Shirley (wife) and I hiked the Tortolita Preserve-East Loop early Saturday morning (2/15/20) and I hiked the Wild Burrow-Alamo Springs Loop early Sunday morning (2/16/20). The Tortolita's are teeming with wildlife and wildflowers. Now is the time to take advantage of the perfect weather for hiking and enjoy our beautiful Dove Mountain environment!
We have a pair of great horned owls mating in the Eastern portion of the preserve. I was able to get a shot of Hooty napping in a tree. Mrs. Hooty was nearby---heard but not seen.
We can also report, that despite the recent cold snap, the wildflowers are already beginning to bloom. The winter rains appear to be making this a prolific wildflower season. Here are some of the wildflowers seen on the Wild Burrow and Alamo Springs Trails.