
Earlier this week, I met up with Janet from This, That, and the Other Thing on her stomping ground near Phoenix. Janet is a photographer with an eye for the unique, often employing wit with her daily posts. After chatting a bit at a coffeehouse, we visited the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. Janet has shared many lovely images from the Preserve on her blog, and I wanted to see it for myself.

The 110-acre Preserve was developed in 1999, using waste and reclaimed waters. According to their web page, approximately 298 species of birds have been identified on the site, and many insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals have found homes there as well. The area also offers an ethnobotanical garden, a paleontology dig site, gardens for pollinators including a hummingbird garden and butterfly garden, plus a state-of-the-art observatory and hilltop outdoor classroom. It is a photographer’s paradise, an opportunity for up-close learning, and a sweet respite from the concrete and hurried pace of the nearby metropolitan area.

The sky was overcast and the temperature in the low 80’s, making it a perfect day for strolling around the lovely sanctuary. (That evening, we had snow in the northern part of the state, so it was a quick, warm escape for me!) We saw many rabbits and birds. In fact, I’ve never seen so many bunnies & mourning doves in one place. There were also fish, turtles, honey bees and what we believed to be plump bumblebees. And the colors of the blooming plants and trees ranged from yellow to orange, red, pink, and fuchsia. If your image of the Sonoran Desert is drab and lifeless, the Preserve will forever change that.
The number of bird species was astounding, and Janet commented that there weren’t nearly as many as usual. There were various ducks, cormorants, egrets, pelicans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, sparrows, noisy grackles, and some birds we couldn’t identify.

One area of the Preserve hosts tall-growing saguaros, surrounded by rocks, flowers, and other cactus plants. We stopped there for a long while to watch birds flying in and out of the holes they had fashioned in the cacti to serve as entryways to their homes. I was surprised by the number of woodpeckers; I had seen them only on trees.

There were other areas near the water where a cotton-like substance covered the plants and ground. It was so thick in places, it looked like a white, hairy mold. And then we noticed little pieces floating through the air. It was falling from the trees above.

After admiring an abundance of natural beauty and snapping a considerable number of photos, we went for a delicious vegan lunch. It was great seeing Janet again and visiting one of her favorite sanctuaries of the Southwest. We talked of possibly meeting in the sublime red rocks of Sedona for our next get-together.

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch kindled our fascination and brought us lots of smiles. The beauty in this part of the desert is unique and unforgettable. I hope you’ll enjoy the photos here, and check out Janet’s blog for more.

Desert Blessings,
Lisa
The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
Thank you, Lisa, for the wonderful description! Creating such a place is the work of inspired people.
Also many thanks for the beautiful photos of paradise!
Joanna
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Hi, Joanna, I appreciate your very kind comment. And I agree, the founders must have been inspired with an eye on sustainability. 🌞
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You are welcome,
Joanna
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What a lovely place … it’s picture perfect! It’s not just amazing to be IN nature, but it’s also good to READ about nature too 😊. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post Lisa.
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Hi, Corna, thank you for dropping by and reading about one of my Nature explorations! Hope your weekend is grand. 🌞
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Always amazing to see so much life and colors in a dessert.
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Rudi, good to see you! And, yes, the desert is surprisingly gorgeous. 🌞
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Great series of flora and fauna from the desert, Lisa!
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Thanks, Indira! Wishing you a beautiful weekend! 🌞
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The desert is an unusual and beautiful place especially when it is in bloom. The plant life is such a change from what we have in Ohio.
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Hi, Bev, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the life in the desert is quite different from the midwest. Enjoy your weekend! 🌞
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Thank you, Lisa for sharing such a happy time with your friend in a desert with so much life. 😊 A lovely post.
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Thank you for visiting & commenting, SRB&B! Glad you enjoyed the post. 🌞
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What a feel-good place, creating a haven from a wasteland. Lovely photos too.
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Hi, Margaret, yes, creating this place was a great idea! And I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. 🌞
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What a stunning place and amazing pics! Desert has its own beauty.
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Hi, Kaushal, thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad you enjoyed the images of our lovely desert! 🌞
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Thank you for taking us with you on your nature walk. I really felt like I was there with you. I love the coo of the mourning dove. These doves look plump and healthy, as does the bumblebee. I’m so grateful for the beauty of our planet. A friend from Canada is in Sedona now. She is providing some wonderful photos from there. I wish you two could meet.
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Hi, Carla, I love to listen to mourning doves, as well. We have some that visit our house on occasion. Maybe you can introduce me to your friend in Sedona by text or email? Hope this weekend brings you good news! 🌞
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Beautiful photos! I’m looking forward to taking an out west trip with my girls in a few years (when my youngest is a little older) to enjoy the amazing scenery in person.
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Thanks, Suzanne! That sounds like a fun trip for your family. I hope you can make time to explore not only the desert, but the mountains & Pacific Coast. This half of the country is beautifully diverse! 🌞
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I know! I would like to spend the entire summer out your way so we can see as much as possible. I think my girls would love it!
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Lisa, a wonderful post about a lovely place. It was so much fun to be able to share it with you (as well as coffee and lunch.) Oddly, I have some photos very like these. You’d think we were in the same place at the same time or something. 🙂 Thanks for the nice things you said about me and my blog as well. Looking forward to our next meeting and adventure!
janet
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Hi, Janet, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I look forward to seeing more of your pics from our little excursion. And to seeing you again of course! 🌞
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I’m looking forward to next time too. Hoping to get to the photos soon but I’m still behind on photos from other trips. What to do??? 🙂
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Beautiful pics. The cacti with the beautiful flowers reminds me of those that grew in our yard when I was a kid. I don’t know where my grandmother got the plant, but it had yellow and pink flowers that grew on it. Have a wonderful evening.
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Hi, Shaunelius, I love when memories of childhood are evoked due to Nature, or anything beautiful, really. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos! 🌞
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Amazing place. If we give nature a chance she can recover.
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Deacon G, hi! Yes, it was an amazing spot. And I do hope we get to see Nature recover in lieu of causing our own extinction. Have a great weekend! 🌞
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Thank you for sharing Lisa💕🌸 I love the pictures and your post beautifully showcase the abundance of natural beauty!
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Hi, Henrietta, thank you for your kind praise. Wishing you a blessed weekend! 🌞
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Thank you Lisa 💕🌸 and a blessed one to you too.
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What a beautiful tour Lisa and great images so beautifully captured.. What a fun time to meet up and share the gift of nature. 💖💖💖
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Thank you, my friend. It was a nice way to reconnect. Hope your weekend is filled with blessings! 🌞
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You’re so welcome Lisa.. thanks and you do the same! 💖
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Thank you for sharing this natural beauty, Lisa.🌹
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Suni, hi, thanks for stopping by to view it! 🌞
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You are most welcome, Lisa. Have a great week ahead. 💙
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You as well, Suni! 🌞
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A stunning post, with gorgeous photography. Ahhhh, I miss the desert sometimes. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing this post and pics with us, Lisa! 😁
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I appreciate your kind acknowledgment, Jeff. Hope your week is starting well! 🌞
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What a great set of pictures from what sounds like a wonderful stroll. Cute bunny, it will have to get going if it is going to hide all those eggs before Easter!
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LOL! Glad you enjoyed the pics, Brian. 🌞
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Such beautiful photographs! Thank you for sharing this awesome post with us! 🙂
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Hi, Linda, thank you for your kind words! Have a great week! 🌞
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Great photos Lisa! Someday I will make my way up there! I especially love the middle one with all the yellow flowers!
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Hi, Lisa, thanks for the compliment! I hope you can make the time to visit, as the state is really beautiful. I appreciate your visit! 🌞
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Thanks for another wonderful post! Keep up the good work.
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Hi, Jorge, I am grateful for your kindness. Enjoy the holiday weekend! 🌞
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Lovely place. Stunning pictures.
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Indeed it is a lovely area! Glad you enjoyed the images, my friend! 🌞
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Beautiful skech of desert. Amazing.
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Thank you, Tara! Have a lovely weekend! 🌞
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