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Sonoran Desert

Overview

The range of the Sonoran Desert.

Fountain Hills, the Phoenix Metro Area and much of southern and central Arizona are located within the Sonoran Desert. A desert is technically defined as an area that receives less than 10 inches of rain per year, but evaporates more than 10 inches a year. The Phoenix area typically receives about 7 to 8 inches a year, and being a very arid climate could evaporate far more than 10 inches a year if it was available.

In North America there are four deserts: Sonoran (Southwest AZ, Southeast CA, Baja California and Northwest Mexico), Mojave (AZ/CA/NV), Chihuahuan (Mexico/NM/AZ) and The Great Basin (Most of NV and Western Utah). Fountain Hills is located at the northeast edge of the Sonoran Desert. Altogether the Sonoran Desert covers 120,000 square miles.

Plants

Although many different plants populate the Sonoran Desert, it is best known for the iconic Saguaro (pronounced "Sah-Wah-Ro") Cactus. The Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world that the Saguaro grows naturally. Other cactus that are very numerous here are the Cholla, Prickly Pear, Hedgehog, Barrel, Cereus and Organ Pipe. Since mountains in the desert tend to force moisture out of the air during monsoon season, the amount and diversity of flora often increases on the slopes (bajada) leading up to mountains.

This huge iconic Saguaro stands tall in the Superstitions near Fountain Hills.

The incredibly tough creosote bush and bursage often dominate the valley floors. It is believed that creosote bushes may be the longest-lived plants on Earth, surpassing even the multi-millenia spans of Bristlecone pines.

Ironwood, Palo Verde, Mesquite, Desert Willow are common trees found in this desert. Note that many of these trees will look smaller and shrubbier in the wild than the finely manicured and well-watered examples found in people's yards.

Animals

Many visitors are amazed to find the out how many creatures can survive in this hostile environment. Over 60 mammal, 100 reptile, 350 bird, 30 fish and 20 amphibian species make the Sonoran Desert their home.

In the Fountain Hills area Javelinas, Coyotes, Bobcats, Deer, Cottontail Rabbits, Quail are very commonly seen. In the warmer months Rattlesnakes as well as other non-venomous snakes, varieties of small lizards and the occasional Gila Monster can be seen. Please note that Rattlesnakes are not aggressive snakes. Some get the impression that they are similar to certain Australian snake species that will actually chase people and this could not be further from the truth. They will almost always warn you with their rattle if you are too close and usually have to be intensely provoked to get them to strike. Although having a terrifying name and having a nasty venomous bite, the Gila Monster is a very lethargic, calm large lizard which is of little danger except to those who somehow think it would be a good idea to pick it up.

Insects

One of the many great aspects of living in the Sonoran Desert is the general scarcity of annoying insects. You will find that you can swim at night and rarely be bothered by mosquitoes or gants like you would in most other areas of the U.S. Of course there are scorpions in the warmer months, but these can be avoided with common sense and a little care. Homes can be sealed to prevent scorpions from entering. When outside in the warm months don't reach under things or where you can't see as scorpions like to hide under things.

The tarantula is another interesting desert denizen you will find during certain times of the year. Although quite intimidating to look at they are very easy to spot and generally slow moving creatures. They are also fairly timid and not aggressive. People who get bit do so by picking them up, and the bite is not venomous although painful.

Throughout the year, and especially after rains there can be hatches of certain insects such as Box Elder beetles and mayflies that are annoying for a few days and then go away. Fountain hills has very few annoying insects but keep in mind that if you live in areas of Phoenix and Scottsdale near canals and larger bodies of water that mosquitoes can be a significant problem.

Weather

Green Sonoran Valley in Spring near FOuntain Hills.

This Sonoran Desert valley north of Fountain Hills is green from early spring rain.

Although the seasons are not as distinctive in the Sonoran Desert as they are in Nebraska, they definitely are unique once you get into the rhythm of living here.

Early Summer (May-June-July) is of course the time that the Sonoran is best known for: scorching heat and relentless sun with very little rain. In Fountain Hills the weather pattern for the last few years (2008, 2009, 2010) has seen much cooler than normal temperatures in May and June. July has still been very hot.

Late summer Monsoon season is generally mid-July through mid-September and features building clouds, more humidity and the cooling rains that makes the Sonoran Desert so much more lush than most deserts.

In the fall, the desert starts cooling in late September, and by November the temperatures are very nice in the day and night. By november the snakes and scorpions start disappearing and desert living now becomes the paradise that draws so many people to visit and live here. Although mid-October through early May is usually all great to recreate outdoors, many find fall the best time of all. This is because it usually rains very little from Septemeber through early December and since everyone became used to the 105 degree F plus temperatures in the summer the weather seems very comfortable at 95 in the fall when it is dry and the temperatures just keep falling and getting better.

In December and January winter storms move through which bring much needed rain again and can sometimes take night-time temperatures below freezing for a night or two. Although generally sunny, some of these winter storm fronts can bring 3 or 4 days of clouds in a row with cooler temperatures.

Purple Lupines show off in McDowell Mtn Regional Park near Fountain Hills.

In March many of the desert plants start blooming. In Fountain Hills, if there was any appreciable winter/spring rains, the Brittlebush shrubs will put forth millions of daisy-like yellow flowers that will carpet the hillsides. Again, depending on the recent rainfalls, many other flowering plants will spring up and in some years the hills are carpeted with bright yellow, bright orange, deep violet patches that stop traffic. In rainy years before the flowers the hillsides are often a bright green from dormant grasses that sprout up to enjoy the spring, quickly flower and lay down seeds before the searing heat arrives. New visitors during this time of year are often stunned to see how green everything is.

As the temperatures increase other plants will flower in sequence: the spiny Ocotillos produce vivid orange blossoms at the end of each of their arms with vibrant green leaves running down them. Cactus of all varieties produce some of the most stunning flowers in a diveristy of colors, which is surprising considering their in-your-face ruggedness. Saguaros usually are the very last to bloom with large white blossom clusters at the top of their arm(s.)

Beauty

When most people think of a desert, a dry barren wasteland of sand dunes and animal skulls often comes to mind. Many first time visitors are shocked at how green and beautiful the Sonoran Desert can be. Even in the hottest part of the year the rugged Saguaros and desert trees are green and stand tall against often deeply hued rocked formations rising into the blue sky.