Apache Junction, AZ (3/19 & 3/20/2019)

Knowing that the Vernal Equinox full moon was approaching, I wanted to be sure to get photos of the moon rising over Superstition Mountain.  Concerned that weather may not cooperate for the full moon, I decided to get some moon shots a day early.  That proved to be a good move, as cloud cover prevented seeing the actual full moon.  Here is a sequence of moon rise photos when the moon was only 96% full.

A lot of people showed up that night at this very popular location for sunsets.  One man asked if I had seen the cougar.  He then explained that a shadow on the mountain resembling a cougar reportedly occurs around the equinoxes.  He had not seen it himself, and didn't know the exact location where it could be seen.  We definitely couldn't see it from this location, so I later researched the phenomenon and learned where to go.  The "cougar" appears to be creeping down the mountain in the center of the picture.  Can you see it?

While scoping out the area for seeing the cougar, I noticed that the neighborhood there had some unusual decorations in the yards or on the homes.  I decided to photograph some of it to share.  Fortunately, no one came after me for taking pictures of houses.

It wasn't surprising that horses were a popular theme for decorating.

Mining and prospectors also showed up in a few instances.

And a variety of other themes could be seen, including a diorama commemorating World War II and more recent significant events in American history.

Of course, some homes simply had pretty landscaping.  I don't know the name of the yellow flowers, but they were in many yards and growing wild in the desert.

While driving around the outskirts of town, I was surprised to see a horse-drawn carriage driving along the shoulder of the road.  Apparently, this was a training exercise for the horse.