Yesteryear

the magical DeAnza Trail near Tubac

I took one step at a time along the path traveled by so many people before me.  During this past weekend, I quietly did my own thing as I explored places in southern Arizona like the DeAnza Trail, San Xavier Del Bac, and Saguaro National Park(the Rincon Unit). On Sunday, we finished it off with the Arizona Renaissance Festival. 

My morning began on the DeAnza trail near the artsy town of Tubac. Part of this two century +  trail follows the Santa Cruz river. Here the water flows under the shaded canopy of Arizona Cottonwoods and Mesquite trees. I saw several birders trying to find the Sinaloa Wren on that morning.  As I passed them, I wished the birders luck. 

Abert's Towhee

It was a beautiful hike on this cloudy morning. My next stop was the old mission of San Xavier Del Bac.  I wanted to stop here and explore several patches of Cholla cactus found around the property.

Cholla Cactus

The vegetation was all there as were my target birds.....the Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers!  I did my counts around several patches and then tried for some photo documentation. 

the mission of San Xavier Del Bac

At one point, I had a Cactus Wren calling out from the top of a tree.  I stood for 20 minutes just watching this bird along the grassy wash.

Cactus Wren

The weather is beginning to warm up and that means lizards and snakes are awakening.  Look closely at the photo below and you will find the Desert Spiny hanging out between the rocks!

Desert Spiny Lizard next to a Barrel Cactus 

After I did my walk and counts around the Mission, I headed off to Saguaro National Park to do more desert bird counts.  Thanks to my park ranger bud Gaelyn, I was reminded that the entrance fee to the National Parks was waived for the weekend.  It was an amazing way to end the day as I found my first ever Gila Monster!  What a thrill that was!

my herpes lifer, the Gila Monster!

On Sunday, we headed out to Arizona's Renaissance Festival near Gold Canyon where I was able to study raptor behavior during one of their shows.  Even when I'm not birding, I'm birding:)  I love them so much. 

the Eurasian Eagle-owl takes flight at the 2015 Arizona Renaissance Festival

Of course, we also had a great time watching several of the performances throughout the day.

Barely Balanced performs one of their body bending acts!  Ouch!

It was the restful weekend that I very much needed.  After last weekend's "wait for a warbler" journey, I was done chasing rare birds.  And to be honest, the birding I did this weekend is what I like best sometimes.

Some weekends are for strolling, some are for epic adventures and some are for study.  Next weekend, I'll take you into the heart of Phoenix as we look for love in strange places;) And below is a teaser for what Las Aventuras is planning this summer:) "Americano" begins! For now, I hope you all enjoyed this walk back in time.  Until next time friends.

Winter's Veil

My father is in town right now and it has been very busy. But as many of you know, Tucson had a huge snow  storm come our way.  In fact, it was the first big one I've ever seen here.  

 Tucson gardeners must wait until March 15th to prune their plants back because of strange weather events like this one.  While it didn't freeze here, the snow did kill some leaves back.

 I was tired of bringing my big camera.  So instead, I used my cell phone to get these shots.  We headed over to Saguaro National Park and drove the 9 mile loop stopping every once and awhile for some lovely views.

 Of course, I blame my Dad for bringing this weather with him from Wisconsin.  But then again, it was nice to have a snow day:)

 People often ask me why Saguaros stop growing at a certain altitude on our mountains.  It's as if there was an invisible line that said, "No Saguaros beyond this point!"  Here's the reason.  Saguaros can handle some snow but they can't endure long freezes.  Now we do get to freezing temps here in the desert during our winter but not long enough to harm this cactus. Long sustained freezes, however, are another story. And that's why Saguaro stop growing after a certain point on our mountains.  Too cold.

 But the snow would come and go on this day of winter magic.

 But remember, don't prune your plants back yet Tucson!  You must wait:)  I know you're dying to do it.  I know I am......but spring is just around the corner and March will be here soon enough.  Which of course means.....wildflower season, hummingbirds, butterflies, the dry heat??!! Well, let's not rush it. Stay warm:)  Until next time.....

The Panoramic Shots

 Today's post is unusual.  I've never had a cell phone before this year.  It has been a revelation in so many ways.  But the IPHONE 5 has a nice feature known as the Panoramic shot.  It is one of my favorite things to use while on our birding treks.

 Whenever we go out into the field, I like to take a shot of the place we are going to survey and place it on Facebook for my followers.   Throughout the day, Las Aventuras will publish the finds with several pictures.

 Several times I've gone out without my camera just to watch birds and not have the weight of photography on my shoulders.  On this particular morning, my kitty is helping me get some holiday stuffing going for a party we are attending.

The camera is also great for that "before everyone comes and messes up the settings" shot.  This particular pic was of our Thanksgiving get together.  Great food, great weather, great friends and just a wonderful day together.

 I am allowed to survey areas like Madera Canyon(above) and Sweetwater(below) before I begin my trek.

 The shot below is my classroom.  I love color and design.  After years of careful planning, I came up with the perfect classroom that allows for 70 people, one wheelchair, and room to move.  Not an easy task!

 And can you spot Kathie below??!  Overall a fun new toy that I'll be adding to my arsenal next year.  The camera is pretty nice as well.  Some shots I've taken with my IPHONE actually turn out better than my professional camera.  Shocking but true.......

The Desert Speaks

Sometimes the bigger picture is just as amazing as the little one.  Sunset in Saguaro National Park is really wonderful.  If you come to Tucson, make sure you stop here or Gates Pass(or both!) for that wonderful Arizona sky.

It's hard at first to imagine that a desert is full of life because of the overwhelming "brown" color.  Most park visitors from out of state and new to the desert miss the little critters in hiding.  Can you spot the tiny Antelope Ground Squirrel in the pic above?  And for my plant friends, do you remember what those cactus-y twig things are called behind the rocks?  Clue.  Start with an "o" and end with an "o":)  Answer at bottom of the post.

Canyon Towhee

Look closely in and around the vegetation.  There is something always hiding nearby.  But remember not to go digging too much or you may find more than you bargained for:)

Saguaro cactus come in all shapes and sizes.  The above one is dead probably due to a lightning strike during monsoon.  And while they may be dead, they make great perches for hawks and other birds.

And if you listen carefully, you'll hear the desert speak.

Answer: Ocotillo   More tomorrow....

In Our Deepest Darkness

If only it were so simple,
to cruise through life smelling roses;
but the obstacles blacken the countryside, 
and we unwittingly crush them beneath our boots.

Dreams sustain us through the madness; 
goals give a finish line to our race.
Yet they change with every turn, around every wall,
and remain elusive throughout the quest.

Mistakes are made, and regrets are our luggage;
we will drag them with us to slow us down.
The victories are flashes of light, sudden and unlasting, which allow us
to glimpse the road ahead before darkness descends.

Love is bitter, yet it is the bread that keeps us.
Over and over it fills us up, only to starve us.
The people whom we love shape our destinies and our strengths,
yet leave us cold and alone in the darkness.

There are others trying to race to the end;
occasionally, we bump into one or two.
The bonds we form help us down the path less lonely
but eventually, we lose each other in the darkness.

Alone is not a bad way to be;
it clears your head and focuses you on the journey.
Cherish the short intervals during the quest you have with others,
but be prepared to walk alone in the darkness.
                                              The Darkness by Christiana

Drive By Birding

It was so blasted hot!  And it's October!  But the need to bird is constant and never letting up.  With windows down at 5 mph, Kathie and I take a slow drive through Saguaro National Park.  Can you believe I had never been?  It's desert and I've seen it all before.  But I hadn't.

Antelope Jackrabbit

"Can you turn the radio off?"  Yes.  I'm such a dope.  If you're birding, you need to listen for birds.  Duh!  But I was in my car....a place one normally doesn't bird(in my mind). Yet on my drive to and from work what do I do?  Look at birds. But to bird from the car.....It was strange and so much fun all at the same time.    So we listened and drove slowly.

This is going to be fun.  Kathie and I have had some incredible journeys into the strangest places.  Places that I'd normally overlook.  Drive and bird?  Who does that?  "Chris, can you turn that a/c down more?"  But it's hot Kathie:) As I whine to myself in my brain.  It's like a bazillion degrees outside.  And we're birding......

Black Throated Sparrow

And it's incredible fun.  We see a Jackrabbit and for the first time in my life, I realize that I've never seen one before.  How many years have I lived here?  So I've been seeing the Peter Cottentail types.....but never a Jackrabbit.  And it's exciting.

Eventually we stop the car and begin to walk and bird.  There's activity in the hot desert.  Amazing that anything can survive these temps.  And yet they are.  Soon the sun begins to set and time is limited and there are birds out there.  We see and hear them.  They hide from our gazes.  But we walk sandy washes watching for snakes.  It's a total thrill.  We count many birds which include a Turkey Vulture, Red Tail Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Black Throated Sparrow and oh so many more birds.   For my plant friends, we find a Christmas Cholla and many Hackberry bushes loaded with the orange berries....and popular with the birds:)

I'm going through something in my life.  I can't explain it.  But it's powerful.  It was always there but I've let it come to surface over these past couple of years.  There is a calm and peace from it all.  It's more than just some hobby.  It's a passion.  A calling.  All I have to do is take that first step, but I'm scared. I speak Spanish.  I have a plant and wildlife background.  I have an education background.  But I need to learn to shoot a firearm. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true.  That's what is holding me back.  If I can do this, I can make a career change happen.  I did it once when I wasn't so settled and invested.  While "Drive By Birding", we notice a Border Patrol agent checking out something suspicious in the wash.  Incredible wild terrain full of dangerous things.  Over the past several years, one Park Ranger was killed on the job and of course, several border patrol agents and a rancher were shot dead.  As of this write on October 2nd, a border patrol agent was killed this morning. It has hit Southern Arizona pretty hard.....yet again.

Before I pursued education, I sat in a Ranger booth and welcomed visitors to the park in Wisconsin. Then teaching called.

But Kathie pulls me out of my deep reverie and this stupid midlife crisis and we search for birds.  At the end of the night, we sip wine on her balcony enjoying the beautiful night sky of Arizona.  A perfect way to end an amazing weekend exploring Southern Arizona. And speaking of driving, this is one of my songs I'm liking right now on the radio.  There is language so you've been warned:) Stay tuned for more....