A uniquely Arizona sight is about to prowl again out in the far East Valley. A rare cougar-shaped shadow will appear on the Superstition Mountains near Mesa starting this weekend.
The puma-shaped illusion forms at sunset in March and September around the spring and fall equinox. For about a week, the angle of the sun hits the Superstitions’ craggy cliffs just right, creating the silhouette of a stalking desert cat ready to pounce.
It’s a popular sight that draws people from across the Valley eager to snap photos. The cougar shadow’s first appearance of 2026 runs from Sunday, March 15 to Saturday, March 21…