Snowy Arizona

This storm has been in the making for some time.  We've been hit with storm after storm here.  Visitors escaping the frigid cold temps of the North aren't so happy, but we, the locals who live here, have loved it. The night before the storm arrived, our local weather forecasters told us to get ready for the arctic blast. 

Schools were closed and an official "snow day" was declared. The night before we planned a trek to Saguaro National Park to take pictures. In the morning, there was just rain and then I heard Micheal yell from the dining room, "There's snow!"  Snow in midtown is RARE.  In fact, I don't ever recall seeing snow here.  The closest thing to white this neighborhood ever sees is cocaine or maybe a leucistic Rock Pigeon:)

As always with these two crazy friends, one was focused on using her new camera in the snow while the other was throwing snow balls.  We were amazed by the amount of water here. 

I counted birds and did my surveys at my local patch, Reid Park, taking lots of documentation photos.  For those of you who know Tucson, you know how hot it gets here.  So today was for Tucsonans.  There were so many happy faces everywhere. 

It was an unofficial holiday. For one moment, there wasn't any Christmas madness in the air.  The news focused ONLY on the weather.  And for the first time in a long time, I didn't hear that orange baboon's name ONCE.  We were just people in Tucson, in Arizona, having fun in the snow.

The weirdest thing that I witnessed was this cat below playing in the snow with his human companion.  They were doing a photo shoot together and this cat acted like a dog.  Never in my life have I seen a cat do something like this before.  The guy snapped his finger and the cat chased him on the lawn.  If I did that with our cats, we'd have a revolt!

Then there was the day after. WOW!  The views were incredible.

I continued counting birds and enjoyed the cool temps. 

Ferruginous Hawk

The birds were hungry after the storm. During the storm, they huddled under the bushes to stay warm. Every species acts differently in extreme weather. 

the Southwestern Song Sparrow

 Some people were stupid. In the pic below, we saw this submerged truck in Willcox around Lake Cochise.  It's either a stolen truck dumped in the grasslands OR a bunch of idiots who thought it would be fun to go "mudding" in the snow.  Either way, it looked like a perfectly good truck.

It was a strange weekend full of fun and rare snow birding. 

Curve-billed Thrasher

The wildflower show should be amazing this spring. In a way, it was sad saying good-bye to the storm because the summer temps will be arriving soon enough.

Marsh Wren

 For now, I'll try to take in every moment I can outdoors.  There's no rush:)

Until next time.....

When The Heart Calls

The road into Portal.  The "V" of the mountain is where we are going.

Over the next several weeks, there will be many magical moments to share from the road.  For now, I am enjoying Arizona and celebrating its last monsoon hurrah!

The temps begin to fade.  And hummingbirds and warblers make their last push back into their wintering grounds.  While I hate to see them go, I am thankful for the much cooler temps that will follow in their wake. 

Horse Lubber

How does one properly say good-bye to these incredibly beautiful birds?  

Mexican Sulphur on Salvia

After this labor day weekend of exploration, a sleeping dragon awoke.  The birding energy begins to grow again. It's September. The year begins to wane.  And the cooler temps will be arriving soon.

At Willow Tank, AZ

I really love all my birding buds.  They are the best.  We motivate each other to do better and keep going.  Had it just been myself at this place, I would have sat down in the middle of the forest in my tent up at Rustler Park and considered hiking:) The park itself is a great place to watch birds.  No need to hike far. But with the buds, we pushed each other to keep it moving.  

Mexican Fox Squirrel

It's easy to get lost in the moment and so before we all knew it, it was time for us to go back home. But what a show!

Green Stink Bug

It had been over two years since my last visit to Portal which has been waaaaaay too long.  I don't know a person who does not love this place. There are two reactions from people when the word "Portal" is mentioned. "Where?" and "I love that place."  That's how remote this little town is. It should be a top 10 must see in the US.  The Chiricahua Mountain range is a sky island that is home to several unique species of reptiles, insects, birds and mammals in the US. No where else in the US can you find these critters. 

I would also mention that the wildlife here outnumbers the human populations.  The residents of Portal love the isolation from the rest of the world.  There is barely any WIFI in the tiny town.  In fact, in most of the places there isn't any connection at all!

Red-tailed Hawk takes flight from the canyon wall

It is easily one of my favorite places in Arizona.  There are comfy lodges and one restaurant:)  Bring a cooler full of goodies just in case:) Also make sure you have enough gas in your car because the nearest station is 19 miles away:)  If you love nature, you'll love Portal.  Until next time friends.....

Blue-throated Hummingbird

Sanity Of The Mind

Coue's Deer

Let the eyes wander. Glance into the skies above.  

Cave Creek Canyon

Look far.  Look close. Breathe deeply.  

Gall on oak

I wander.  I stray.  I stay the course.  I look forward. Backwards. Glance sideways. 

Blue-throated Hummingbird

For out there in the great beyond lies something deeper and full of meaning. 

Rustler Park

Or maybe there is no meaning at all. But even that carries with it a truth. 

Birders at Rustler Park

Each day, I open my eyes and shake the blankets off.  What will be my story today? I begin with a solid cup of coffee. 

Magnificent Hummingbird

I forget at times that I am an outsider. They feed. They fly. They migrate. I am lost in their flight patterns. Circle. Spin. Dash. Zip. My eyes are mesmerized by their crazy sky dances. 

Hermit Warbler

Time is fluid. It trickles from one moment to the next. One cycle after another. One drop joined to another flowing forever down a path.

Mexican Chickadee

Nature is art. It has meaning.  

Hermit Warbler

It is my therapy. 

Magill makes eye contact with two young male Coue's Deer

Proximity blurs lines. Mammals, birds and all. 

We find peace together. Away from the chaos. Our own personal sanctum. 

The photography featured today is from beautiful Portal, Arizona. 

Picture It

How do I envision retirement?

 Picture it.  Tucson, 2027.  I'm sitting on these chairs with my ice cold mojito with freshly clipped mint leaves from my garden.  No need for cushions on these chairs because I am wearing a nicely padded adult diaper. 

 I'm watching our neighbor's Palo Verde tree drop lots and lots of pollen and flowers.  I snort two sprays of Flonase to help with my allergies.

Since I don't work, I can start focusing on my art.  Placing strange plants together from hanging baskets.

No stressed coworkers or adminstrators worrying about school performance, class sizes, budget cuts etc etc etc.  The nastiest it gets around here is from our freeloading hummer who screams at me to refill his feeder.

 Why do so many people retire in Arizona?  Look at the views and you'll see why it's a popular destination.

Cooper's Hawk

 Of course I'll have to watch out for that Cooper's Hawk who is eyeing me up in the Mesquite.  If I close my eyes for one second; it may be my last as the Angel of Death swoops down on my body.  I suppose I'll have to watch the amount of mojitos I drink. 

Primrose

But then I think, why wait until retirement?  Why not enjoy life now?  Leave work at work and live each day to the fullest.   Summer break will begin soon!!

Fire

Sometimes while I'm with others, my mind wanders to other places. I escape to another space and explore the mystery behind the motion. Here is what I saw......

......a spark.........a twirl.....an image.......

.....as the fire swirl created a person in the center......and only briefly.....the spirit of the ancient one dancing......

......dancing and twirling.....never ceasing to stop........marking the dark skies.......

.....enlightening others to their presence.....making it known......that fire connects us to the very basic and elemental need of humankind........

A blaze. A swirl.  A loop. Vibrations and waves of flames.  Looping over and under and all around.......

......to my delight and awe.  This is what I see.