The Day To Day

As the sun sets at Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico

Micheal and I both work as a team.  We enjoy exploring and scouting new areas together.  And sometimes we work alone.  I am constantly following up on information for this blog to keep it fresh and original.  I couldn't do some of this blog without his help as you'll see today.  

Brown-headed Cowbirds on Mule Deer

On our way back home to Tucson, we drove through New Mexico which is a really great place to explore.  One of our favorite places to visit is Bosque Del Apache.  We usually do a loop around the entire area on our way home.  Afterwards, we'll get a bite to eat in the nearby town of San Antonio at the Owl Bar and Cafe.  It's a unique place full of interesting locals.  

Personally, I like the restaurant for it's dark booths and green chile hamburgers.  Bosque can get warm and rather sunny during the summer making the "Owl" a good spot to cool off and let the eyes adjust to the darkness......and weird looking biker people. It's a hoot:)

Red-winged Blackbird

Once we got back home, Micheal had to work and I needed to get the garden area cleaned up.  I've been promising for weeks now to do an update from the El Presidio Gardens. This is something I can only do now when I'm not working my regular job. 

El Presidio Courtyard

I'm happy to report that many of the plants I put into and around the courtyard are doing well. June is usually the worst month as it is hot and dry, but this year the plants seem to be doing very well because they have finally established themselves. Around the fountain, we've placed bird and butterfly friendly plants that require very little water. 

My side garden

This month our peaches will be ready to pick.  We also have three species of hummingbirds nesting around our property right now which is pretty cool.  

The fruit garden

I had two days off before attending a week long conference. As I'm starting the week inside a classroom, I get word that there are some recently fledged Western Screech-Owls in someone's backyard. But I cannot leave.  So I sent Micheal off on a mission to go get the footage and take the data on these owls. They are by no means rare, but they can be tricky to find.  Normally, a person will just hear them in the night making their ball bouncing call.   

Western Screech-Owls

I go over the rules with Micheal about reporting owls on ebird.  He knows them well, but we always review our target birds and how "sensitive" we need to be when reporting a special bird.  "Make sure you move the marker away from the sighting and hide the report." Unfortunately, there are people out there who will cross the lines to get photos of owls at any cost (which includes the owl's safety).  So owl reports in our home are always hidden from the public eye. 

We also discuss keeping an appropriate distance from the owls while taking photos.  He did a great job and had a fun day out.  So I am very grateful that he followed up on this very special bird. 

Finally, I miss my cats so much while we're out on our longer treks.  So it's always wonderful to see our feline friends waiting for us when we get home. Nova, below, is a rescued feral cat that we captured at our home.  Today, she is a pampered and neurotic kitty who constantly requires our attention:)  In fact, all of our cats are rescued.  Not only do we save bird lives by keeping our cats indoors; we help these cats live longer and healthier lives. Feral cats make great house cats, BUT you have to capture them when they are kittens. 

Nova is happy to have us home

Now that I'm back home and finishing up with this conference, I'm getting ready for a bigger trek.  Life definitely is not boring:)  It's good to be home for a week and hide inside of our little home from the nasty heat. 

Callie prefers a lasagna dish over her fluffy cat bed

Every day is an adventure if we make it one.  We owe it to ourselves to smile and explore each and every day.  Even during my conference, I found happy moments during the day.  You can choose to drive through an area OR STOP and explore a bit.  I have found that it's not always about getting from A to Z.  It's about exploring all the letters in between that makes my day more interesting. 

At a cool ramada in New Mexico during a lunch break

Until next time friends......