Empire Ranch

Kestrel

In search of a bathroom before our trek, we explored a new spot at the Empire Ranch.  Old buildings stood near a strip of forested land.  As we got close to the buildings on the gravel road, Kathie and I noticed lots of bird activity.  What would we find flying around this area?

Kestrel

Well there were lots of birds to see, but it was amazing to find quite a bit of activity happening around this old property.

I jumped out to find a Barn Owl or two but this Northern Red Shafted Flicker(below) caught my attention with its amazing red wings while in flight.  This is one hot bird!  Look at the design.  I didn't get it in flight  but that was pretty spectacular as well.

Northern Red Shafted Flicker

Huge kingbird activity on this day.  Kathie had her notebook and wrote things down.  I had my camera and shot billions of pics.  The difference? She documents and I snap:)

Kingbird Action!

And while around the property of old buildings, we stopped at several and it was cool.  But we also kept our eyes out for snakes inside the abandoned buildings.

Imagine redoing a property like this and making home in a beautiful grassland area.  I'd love to have lots of money to do things like this.  There is a lot of work that would have to be done to restore these buildings and old ranch but it's still nice to dream:)

I don't know why I love this light fixture so much but I do.  I think it reminds me of the old glass that my grandparents used to have in their homes.  Before my Grandmother passed away, she told me that she wanted me to have her china.   It sits back home waiting for me to bring it back to Arizona.  There is a train ride in my future to collect these antiques.

So while this house was abandoned, we both explored all the little nooks and crannies around the property and took a break from the heat.

Eventually we made it outside and did more walking around watching all the bird action going on.  And there was lots to see.

The problem is that I didn't know where to point the camera.  There was action on the ground, air and on the buildings.  And not all of it birds.

Canyon Towhee

There were these brilliant flashing red grasshoppers.....the large Lubbers all about.  Really quite beautiful.

Horse Lubber Grasshopper

So there are two special shoots that happened that I felt needed their own posts coming in the next several days.  One relates to nesting Barn Swallows(pretty amazing) and the Sonoran Pronghorn.  You won't want to miss these as Kathie and I continue our journey through the incredible grasslands of Cienagas near Sonoita.  More tomorrow....

Birding Around The Patagonia Area

Western Screech Owl

Another owl and another amazing hike.  This time in the Patagonia area!  Surprisingly I had never been.  It was a bright day.  I did more hiking than taking pics, but it was a fun day with a lot to see!

Patagonia Lake

Patagonia lake costs 10 bucks per vehicle with 4 people. It's a really nice park full of camping, swimming, trails, and boating.  In fact, you'll find a little bit of everyone here. This park does cater to the birding crowd and has several of the best trails to help discover our feathered and furry friends.  Meanwhile the RV enthusiasts, swimmers, and campers will all stick together in their own areas.  Patagonia is one of the most diverse areas for birds and humans using the park for various recreational services.

However before I went to the actual lake, I stopped at a birder's haven....the Sonoita-Patagonia Preserve.  Bring 5 bucks cash with you as they don't take debit cards.  No machines.  Today I met several birders on this trail that I WON'T use for role models.  Oh goodness.  Where do I start?  Not typical of any birder I've met so far, these "birders" were loud and obnoxious.  One of them claimed to be a Professor of birding somewhere in the south of the US, but I don't even know how that was possible!!!??  There was a group of Javelina in the reeds and one of the women, with her thick Southern drawl, screamed, "LOOK!!  THERE ARE THOSE JAVELINAS!"  Unfortuneatly they did not attack but instead fled the scene:) If I had been the Javelina, I would have done the same thing.

This Western Screech Owl is very cool. And well hidden in the trees.  I thought I would spot more, but my neck gave out.  I tried to hang with the Southern birders for awhile but they were nuts.  Loud.  Obnoxious.  Shouting.  I hope the poor owl didn't die of a heart attack from the way they were climbing all over the base of the tree!  At one point, "the Professor" showed me his pics and wanted to see mine for comparison.  You know that contest...."Whose is better? Bigger?" etc.....ohhhhh some people.  While they were scrambling to set up their equipment to get a better shot, I took the opportunity to fade into the background and escape.  And was I glad I did....

A much quieter path lay before me.  And I kept my eyes open for movement....anywhere and everywhere.  It can be very exhausting.  I think I hiked about 6 hours today!! The path was shaded and a birder's paradise.

There was plenty of movement in the branches and I honestly was a bit lazy with my camera.  I forgot to take them because it was such a beautiful day and a wonderful hike on some fantastically maintained trails.  Birders and nature lovers will enjoy the walks.

As I walked past a birder, he whispers, "Deer to your left."  And there they were.  Silently I watched them watching me out of the corner of their eyes.

I smile to myself.  Even the simplest of things like spotting a deer makes me happy.   I sat for a few moments and watched as she grazed incognito.

At the end of the Railroad Trail, I reached the creek where I sat for a few moments to take it all in......

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Fluttering about me was this Mourning Cloak Butterfly that captivated me with its beautiful shades of brown. 

Some of the oldest Fremont Cottonwood trees are found here.  It's also home to several endangered fish, bird, and insects.  Bring binoculars and a good pair of hiking shoes.

The American Robin

During this day, birders searched high and low for the Rufous Backed Robin.  I couldn't find them, but I did see plenty of American Robins.

And how about some Western Bluebirds?  Here are the best shots I could get of these lovely birds. 

And the  birders were goo goo gaga over the Phoebe bird.  Seriously, everytime I encounter a birder in the woods they are so excited!  I see Phoebes everywhere I go.  So I took several shots to prove it.  It's a cool little bird but I don't understand why they're so cool.  Maybe they don't have these little guys back home?  In fact, when I hear Phoebe....this is who I think about.....

Not my own pic...obviously.  But the one below is.  Again many of my birder friends may not find that funny.  This is Phoebe from the TV series Friends.  It just shows you the kind of birder I am:) The odd duck.  But here's the Phoebe that they're talking about:)

If you are interested in more info on the Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve, click here.

Hope you enjoyed my little trek.  More tomorrow.....

Woods On a Snowy Evening

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost published in 1923.

                                                        

"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

Sonoita Vineyards

This was delicious!!:) Serve cold and enjoy.

A Happy Customer

Have you ever gone wine tasting? Wish you could?  If you live in Tucson or the surrounding areas, there is a place that is not so far away....Sonoita.  The drive was beautiful and so was the weather.  As you are driving higher into the hills, the cactus gives way to grass, rolling hills, and vineyards!

Right now in winter, everything for as far as the eye can see is the color yellow.  When summer arrives, this region receives 16 inches of rain.  That is more rain than Tucson gets in one year!! At about an hour and a half drive, you will see the dramatic changes in plant life.

Personally I prefer the red wines over the white ones.  That day we sampled some very nice wines from our area.  One of the wineries, from 13 or so, was terrible.  Remember if you don't like the taste of the wine, dump it into the bucket below or spit it out.  Smell, swirl, and taste.....but take your time:)  We only made it to the 4th winery before calling it quits.  I was the designated driver and didn't get to sample the wine too much. Taste, spit, and either buy or not buy a bottle:)  That was my job.  That day we purchased several wonderful wines like champagne, merlot, and a dessert wine. Bring money.  The cost to taste is around 3-4 bucks a stop.  Bring your own wine glass to save even more money.

I don't know why but I thought these pics were cool but this was the only tree cholla cactus I saw around the area.

If you see this barn, you are driving in the right direction.  Usually people start with the Lightning Ridge Cellars and then go backwards to Sonoita Vineyards, Village of Elgin, etc.

I learned something new on this trip.....you can drink champagne with a hibiscus flower in syrup!!!  It was so good that we bought a container of them for when my sister visits from Wisconsin.  Serve champagne and then put the flower into the wine. Delicious!

It looks like this.  Try it!! 

My first wine tasting experience in Sonoma, CA. One thing I loved about being a "Californian" for a couple years was their appreciation of good wines....thanks to the nearby Napa Valley!

Here is a link to get started!!  http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/


It's a fun day.  If you'd like a tour, call in advance and your party must be 10 or more people.  Pace yourself or by the afternoon, your head will be spinning.  Make sure you have a designated driver.

Final thoughts about life on our way back to Tucson.  It was a fun day and reminded me that I need to take time from my busy schedule to do day trips like this more often....like I used to do in my twenties.  Sometimes we get so busy, we forget to take time with our loved ones to enjoy life's pleasures. If the twenties were about living and experimenting, and the thirties about security and stability, then I can only imagine what the forties will bring.....and I can't wait!