Year in Review-Travel

 Las Aventuras took a break this year from international travel.  Why?  I discovered Southern Arizona with new eyes.

 So while I stayed home, we had such an amazing time here in Arizona.  However, we did get a chance to meet some amazing people, visit Wisconsin and bird in nearby Mexico along the Pacific Ocean.

 One our favorite spots was in Wisconsin Dells over the summer.  Wonderful weather along with beautiful forests made for a very special day.

 And in my hometown along the shores of Lake Michigan, we were able to hang out with the family.

 We even found time to visit Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin during the Scott Walker vote!

 My brother and SIL took us to the Green Bay botanical gardens which was a real thrill.

 Sometimes.  Just sometimes.  I wish I could grow some of these amazing green and colorful plants.

We did get out to Mexico though and had an amazing birding trip along the Sea of Cortez to go to the Bird Islands!

 This next year, several epic outings have been planned.  Some are in the works right now and I'll keep you updated.  I am plotting our courses for next year as are my travel buddies.

 Life is full of good people and experiences.  I believe in kharma.  Throwing bad cause out into the world is not good. But when you send out the positive vibes.......

 .......they come roaring back to you loudly full of incredible energy.  And I'm loving life.  Each day is a new adventure whether it be close to home or elsewhere.  All we have to do is step out that door:)

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Beach Magic!

So we've come to the end of our series together.  And I thought it would be appropriate to begin with a shot of a sunset from one of the many shells found on the shoreline in Rocky Point.

You may have been waiting for these beach shots:) Especially if you're not so much into birds. Don't worry Tracy, I think I got them.  Get up early before everyone else does.  I got up at sunrise and found lots of fabulous things.    But to get an idea of how large the ocean is, you have to put something next to it.  Or the shots will be blah.  Like here in the desert.  People who have never experienced the desert, snap shots of our saguaros but when they get home to look at the shots, they turn out rather boring.....so here's a hint:)

Put something like a cute dog in the shot for visual punch:) Plants found in the dune areas include ice plants and Texas Ranger.

Shells are cool as well.

And definitely get yourself out there for sunset and sunrise.  My rule?  Coffee at dawn.  Wine at sunset.  Never let your camera leave your side.

 Because....you'll miss things like this.  Dolphins coming close to shore.  To make an interesting shot of the dolphins, you need several things to happen.  One.  They could be jumping.  Two.  Be on top of them like this jet ski.  Turn off your engine and grab the camera(waterproof).  I use these for our rafting expeditions etc.  The dolphins follow boats, etc because it stirs up the fish....and that's what they are doing here.  Or Three.  Have an object like this jet ski in the pic or you'll just have fins in the water. And that can be boring.

 The route from Tucson to Rocky Point is always in the eye of the beholder.  Here are some more recommendations.  Fill up your gas in Tucson.  Get to Why(the actual name of a town:) for another fill up before entering Mexico.  Stop at the gas station on your left for amazing green chili burritos.  These will hold you over until you get to Mexico.  But most importantly?  Don't overlook the Organ Pipe National Park.  It's pretty amazing.  Large and full of life.  You'll pass it on the way to the Lukesville border checkpoint.

 It may seem like you are driving through a desert wasteland.  Some parts are disgusting because Mexicans throw their trash everywhere.  Just keep driving.  Maybe throw a few coins into the Red Cross checkpoint.  You never know when you'll need them.  But don't stop for people on the road.  Just keep driving and go during the day and NEVER at night.  When you get to your beach house, you'll know why you did this trek in the first place.  The ocean opens up to you and will take your breath away.  Why Mexico and not Cali?  California is overpriced and overcrowded.  Mexico, open and free.  Not many people.  And it's quiet!

 If you run out of gas in Rocky Point, stop at Circle K for gas and not Pemex.  The gas is treated and better for your car.  There are 2 or 3 Circle K's in and out of town.  Tourism is waaaay down in Mexico and it's really a great time to go visit.  And one last point, Mexicans have no problems throwing trash off the boat into the ocean or on their roads.....that's just how they are.  Here is my professional advice on this.  Don't say anything unless you know the people.  My attitude is expressed in this manner. "You may not respect your own country, but I'll respect it for you by doing the right thing."  Mexico has made a few slow steps forward but it's still frustrating for me to see their careless attitudes towards the environment.  As I'm getting older, it makes it harder for me to keep my mouth shut....especially when other Spanish speaking countries are doing MORE!!!  But this is a rant and overall, our trip was incredibly fun and worth every penny.  Plus I love Mexico and the people.  These are just rules to follow because we are near the border.  And every border between countries has the same issues...well maybe not the US/Canada border.  Canadians are very peaceful people:)

 I slept every night outside to the sound of waves.  If you suffer from anxiety, like some of my friends, vacation allows you some wonderful sleep.  It makes you forget about your health, financial woes, family.....and just "be".  So bring your cell phones but turn it ALL off.  Play board games, read books, swim, eat amazing Mexican food and.....

remember to take shots at sunset.  Those are the best:)  Until tomorrow friends.....

Boobies Galore!

This post today will probably get a lot of hits....and all for the wrong reasons.  Even saying the name out loud makes me blush.  Even typing it out makes me cringe a little.  Booby. And it's all about them today:)  But before I begin, have you ever written something that has information that is considered "out of the norm"?  For example, I find that a post I wrote about two years ago on meth and my garden is still quite popular today as it was when it first hit the internet waves back in 2010 or a post mentioning nude hiking last year still gets a lot of hits.  And clicking on the stats "What was typed in" part, is quite humorous:) So I imagine this post today will have the same appeal but for all the wrong reasons:) But hey, maybe they'll learn something.

I was pretty excited about finding the Blue Footed and Brown Boobies nesting on Bird Island because they are normally found further south.....as far down as the Galapagos Islands, Gulf of Mexico etc. So this was a real treat to see in person.  And that's why this post is dedicated to these birds.  If you look closely at the beak or feet, you'll see the light blue colors on this interesting bird.   And like Betsy always says on her blog, "click on the pics to make them larger."  PS.  Betsy, you've coined that phrase.  I say copyright and earn some money off of it:) 

As you approach the islands, you'll begin to see a different kind of bird flying around your boat.  The gulls are still around, but the Brown and Blue Footed Boobies clouded the skies!  There were more Brown Footed Boobies than Blue Footed.  BUT!!!  The cool part?  The nesting habits of these birds....

Check this shot out above.  I've got better ones below.  Savage and brutal...here's the story.  Much like an Owl, their nest isn't anything special.  They take over a rocky area and usually lay 2 eggs.  They have to watch out for gulls because they will eat the eggs or babies.  Growing up with gulls, I don't really care for them too much.  Don't get me wrong.  They are cool, but for my little town of Two Rivers, they were considered cockroaches of the sky.  And I realize how wrong I was back then about these birds, but they are opportunists....just like people.  Maybe we are the cockroaches of this planet.  In fact, I'm pretty sure we are.  Anyhow, during my shoot, I saw a gull snatch a newly born chick.  Okay...it was kinda cool:)

Colonies upon colonies of these birds covered these rock islands.  I can't express how many thousands of birds were found here.  My camera couldn't do justice capturing their nests en masse.  They look like little black blurps in the background.   So here is another interesting fact about the nesting.  While it's common for 2 eggs to hatch in the nest, it's not uncommon to see only one chick survive.  The stronger one will always win....just like anything in nature.  If all of my 5 cats were placed outside to fight and survive here in the desert, my bet would be on my grey cat.  She's a tank! That's why she gets a little extra cream:)  Our pampered white kitty wouldn't have a chance.

Here's some more fun.  Parenting is done by both male and female.

These chicks are also very adorable.  They cling closely to their parents for assistance.

This is a "teenager" below getting ready for take off. 

This Double Crested Cormorant watches on and approves:)  This could be the next great Pixar film!!!

Here is a good example of nesting.  One parent has a chick while the one in the back has two.  My observations saw more one chick nests over the two chick nest.

You may ask how they feed?  The parents regurgitate the food into their beaks and the chicks go inside and help themselves to lunch:)

Look at how this chick is looking at the parent with "hungry" eyes...."open your beak!!"    The parent is saying, "I got nothing here kiddo.":)

I like to joke around a lot because it's fun to get people to react.  But I have an expression I like to use with my other half and others..."Momma bird baby bird."  A lot of bird parents "chew up" the food for their chicks. When my nephews or nieces want their food cut up without using "please", I ask them, "Momma bird baby bird?"  And they get grossed out.   Especially so in my family because my mother has raised lots of parrots and parrokeets.  Have you seen the liquid stuff they eat?  It looks like the food we feed our Senior Citizens at hospitals and retirement homes!!  My first job was at a kitchen hospital in high school. I don't think there was anything nastier than seeing "PUREE" on the menu.  Oh and finding dentures in a soup bowl.  That's pretty gross as well.  My point here.  I don't EVER want to be put in a retirement home.

In fact I write this blog for my later years.  If I start having symptoms of dimensia, I'll have these pictures and stories to remember and be remembered by!:)  I think I am already showing the first signs of it.  You all should hear my father.  He loops!  Seriously, how can a man talk about weather for an hour?!:)  I think he missed his calling as a weather forecaster. Love you Dad:)

This shoot was very special for me and I hope you enjoyed the trip to bird island.  There are some posts that I like to call, "the million dollar" ones.  This is one of them.  They are the posts that allow me to escape roads and humans for days or hours just to experience a world without electronics, people, and chaos.  The ones where I have to keep an eye open for crocs or sliding to my death on muddy trails.....or being thrown overboard by a rogue wave. It's just me, the camera, some water and a few snacks with good friends.  It's not for everyone, but for me, it's perfection.  Tomorrow, we'll finish my series at Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

Alive

Sometimes I withdraw into my own little world.....and just think.  There are little miracles all around me that happen everyday.  I know I make an impact on the world, but it's never really evident how it all goes down.....I just know that I make a difference.  I was born to support structures and be creative within them. Sometimes I wonder if there is ever an original idea out there to be discovered. I open a book up and read....just read. One weekend in Rocky Point, Mexico, I sat back and read, ate carrot cake, read some more, and walked the beach alone picking up shells as the waves crashed over my feet.

I know that everyday is vital and important.  I know that everyday is special and unique.  Sometimes I forget those things and get lost in my routine......and forget to breathe. Photography allows me to focus and shut out the world and pay attention to the things that matter the most.  Gardening also allows me to create and dream of inspiration.  As the El Presidio garden grows; so do I.  The garden angers me, makes me happy, makes me want to do more.....and do less.  Sometimes I just want to shut the doors and not look outside because it frustrates me.  And yet it's still there when I open the door again. 

Sometimes a little getaway helps me escape the work and issues every gardener has in their own world.  But it's when I come back from my getaway that I feel inspired to get back into my work around the property. And that's when I feel alive......

Rocky Point

Things are rough right now for our friends in Mexico.  They're caught in a drug war that is crossing into the border towns of the US.  A lot of innocent people are dying all over and it is a sad fact that currently, I personally think it's too dangerous as an American to travel there.  Those of you who follow this blog regularly know how much I love this country, but from the Tucson perspective, it has gotten too dangerous with kidnappings and shootings.  There is a city that most Tucsonans love to visit besides San Diego and that is Rocky Point or Puerto Peñasco.

It is a place for us to escape and enjoy the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortez.  Unfortuneatly, Mexican tourism has taken a major hit this year with the increase of kidnappings and killings of Mexican and Americans alike.  A recent example is the killing of an American man on Falcon lake near the Texas/Mexican border.  Mexican pirates shot and killed him while he was on his jet ski.  The wife called the police but by the time they had arrived, he was already dead.  The Mexican authorities sent an investigator to search for the killers only to be killed himself.  His head was sent to the local authorities as a warning to stay away.  This is a sad reality right now between our Mexican friends and the US. The peaceful city of Rocky Point has also recently had some issues and attacks by night which now is warning travellers to drive during the daytime hours.

Only 4 hours away from Tucson, this city lets you escape to the ocean where you can watch dolphins jump around the waters and allow you to lazily read a book off your beach porch.  This is why it is a tragedy for all because Mexico has lost a lot of tourism.  The drug war has been ongoing over the past several years with the violence slowly increasing all over the border.  I went to Mexico last year, but for the first time in the history of my travels to Mexico, I actually don't feel it's safe to go and visit the country this year. We were going to travel the Southern loop near Chiapas, but the border between Guatemala and Mexico is having the same issues that are happening here in Tucson.
People still go however and if you do, make sure you travel by day and always with a group of people.  Lock your doors and keep your belongings secure at all times.

Rocky Point and her sister village south, San Carlos, are extremely charming places to just relax....  Personally I am a huge San Carlos fan.

San Carlos, Mexico

As you can see by the pictures, this is a beautiful place to visit....so hopefully soon our friends in Sonora will have a decrease in violence down the road because it is an incredible place to visit.....furthermore, it is the southernmost part of the Sonoran desert which has a different group of plants that only grow in that region. We have one of the most incredible lush deserts of the world....it's definitely a must see.  Happy and safe journeys!