The Old Pueblo: Fall Glory

The Sonoran Desert is the lushest desert in the world and this is one of the best times of the year to see it. The weather is a little rainy, and in the 90s - a huge improvement over 110*+ - so things are green. This really is Tucson at its finest. 

The north end of the Tucson Mountains. 

The Catalina Mountains to the north. There's a ski lodge up there on Mount Lemmon.

A nice Arroyo (a dry wash) (a seasonally wet creekbed)

A barrel cactus

Arizona became a state on Valentine's Day 1914.

Bird of Paradise 

Tarantula. This is pretty rare. I've only seen 5 or 6 in my life. This one is smaller, the size of the palm of your hand. And it's dead. :(

A Mormon Temple 

Do UFOs count as illegal aliens?