Friends of Cave Creek Canyon (FOCCC)

08/30/2026

FoCCC Nature Journaling group met at Cave Creek Ranch Sunday August 30th. Before going forth to see what we would see, we talked about Zen, Dolly Parton and butterflies, of how everything changes, everything is connected and how paying attention matters. The next hour and half offered us close inspections of hummingbirds, deer, wild turkeys and their chicks and the joy of sitting by Cave Creek, listening to it flow, watching frogs, dragonflies and butterflies dance under and over the surface of the running water. The butterflies were abundant, but the population decreased by at least two. One from the successful predation of a dragonfly and the other, gulped down by a frog. Everything changes. Pay attention.

We are canceling and rescheduling our September 13th meeting. Please join us next Sunday, September 6th at 9:00 at Cave Creek Ranch classroom.

08/25/2026

You'll see the highest concentration of butterflies on rabbitbrush here from late August through October with peak activity during the September migration window. We saw these a few years ago in a wash filled with rabbitbrush near Paradise. The first is a Gray Buckeye, second a Dainty Sulphur and the third a Western Giant Swallowtail. The photos were taken by Steve Wolfe and used with his permission.

08/22/2026

A few weeks ago we'd mentioned our new slideshow at the Visitor Center's main screen and that all of the photos were taken by residents of Portal. Here are a few from bird guide and new Portal resident James Petersen, used with his permission.

08/18/2026

FoCCC Nature Journaling group met in Paradise on Sunday, August 16th. We sought shade from which to observe the plants and pollinators, with the sound of East Turkey Creek flowing in the background. Ancient oaks, the creek and horsetail milkweed, Asclepias subverticillata, captivated our attention. We observed at least six species of butterflies, including 2 monarchs, Pepsis wasps, milkweed bugs and several true bugs among the flowering stalks.
We concluded that milkweed flowers are complex and fascinating! Research back home explained why one skipper butterfly appeared stuck to a flower, struggling mightily to lift off from it. Apparently, a leg or two were caught in one of the deep slits in the flower that contain the pollinia, double packets containing the pollen. So, while not a carnivorous plant, many insects do actually die or lose a leg or two as a result of being caught in the flower slits. Fascinating! What you learn when you stop and draw the milkweeds!
Join us for our next journaling meet up, 9:00-11:30, Sunday August 30th at Cave Creek Ranch classroom.

08/14/2026

Did you know that snakes germinate and spread seeds? And Bendire’s Thrasher is named after Major Charles Bendire who once popped a Zone-tailed Hawk egg in his mouth after raiding a nest in a cottonwood tree as he needed to use both hands to go down the tree and escape Apaches who had heard the scream of the Zone-tailed? (He allegedly broke a tooth while attempting to remove the egg due to its large size.) These and other fascinating articles, along with photos of summer birds taken by residents, are in Friends of Cave Creek Canyon’s Summer 2026 Newsletter. Thanks to Rene Donaldson, the editor.

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08/12/2026

While there's nothing as notable as the Tufted Flycatcher at Barfoot, Rustler Park is currently worth a visit too. The Elderberry shrubs are fruiting and attracting a variety of birds. And there are plenty of molting Red Crossbills, many very approachable, to make the drive up top worthwhile. Here are some of the birds seen at Rustler on Monday, August 10. The first is a Red Crossbill, the second an immature Spotted Towhee, third Buff-breasted Flycatcher, fourth a male Western Tanager with an elderberry, and the fifth an Orange-crowned Warbler. All photos by Steve Wolfe and used with his permission.

08/10/2026

This past Thursday local guide James Petersen found a Tufted Flycatcher while leading a tour at Barfoot Park. This photo was taken by James and used with his permission.

08/07/2026

Friends of Cave Creek Canyon Nature Journaling Group met at the Portal Library on Sunday, August 2. Six of us explored the plants and animals around the library, capturing enormous sycamore leaves and a perfectly matched katydid, juniper branches and a triad of Asparagaceae: sotol, soaptree yucca and mountain yucca. It was a warm day, but time flew as we slowed down to enjoy this beautiful place that we call home.
We meet next on August 16th at 8:30 at the Paradise Cemetery, where we hope temperatures will be a little cooler and flowers more abundant. Please email Margaret at [email protected] if you are interested in carpooling and learning more about this meet up.

08/01/2026

We mentioned earlier that the visitor center will be getting a new slideshow featuring many of Portal's resident photographers. Here are samples of what you'll see. Be patient -- it's not up yet! The names of the photographers are in each description.