San Pedro Riparian Sanctuary

The San Pedro River is the only free flowing river in Arizona. It runs to the north from Mexico. Prior to an earthquake in the 1800's,  barges would travel this river. I thought riparian had something to do with the bird sanctuary but learned that has to do with the landscape along a water source, whether beneath or above ground. The hike we went on last week at Sabino Canyon was also riparian.

This huge cottonwood tree is 36 feet around and was planted in 1948. Cottonwood can suck up over a hundred of gallons of fresh water daily. When you see them in the distance while driving you know a body of fresh water is nearby.

We didn't see many animals or birds while on our walk. The forecast was red advisory. Winds up to 35 mph and dangerous if a fire broke out. The birds and small mammals were hunkered down. We left as the winds were really picking up. We rocked and rolled that afternoon in the motorhome. Dust devils and tumbleweeds rolled through the RV park.