Best (and only substantial) wildflower display so far near Tucson is at
the Box Canyon area in Saguaro NP West -- this is just W of the Picture
Rocks entrance (no sign). Bright poppies, bladderpod mustard, lots of
cryptantha, lupines just starting. King's Canyon trail (opposite Desert
Museum) was a bit disappointing flower-wise today (2-21), but should be
nice after a few sunny days, as there is lots of green. Scattered
poppies/bladderpods along the trail, and some nice Parry's penstemon on
the return, in the wash. Don't miss the nice rock-art panels at the
first dry falls, going downstream from Mam-a-Gah picnic area.

The entire N end of the Tucson Mtns looks like Hawaii right now -- it's
very, very green.

Saw some nice anemone (windflower) displays E of Reddington Pass on the
roadsides, and lots of green on top. Plus an amazing amount of water --
literally every wash was running. Lovely drive; this was Sunday, 2-20.
Road is in decent condition. Reddington Rd. is the (dirt) eastward
continuation of Tanque Verde Rd.

The Nature Conservancy office 'wild' flowerbeds are nice, as usual: S
side of Ft. Lowell, W of Mountain. As are the Tohono Chul park planted
displays.

As soon as we get a few warm days, there should be lots of color in all
the usual hotspots. Just an amazing amount of green in the desert --
we're running about 2x average rainfall for Feb (after a good Jan), and
more to come this week.

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html
http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/flw_blooming.html

--are the sites to keep checking for the AZ bloom reports. We're hoping
to hit Pinacates/Gran Desierto/Organ Pipe late this week, weather
permitting. Many people report good poppies along AZ-86 near Kitt Peak,
also.

Cheers -- "Poppy Pete" Tillman
Tucson