Wonderful Wednesday

Here's how the day started

  

                          Looking West                                                               Looking East

Expecting a warm day, we started early on our hike along the Salt River north of Mesa in the Tonto National Forest. We were hoping for a sighting of the Salt River wild horses; saw about 10 or so in an area where it seems that their forage has been supplemented with green hay deliveries so that they stay healthy.

Also known as mustangs, from the Spanish word mustango, which means, "wild, stray, or feral animal," the wild horses are thought to be descendants of Spanish colonial or Iberian horses brought to the Southwest by explorers in the 16th century, like Father Eusebio Keno who came through this area in 1691.

 

"The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) is an Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to monitor, study, and protect the Salt River wild horses. Our goal is and always has been freedom, protection and humane management of this treasured historic and recreational resource."

A prickly pear cactus living in the stump of a mesquite

We were excited to spot this bald eagle perched high in a tree along the river. Stayed back as we did not want to startle the bird. Apparently it is breeding season for these magnificent birds, so, in late December 2023, Arizona Game & Fish put out the following warnings:

"Arizona’s bald eagles are back, and they will soon be preparing for the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. 

To assist with the state’s continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 97 eagle breeding areas. 

To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help these majestic animals and ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring. 

“Arizona’s bald eagles are hard at work preparing their nest for what we hope will be a productive breeding season,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, bald eagle management coordinator. “The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots. That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds and ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.” 

During the 2023 breeding season, 76 young hatched, and 65 reached the important milestone of their first flight, known as fledging. "