Fieldtrip to Round Valley/Sycamore Creek along the Beeline. Leader: Ron Rutowski
location:
Saturday, March 14, 2009
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Spring starts early in the Upper Sonoran Desert. By March many wildflowers are in bloom and on warm days the spring butterflies – Orange-tips, Marbles, Spring Azures, Variable Checkerspots, etc. - are out in force. This month the CAzBA field trip is to Round Valley in the Mazatzal Mountains, just at the upper elevational limit of the Sonoran Desert. Here, there is stream-side riparian vegetation, stands of mesquite on the flood plain, and hillsides dotted with cacti and annual wildflowers, all of which makes for a rich and accessible butterfly community. Depending on the flow in Sycamore Creek we may walk to the entrance to beautiful Log Corral Canyon which comes into the lower end of Round Valley. This area is about 50 miles from Phoenix where the Bee Line highway crosses Sycamore Creek before the road climbs to Sunflower Valley. We will gather at the Denny's on Shea Blvd. in Fountain Hills at 7:30AM. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, snacks and close focus binoculars.
We ask for a $5 donation.
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