Sonoran Desert Spring Drive: Wildlife & Scenic Backroads

Part One: The Open Road Adventure

A Sonoran Desert spring drive offers unexpected beauty. On this Sunday drive, I set out with my camera to capture the desert landscape, blooming life, and even some surprising wildlife.

I took the roads less traveled. Join me…

Unexpected Wildlife: White Pelicans in Arizona

This was with my zoom lens, and at first, I thought perhaps they were swans. I was surprised as I looked closer to find they appeared to be pelicans.

Now, I live in the Sonoran desert. We have a lot of wildlife, but that is not something I could have imagined.

Turns out, White Pelicans have wintered here this year and found this unusual wetlands area to be habitable!

Finding Peace on Empty Roads

Tomorrow, we’ll finish our drive with old mining towns which has been struck by years of economic despair. Upon closer inspection though, pride in the face of adversity will shine.

Will you join me then? You will be amazed how diverse one afternoon of driving can be in the desert, when you choose to travel where the road beckons. ♥  This is part one of two, you can check out the second installment here, where we travel through Arizona mining towns.

P.S. There are lots more visual vacations on the blog! Click here for everything from castles to coasts to historic NY churches to abandoned places. I am just a hobbyist with my camera, but I sure enjoy chasing down a good shot!

Great reads when visiting the Sonoran Desert and Mining Towns

• The Sonoran Desert: A Literary Field Guide

• The Sonoran Desert by Day and Night Coloring Book

• Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps: A Travel Guide to History 

• Arizona Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Book of Answers

• Arizona Day Trips by Theme

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