
Brown’s Ranch was founded in 1917 by E.O. Brown, a Scottsdale entrepreneur, and encompassed 44,000 acres at its peak, supporting 3,000 to 5,000 head of cattle. His descendants lived on the ranch until 1970. After changing hands several times, the remainder of the ranch was acquired by the City of Scottsdale in 1999 for inclusion in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Preserve is a large, permanently protected, sustainable desert habitat that includes an interconnected network of non-motorized, multi-use trails (hike/bike/horse) accessed from multiple trailhead locations over 30,500 acres. It is the largest urban park in the U.S.
Brown’s Mountain
It was a sunny, windy day and the 3 mile Brown’s Ranch Trail just got prettier and birdier the farther we went. We’d never been to any part of the Preserve before and I had no idea it was so beautiful. The trails were great. We’ll be exploring more of it soon.
White-crowned Sparrow (on agave stalk)


Ocotillos
I imagine in the spring, when the desert is in bloom, that it is even more spectacular.

Cactus Wren (on agave stalk)
Cholla, glowing
Cone Mountain

Phainopepla, male (on agave stalk)
Saguaro skeleton
Harris’s Hawk
Gilded Flicker couple

Curve-billed Thrasher

Red-tailed Hawk
Yes, those are bullet holes even though shooting is not allowed in the Preserve. But this is Arizona, the Wild West.
Mount Humboldt with FAA Radar Facility
Northern Mockingbird (on agave stalk)
There were no lifers but it is definitely on the “return to” list, at some point. And I learned that birds love dried agave stalks so I am in search of one for my backyard photo props.