Field guide

Desert cottontails can hop up to 18 mph and use their large ears to regulate body temperature.

Photographed · Phon D Sutton Recreation Site

Males have distinctive black plumes that curve forward from their heads like a question mark.

Photographed · Phon D Sutton Recreation Site

Can stand motionless for hours waiting to strike fish with lightning-fast precision.

Photographed · Phon D Sutton Recreation Site

Mourning doves can fly up to 55 mph and their wings make a distinctive whistling sound during takeoff.

Photographed · Tonto National Forest (Apache Junction)

This fast lizard can run up to 15 mph and is found primarily in Arizona's high desert plateaus.

Photographed · Horton Spring

Rock squirrels can live up to 9 years and are excellent climbers, often seen scaling cliff faces.

Photographed · Horton Spring

These intelligent jays can remember thousands of cached food locations and use tools to extract insects.

Photographed · Horton Spring

Can live over 100 years and lean southwest toward the sun, earning the nickname 'compass cactus'

Photographed · Tonto National Forest (Apache Junction)

Called 'jumping cholla' because segments detach so easily they seem to jump onto passing animals

Photographed · Tonto National Forest (Apache Junction)

Woods rose hips are rich in vitamin C and were traditionally used by Native Americans for food and medicine.

Photographed · Horton Spring

Jerome was once called the 'Wickedest Town in the West' and clings to Cleopatra Hill at a 30-degree slope.

Photographed · Jerome / Sedona

This 3.2-mile loop atop Airport Mesa offers 360° panoramic views of Sedona's red rocks and sits on a natural vortex site.

Photographed · Jerome / Sedona