History(And Birds)

Mexican culture is alive at the La Fiesta de Tumacácori

Years ago I moved to Arizona.  Then I traveled the world just to confirm how cool Tucson really was. Maybe there was some place even more amazing?  But after all my adventures, it was Tucson that I would, without a doubt, call home. As I have invested myself into the community over the years, I have become part of the Tucson fabric.

My first true passion, before birds, was the Hispanic culture, specifically the Mexican one. 

The closest I could get to Mexico (and still be in the US) was Arizona.  I didn't want Texas, New Mexico or California.  I wanted Arizona.  My 8th grade trip to Flagstaff forever changed my life.  When I went back to Wisconsin after that magical summer in the canyons and mountains, I knew that one day I would leave my hometown for good.  Then during another magical trip to Mexico City my Senior year of high school, I altered my course once again.  Spanish. As I did my research, I discovered a little city(at the time) known as Tucson. This city had the best of both worlds.

Cactus Wren

This weekend, we took the history club around Southern Arizona to visit all of our amazing landmarks. It was such a fun time.  Not only did we combine the old missions and the mining towns of Tombstone and Bisbee, we were also able to watch live performances of traditional Mexican dance.  (And on the side), I had the students point out the birds that they were observing. It was the ultimate wildlife, historical and Mexican heritage tour ever.  Seeing Southern Arizona through their eyes reminded me of my love for this state. 

The Earps meet in Tombstone at the OK Corral

The trip was organized by my friends Lori and April who then invited me along for the fun. They hadn't been to many of these places before and I had mentioned that I often go to bird around these historical sites.  Once we packed the students up in the vans, our adventures began!

Common Raven

How often do I pass these places and not really look at the majestic churches or old towns?  Well in my defense, I'm forever looking for or at birds:)

the mission of San Xavier Del Bac

During our trip, I ran into a former student who graduated with a Natural Resource and Spanish degree (and was working at Saguaro National Park!)  My dream job!  She was at a booth in the festival promoting National Parks. I was so proud.  She told me she earned her Spanish degree because of my class. And that's always good to hear. Better than a paycheck. Then a current student met with my now much older former student and it was so strange! I saw the beginning of the end.  The teacher becomes the student again. And his former student becomes a mentor with wonderful advice about getting into the national parks system. 

Lark Sparrow at the Tubac Presidio Museum

 The current students had fun role playing at the Tubac Presidio.  Imagine being in this old classroom.  It has style!  I'd love to have a classroom like this!

I introduced the students to Mexican Jays. Or was it the other way around?:) Jays are always cooperative birds....with a little food.  Again, a student brought Ritz crackers and was munching on them when the jays heard the crinkle of the package and then........we had pretty blue jays all around us.  

Mexican Jay

We strolled along the roads of Bisbee doing a little holiday shopping in the wonderful fall like temps. 

the old mining town of Bisbee

Wherever we had wildlife, we stopped to look at it just like we would if we were on a tour in a mine or museum. 

White-tailed Deer at the Chiricahua National Monument

It was a beautiful weekend out. 

Lori and April at Tombstone

On a side note, if these posts feel like they are up and down emotionally, they are.  During this trip, my Grandma's husband finally passed away. Life doesn't care.  It forces me to keep going but it's amazing how I can go from laughter to tears each day. Between my Grandma, her husband Bob, my cat, the political scene here, conservation attacks, tours, it's amazing I haven't gone bonkers.  But writing has helped me process all of these emotions. This past weekend I took a bad spill on a road while hiking.  I was telling a student to be careful and as I said it, I tripped and did an acrobatic feat that I didn't even know I could do.  My training has taught me to roll.  So instead of breaking a bone, I have some nice scrapes and bruises on the left side of my body. I always wondered how people fell.  Now I know. It sucks.

I am reminded that life is full of surprises and I have to roll with the punches(and scars:). I do know that we had an amazing experience this weekend and I'm grateful for those moments. There is yet so much more work to be done and by educating our youth about these historical and wild spaces, we are helping the young understand the importance of these much needed landmarks. They are, after all, why I moved to Arizona in the first place. Until next time.....

Furry Finds

Elk from the Grand Canyon

It's not always about the birds, plants or landscapes.  Sometimes it's about the furry critters great and small that we find on the trails.  Here are just several from the various photo shoots around Arizona and Colorado.  Spying on birds has led me to these wonderful mammals by accident.  Many times they are unaware that I am near.  Birds will fly around people, but mammals hide. Most of these shots were taken in the absence of humankind. Do you have a special encounter?  And if so, which critter was it? And where did it happen?  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Chris

Gray Squirrel at Ramsey Canyon

Rock Squirrel at Box Canyon

Coyote near the Santa Cruz River, Tucson

Javelina in Patagonia, AZ

Antelope Ground Squirrel at Saguaro National Park, Rincon Unit

Bobcats in the shade.  Tucson, AZ

Bighorn Sheep at the Desert Museum, AZ

Mountain Lion at the Desert Museum, AZ

Ocelot at the Desert Museum, AZ

Mule Deer in Yarnell, AZ

Hooded Skunk on the Proctor Trail, Madera Canyon, AZ

Coati, Madera Canyon

Red Fox at Bear Creek Nature Center, Colorado Springs

Sonoran Pronghorn, Empire Ranch near Sonoita

Jackrabbit at Saguaro National Park

Mexican Fox Squirrel, Portal, AZ

Coues White-tailed Deer near Ramsey Canyon

Feral Cat, El Presidio Gardens, Tucson

Feral Cats checking out the bird feeders at El Presidio

Leisurely Walk

We went for a walk.  I handed my camera to Pat after I took some shots of the Robin's feeding off of the Madrone berries. It was too much.  I just wanted to walk and take it all in.  No camera this time.

American Robin eating the berries from the Madrone Tree

On this particular day, I was with Pat on a nice walk but still hoping to capture that Coati or Juvenile Elegant Trogon reported in the area.   But it was in the early afternoon when one shouldn't bird because of two things.  One.  Birds chill and disappear. Two.  Families with their kids come in droves!  As they should.  But watching birders get angry with the groups of kids and parents can be quite funny....when it's not me who is birding:)

"You know if you were all quiet, you might actually see some deer!" said the British birder lady loudly to the kids and their parents.  The liquor smelling father retorted, "Yeah, I'm sure that's it."  I stood with Pat watching the interaction going on.  The couple were trying to find the Red Naped Sapsucker when the loud family came along and I understood all too well their anger.  After they left, I helped them locate the 3 birds in the area trees.  Personally I was looking for the Lewis Woodpecker reported in the area.  I'm getting good with sounds and quickly ID'ing the birds.  "Nope not that one. Not that one......"

But back to this "Leisurely Walk", I found it anything BUT leisurely.  I couldn't hone in on the bird sounds as it was people loud and that frustrated me.  When it actually was clear, I replicated, crudely, the Elegant Trogon "bark" with my throat. Pat actually had a laugh at this.  I'm learning bird and I'm serious about it!

This cell phone has made a huge difference for me on the trails!  Bird ID, Bird Sounds, Rare Bird Alerts, Messaging with other birders, GPS tracker, directions......well you get my point. 

After I realized I wasn't going to get any decent shots, I handed my camera over to Pat and I felt the weight off of my shoulders.  I sat in the rocker provided by the creek and got my internet connection  back to check the Rare Bird Alert for the area.  It was actually nice having Pat snap the shots.  I sat and watched the deer get close to us and just enjoyed relaxing after a walk.  But even better, I watched Pat get excited about using the camera to get those shots and practice that steady hand on manual. Maybe, just maybe, I'll pass that shutter bug thing on and we can be a dynamic duo in search of awesome wildlife:) But until then, I'll get my butt up early and go on my searches before the evil little children and their not so sober parents head out to the trails:) BUT, we had a nice walk together and I can't complain.  Afterall, while in my rocker, the deer came out and walked right next to us.  That's the magic of knowing the forest:)   Every outing has merit.  It might not always be new, but it's always something special. The British woman was right:)  More tomorrow...

Deer Season

Shooting.  Killing.  Hunting.  They've got to be some of the scariest words for deer.  In Wisconsin and around our country, people are cocking a gun and taking aim!  This post was inspired in various ways as you'll see today:)

Well one.  It's about the deer.  On my birding/wildlife adventures, I came upon many deer from around the country.  Mule, Whitetail, Coues, Pronghorn(not a deer...but like a deer:)......and they are all so beautiful.

I'm not against hunting at all.  My family hunts in Wisconsin and eat the meat.  In places like this state, it's important to keep the population from bursting into the millions.  Currently there are over a million deer in Wisconsin.  Deer cause many deadly car crashes. Or maybe that last sentence should read....humans cause many deer to die.  Either way, it's dangerous.   And in cold winters, deer can die from starvation.   Therefore, I always think it's important to allow for some hunting to happen in certain places.

I tried to hunt with my relatives when I was younger but didn't enjoy it.  But don't think I don't understand the thrill of a hunter.  As a photographer, there is a definite adrenaline rush that I get everytime I find an animal or bird. And in many ways, pushing the button on my camera is a lot like pulling the trigger of a gun......except I'm not killing anything:)

Many birders have stories about getting caught up in a hunting area while looking for birds.  It's only then that they realize hunting season has begun.  And quickly many pray to the gods that no one shoots them while searching for that Snow Bunting.  There's a lot of scary(and funny) stories out there about getting caught up in an area that's open to hunting.  So to my birder and wildlife friends.....be careful!

Almost anywhere I went, I would discover deer.  Sometimes they would run.  Sometimes we would just stare at each other.

So to the deer out there, I wish them the best of luck.  I believe that the wildlife know when hunting season begins because many of them migrate to areas where hunters can't enter.  They're no dummies:)

In fact, earlier this year I reported that Nuclear Power plants around the country note a higher percentage of wildlife around their reactors when hunting season begins.  If a human enters these secure borders, they are shot....not the deer or bear.

The best part of wildlife photography is that I've gotten really stealthy and can sneak up on some animals.  My body afterwards feels it when I get home.  I push my muscles to the limit sometimes bending and crouching around trees and bushes.

The pics below made me burst out laughing.  In Colorado Springs, this buck stood still.  He just froze.  But I saw him and told everyone to freeze.  My 4 year old nephew and I caught the deer with our eyes.  He's good to take out into the field:)

But everyone had a good laugh including the homeowner of this place.  She was walking out to her car and found the new "lawn decorations":)  We were across the street staring at these beautiful animals.

So venison.  In Wisconsin, people hunt and garden and hunt and fish and garden.  I was the little hobbit that enjoyed gardening with my Grandparents.  I didn't like hunting or fishing because that was disgusting....especially if the food had that "gamey" taste to it.

But I was educated by my very crafty brother-in-law.  He is a hunter and fisherman.  And he's an amazing cook who knows how to prepare meats like venison etc. 

One time I came home from school and was super hungry.  I raided their fridge and had myself two helpings of lasagna.  Little did I know that it contained venison!!!  Had I known I wouldn't have eaten any of it.  But thankfully I was given a second chance to try it out.  At first I was disgusted with myself for having eaten it, but I also helped myself to their food.....so it was my fault in the first place.  When they found out, they had a great laugh because they know how I am when it comes to fish and wild meat.

The secret to getting rid of that "game" taste?  Use half hamburger meat with half venison!  Did you know that venison is better for you and leaner?

I love my veggies and don't eat too much meat but is it bad that I love chicken or turkey?:)  Plus I love deer very much.  So I wish both sides luck this year.  Hunters may you feed your families.  Deer may you find sanctuary and safety away from the orange ones. And birders, may you not get shot or run over by either.  Please research before going out into the woods wherever you are!  So what's your take on deer hunting?  Love it?  Hate it?

And to everyone out there.  May your holiday season begin on a good note!  More tomorrow....