thompson, with his students from Manzo Elementary.

On October 12, I plan to go to the lecture at Tumamoc on Human Adaptions to Desert Ecosystems at 6 PM.