Las Brisas Del Mar

Ring-bill Gull

Who knew a gull could inspire so much happiness?  Growing up with gulls, I found them to be full of aggressive mischief and poop.  But on a recent outing with Kathie, this gull changed the way I felt about our day.  It was a difficult morning for me.  I had a hard time focusing.  I was tired.  And frustrated.  Essentially, I was not on top of my game.  What's worse was that I didn't get great shots of my lifebirds or any bird in general.  This was the only bird shot I was pleased with(above).  Kathie saw that I was not my usual self and was very kind and patient.  I've been pushing myself to do better, but as we all know and experience, we don't always have it our way.

Roosevelt Lake-no people

In times like these, I have to remember to breathe and just take it all in.  I used to do this but my brain is wrapped around birds birds birds birds.  Plotting.  Planning.  Scheming.  Ultimately, it has changed me.  Not all for the good.  I understand why many birders get irritated on the trails now.  Too many people will spoil a day quickly.  Such was the case when Kathie and I went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  Now Las Aventuras took you there about 2 years ago.  It was an amazing place.  And it was actually my first time taking pics of hummingbirds (which aren't really so good looking back on them:)  That's the fun part about having a blog. We watch ourselves grow as writers and photographers. I can only answer for the photography:) We have to start somewhere.  There were birds and oh so many of them.  But do you think any of them would work with the photographer???  Not on this day.  Terrible shots would be taken of the Williamson's Sapsucker, the Warbling Vireo, and Verdin nest!  The lighting was all wrong.  And hawks were hungry making everyone hide really well.

The Apricot Trees at El Presidio.  Each blossom is a fruit. 

So the biggest thing we looked forward to(the Boyce Thompson Arboretum) turned out to be the worst idea.  Sure I got lifebirds, but they came without awesome photos.  There were too many tourists screaming and shouting along the trails and THAT was frustrating.  I am a lister, chaser, photographer, and do enjoy the counts(as long as they aren't Northern Shovelers!:)  But I am chaser and photographer first.  We didn't dip on any of our birds this day, but I did dip on the photos and that made me frustrated.

Sabino Canyon near the dam-no people

So it made me rebel several days afterwards.  In fact, Kathie and I both had it up to our necks with people spoiling the birding mood and we went off and did our own thing.  When we arrived at Roosevelt Lake, it was like the dawning of a new day!!!  Except that the sun was setting.....as was the realization that we had a long drive back home! But what a truly magical and a great way to end our day.  Yet we both were sad that we chose to bird at Roosevelt at the end of the day instead of the beginning.  Live and learn I guess.  The days that followed made us focus more on the road less taken(by tourists) and our trips were unforgettable....and people-less.  And the glorious birds!!!

My Red Baron Peach Tree

But meanwhile, back in my garden at El Presidio.  Spring has arrived.  My peaches and apricots are blooming.  The winds have changed.  No longer are the cold breezes present.  And with this change marks the beginning of spring here in the Old Pueblo.

Lucy's Warbler -no people!

Kathie and I would both continue to bird together and alone.  But we grew wiser about our planning and we birded before the great masses of people came full force.  In Tucson, it's high season for tourists.

Great Egret as the sun sets at Agua Caliente Park-no people

Migration has really been an exciting time for us.  Sometimes it came from watching the Turkey Vultures blast off in the morning at Ft. Lowell park.  Or listening to the new chorus of bird songs around the city.

Turkey Vulture-I'm in a wash alone

This Lark Sparrow below tweeted and fanned his voice like a bug to catch that lucky lady to begin their new lark sparrow family. Good luck buddy!

Lark Sparrow-a guy with a dog was at the park....a sign to go home

Families begin.  Rookeries form.  And all around us is this wonderful harmonious song that is carried forth on the warm winds.

The Circle of Life.  Great Blue Herons land for the night around Roosevelt Lake

The Sandhill Cranes of winter have mostly gone and left these fields empty once again.

Whitewater Draw-no people

During one afternoon after work, I stood in the middle of Sweetwater as thousands of Yellow-headed blackbirds flew around me. The wind from their wings brushed against my face and made me smile.  Again no people were present.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Sweetwater-no people

And the gull over the water reminded me why I bird.  It's not always about finding the lifebird or getting the shot.  Sometimes it's about taking it all in.  Kathie has that part down.  I still work on it. When I saw the gull, I felt energized again and excited.  This bird is the symbol of my hometown from Wisconsin and it reminds me why I moved to Arizona many years ago. In my own way, I'm that hometown gull who found his way into the deserts and canyons. On this night, I saw something incredible.....a majestic gull flying over a desert lake.

 I must remember to pay attention to the direction of the wind.  Going against it is most unpleasant and creates more work. Yet when I move with the momentum, I float effortlessly like the gull over water. In other words, sometimes it's just best to stay home and not bird:)

Peach Trees In Tucson

Hey hey hey!!!  Have you heard?  The peaches are here....the peaches are here.  This year at Presidio all 3 varieties (Red Baron, Elberta and Babcock!) have produced delicious peaches.  The reliable peach over the past two summers has been the Elberta (producing plenty!).  And this year 2 more surprises!  The Red Baron and Babcock both have peaches on them!!!

Babcock Peach

These pictures were taken on 6/30 and they should be ready to eat now.  A couple things to note about growing Peach trees in Tucson.  Like any fruit tree, they will need plenty of water if you are going to have plump and ripe peaches:)  They also surprisingly will take our sun if watered well.  I placed all 3 in different locations around the property.  Two had almost full sun along a water line and the second(the Red Baron) was in some shade.

Red Baron Peach

Now about placement.  Put them along a water line.  All of these trees are dwarf trees which means they'll only grow to about 12 feet.  Perfect height for picking peaches:)  Another reason to plant peach trees?  In Spring, when it's cold(for the desert) and there's nothing on the branches, the first sign that spring is around the corner comes in the color of blooms!!!!  Depending on the variety, the blooms will be red red or a bright pink.  Each bloom represents a peach so protect from winds during this time period.

And what about wildlife vs. the peach?  You all know I am an avid fan of birds and everything else.  Some people have suggested putting brown paper bags over the fruit and leaving a few out for the birds.  Surprisingly it wasn't the bird I had to be weary of.....it was a huge shiny alien green beetle known as the Figeater(I'm calling it Peacheater)!  I came back from my trip last year in July and found that they ate about HALF!!!  the crop.

Elberta Peach

So keep an eye open for these critters in the Tucson area.  A reliable fruit tree for the desert.  Chill hours are the lowest for this particular fruit tree.  Apricots and Nectarines also do very well here.  For two years I've had a few green apricots on the trees but they seem to disappear....hmmmm......now I think a bird may be responsible for these disappearances:)

I look forward to tasting the 3 different peaches as they ripen.  What fruits are growing in your garden?  Would love to hear your favorite seasonal fruit right now or what fruit you've had success with?  More tomorrow....

This Figeater should be called Peacheater:)

El Presidio Blooms!

 Spring is here!  And with it comes all the blooms and new additions......

 Gerber daisies, roses, Tangerine Beauty Crossvine to name a few.....

 Plus a new bird house......

And let's not forget the fruits of our labor......newly formed peaches after the blooms wilt away! 

There's so much happening at El Presidio right now and it's exciting watching it all come together!

The Cacti Soldiers

I'm enjoying my coffee today before we go and do some patching up on the roof.  The big rains come this weekend.  While I sit here, my cats attack me because I am not paying enough attention to them. Why is it that while I'm on the computer, they have to sit on top of my keyboard, bite me, chew on the wires below the desk, get into fights near me, or jump on my shoulders?  I mean..I don't mind...but when you have 5 cats, one can be a little overwhelmed by their kitty madness:)

I love flowers and so do my cats:)

Here are some of the things I am working on for my upcoming blog entries....the neighborhood, several local places in Tucson to visit that will rock your world (and give you tips for your garden!), a trip to Europe and her gardens(focus: Spain, France, Italy), and local areas like Wilcox and Florence.  There is a lot in the works and I'm slowly piecing together my pics from old disks and jump drives.  Today, I thought I would return to my work here in the landscape and show some of the things that I am putting into place plus giving updates on the peach trees and the stone wells around the trees.

Okay, Tucson guy....where's your cactus garden?  If you were a true Sonoran desert man, you would have cactus in your landscape. So where's your cactus garden?  While putting together my landscape design, I didn't want to have fruit trees or other plants around these prickly guys. One of the mandates from the homeowners was to have an edible yet attractive landscape where people could garden and sit back to relax.  There are children that run around the property and it would be a terrible thing for them to meet their fate while picking an apple screaming all full of joy only to run into a million needles of pain worse than death.  If you live in the desert, you know what I speak of:).

Security against the "meth zombies"

Currently I am adding more...just haven't gotten to potting them all:) 

I love cactus...I really really do.  That's why I moved here....so....what do you do in a neighborhood full of meth heads?  Remember I mentioned in a previous blog about the bi-polar nature of my neighborhood....between good and evil??? Well here is where my cactus buddies come into play.  It is SOOOO important for a person to not do anything their first year at a new place with their garden.  Why???  You need to see where the rain flows during both summer and winter AND where the sun hits AND where your shade is AND if you have any "shady" people that enter into your yard every now and then:(.  I hate drugs and all things related to them, but this place was a dream come true for me.  I couldn't afford an hacienda style home, but we could afford a Melrose Place style condo where I could work my magic.  However with that came the sketchy neighborhood side of the "meth zombies" who steal everything and bring bad people to our "hood". 

 The Barrel Cactus is fun!!

We would have people cross our courtyard and climb our fences to get into our place.  They've stolen a lot off the property and have created some security issues.  So when in doubt, you need to have 24 hour protection and I needed my soldiers....the cactus family. A tip to remember...every plant serves a purpose.  I love all things cactus so to include them in the landscape, they were placed all around the property where I discovered people climbing walls and guess what???  They've kept the people out. No one likes getting stuck:)  They act as a barrier to keep unwanted visitors from entering your sacred grounds, PLUS they are the most beautiful plants in the world that we are fortunate enough to grow.....so my cactus garden acts as the bodyguards on the property:) Did I mention they don't need a lot of water?:)

The Red Baron Peach Tree

In the garden this week.  The Red Baron Peach trees have produced several delicious fruits.  To my excitement, several residents discovered them and ate them and loved them.  A garden to excite the senses!! Smell, color, touch, and TASTE!!  Everything is developing nicely around here.....again, none of this is over night, but a plant here or there adds up and the next thing you know, you live in a forest:) All fruit trees were planted this past February and March and are now in the production phase or soon to be production phase.  The plums are still developing but they were started bareroot and had some beginning issues. They are doing well now just don't think there will be any fruit for a year or so.....

The stone well waiting to be filled around the Eucalyptis Tree

The stone wells. I have been extending the garden further out as vegetation gets older.  3 trees planted 2 and half years ago are tall enough now for me to put in wells around their bases.  The important part of this process is to not get the trunk wet!!  You will kill the tree or it will get a disease that will kill it so you will see barriers around the base.  I will fill in the area with soil and put in groundcover which will "green up" the grounds more.  I'm not into any grass on the property so the groundcover, which I'm thinking will be verbena, will go into that space.

The Ash Tree

Finally, if you're looking for a great garden show to watch before you get out into the garden, check out Central Texas Gardener out of Austin on Youtube.....you'll love the show as they have a lot of great tips.  Until the next blog.....happy gardening!!:)