Purple Prickly Pear (Opunta violacea var. Santa-Rita)

Don, Derek and I headed up Mt. Lemmon for about 7,000 feet of climbing fun!  We were totally enjoying the very light traffic, great temperatures and conversation as we got up near Bear Canyon (General Hitchcock camp ground).  Up the road in the parking area was a Pima County Sheriff's Deputy.  As we approached he hopped out of the patrol car and stopped us.  He said the Don was riding in the lane and 3 abreast, then proceeded to issue a citation to Don.  In Arizona, cyclist can ride two abreast and we can be in the traveling lane.  The interesting part is I was on the inside, Don beside me and Derek BEHIND and centered off our rear wheels so we could all B.S. on the ride.  Not sure what Don is planning on doing with the citation, but the Deputy was not nice nor was he a complete jerk.  He just did his business and cited Don.  My question is how could this Deputy tell we were 3 abreast since he never drove by us.  And to put even more spin on it, there was another Deputy on a motorcycle that passed us no less than 5 times during our ride up the highway and he waved at us twice as he passed in the opposite direction.  Doesn't make me happy about our Sheriffs Department!  

This one was the easiest ... Tricia had the plant tag still in the pot!  Spring Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

I snapped this picture cause I thought this guy was really cool and before I knew it, Tricia took it down and bought it!  Now he and one of his friends are sitting above our kitchen.  I didn't think that snapping pictures could cost me so much money!

Fleabane (Erigeron divergens)

Mexican Gold Poppy (Eschscholzia mexicana)

Desert Chicory or New Mexico Plumseed (Rafinesquia neomexicana)

Prickle (or Prickly) Poppy (Aremone pleiacantha)

The sign of a satisfying and delicious meal.

This one gave me some trouble looking up.  Took me over 2 hours of research to finally find the little sucker!  Trailing Windmills or Trailing Four O'Clock (Allionia incarnata)

I think this one is Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi).  Really small and cool looking.

Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)  The most brilliant red coloring on a hedgehog.  Steve pointing this one out after a ride and seeing the fasciculatus variety in the desert.

Pink Flower Hedgehog (echincereus fasciculatus)  Found tons of these on the west side during one of our rides out there.

This was a single plant growing out of the side of the road between the curb and bridge sidewalk in about 3" of soil.  Desert Blue Bell (Phacelia campanularia)

Very common in town and around neighborhoods ... White Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Yellow Desert Evening Primrose (Oenothera primiveris)

Blue Dicks, Wild-hyacinth, Dester Hyacinth or Common Brodiaea (Dischelostemma capitatum)

Stemless or Desert White Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa)

On our cross country ride from Patagonia to Locile Loop and this monster was in the road.  He is a Horned Lizard (or Horny Toad) in the Phrynosoma family, I just don't know what species.  But heck, he's cute!  Got a face only a mother could love.

Blue Flax (Linum perenne) - Had a tough time identifying this one.  Think it's related to the Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii).

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) Another ADOT "standard" flower for roadside construction projects.

With some help from my internet friends ... Scalloped Leaf Phacelia (Phacelia crentulata) also called Scorpionweed, Caterpiller Weed or Hydrophylia.

Desert Marigold (Baileya multridiata) - A common ADOT flower used for seeding after construction.

Parry's Penstemon or Parry's Beardtongue (Penstemon parryi)

Rare White California or Mexican Poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham. ssp. californica)

Orange Fiddleneck (Amsinkia menziesii)

Arizona Hedgehog Cacti (Enchinocereus coccineus var. arizonicus)

Narrow-leaf desert cassia (Senna artemisiodies)

A little out of focus, but its the only flower photo I took today.  Trying to get all the flowers I'm seeing this spring.

Spring time is in full force ... temps in the high 70's / low 80's ... the best time of year to be in Arizona

My first triathlon number - Sprint Distance at 1:28.01 and Tricia at 1:15:12.  It was so much fun.

Every thing and every body is ready for the triathlon in the morning!

Steve and his new found friend.  Starbucks was crowded when we showed up and his buddy was tied up next to the only available table.  Boy was he excited to see us sit down next to him.

Embedded in the new check station ... most everyone who will pass thru check point will never know it's there.  It has a "sister" showing the other side ...

Just read the sign and you will know why I took this picture.

Spring is in the air!  All the floral is popping up thanks to the recent rain and warm temperatures.  It's going to be a colorful spring.

I wish this was a video with good sound ... he is snoring!  I love the fangs just sticking out.

Update on Chester ... he is back to his normal self ... well normal for a neutered kitten!  I call him "cheese nuts" now!  LOL

On top of the world?  Or "The Eagles Nest"?  Nope - Golder Ranch

Just reflections in the sand.

Red Lava?  Not quite!  Should have been turned green on the 17th, but surprising it was not changed.

Found next to a job site that I inspect on the nearby reservation.  The casino is literally 500 yards down the street.  95% of the bottles are cheap alcoholic drinks.  What does this say about the area?  How did it come to this?  What can be done IF anything?  Just some thoughts.

Some really cool "wall art" under I-19 at Hughes Wash.  Hope the artist just isn't your typical teenager that you think of when you see this type of thing.  They have some decent talent.

In the morning found water underneath all the junk in the cabinet.  Traced the source back to a leaky faucet.  Title of this one is "Fat guy under a sink" LOL

Rode out to Old Tucson for the Sunrise at Old Tucson Trail Run with our friends.  Only picture I took that day!