Hiking in Ramsay Canyon Preserve, Arizona

I went to Ramsay Canyon Preserve this past Tuesday. It is a little gem of a walking area nestled in the canyons just east of Sierra Vista AZ. The woman at the trailhead bookshop said there were loads of butterfly species, hummingbirds and other birds around but although I heard them (the birds that is) I only saw a couple of butterflies and a hepatic tanager (a red bird that looks something like a cardinal) and loads of dragonflies. But I intend to go back out there a few times before I leave because it was such a beautiful spot and there's a good climbing path that goes for a little over 3 miles roundtrip up to the link with Hamburg Trail. Almost 1000' elevation gain from 5500 to 6200 so that will keep me in shape for my UK rambles. 

Borrowed a great book from the library yesterday--Lonely Planets' Walking in Britain (52 Great Walks). Had my mouth watering for all the places I could walk through. Problem is I will have to choose my walks carefully if I am going to be alone. Walking/hiking up in the West Highland Way may be problematic--not a good idea to hike alone. The book did give a couple of websites for walking clubs and I am going to do a thorough research to see what clubs exist and where. 

Anyway, here are some photos from this week's hike: 

This photo reminded me of the views I would get from hiking above Santa Fe. 
 

I thought this rock formation was interesting. Reminded me of New Hampshire's "Old Man of the Mountain" 
 

Don't think you'd see this plant back in the East though. The area really is so biodiverse with cacti growing beneath oak trees. 
 

I almost got a photo of the hepatic tanager but just as I clicked the shutter, it flew away. But the deer were very accommodating.