1000

Greetings all,
Today's post is "blog-centric" and it's about the blogging experience and some things I'm noticing after 2 and half years of blogging.  And it's an important landmark.

Red Tailed Hawk looking Gray in the sunlight

Today celebrates Las Aventuras' 1000th post.  I can't believe I've hit this mark.  Since its 2010 debut, Las Aventuras has been an incredible journey.  At 1000, I look at old posts and think....really?  My first year was a lot of learning (as it is for everyone). Most of the work was documentation and pics taken from the internet during those first couple months.  Lame! It wasn't an overnight thing but something I was definitely passionate about. And like anything, the more I learn, the better I get with my work.  For me it's chronicling the El Presidio Gardens, wildlife, photography and travel.  But I'll admit it's turned a little "birdy" lately:)  And that's okay.  That's where I'm at right now.  The weather has been cooling and so I'll be out in the garden more getting plants in place etc.  I have hesitated to put anything in on our courtyard yet because we are waiting on the fountain to get set up.  And we're very close!

On this 1000th post, I am feeling exhausted and daily updates will be a thing of the past starting January.  I had planned on doing that this year until I began to journal other works.  This blog attracts a variety of searches.  The top ten ALL TIME posts are:

Cooper's Hawk

1. The Wall-It's about Meth addiction in my neighborhood and problems with the cement borders along the El Presidio Gardens
2. Royal Purple Smoke Tree-A popular plant world wide and it's beautiful in the garden here at El Presidio
3. Yosemite National Park-Not my greatest shots and with a terrible camera at the time.
4. Xochimilco, Mexico City-A date gone wrong during my youth.  Met up with someone in Mexico City at this place. I figured that if the date went wrong, I'd at least learn about a new Mexico City landmark. Turns out I made a good decision:)
5. The Gorilla-One of the places on my bucket list. It's at Virunga National Park and about the last of the wild Western Gorillas.  The pictures are not my own but it is a fascinating look at this park around a volcano that I hope to visit one day.  I have lots of goals:) 
6. Wisteria-beautiful plant but doesn't grow well here in Tucson.  If you live in the Old Pueblo, I wouldn't use it.  I've seen it in the landscape but it doesn't "go to town" like say places in California, etc. 
7. Spider Plants-that house plant is still strong and highly favored by people worldwide.
8. Year of the Solar System-written from my notes at a NASA lecture, this post is SUPER long.
9. What's a Rain Chain?  One of my first posts about the exploration of garden art during my docent training at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
10. Birds Beware-about my ignorance and putting spikes on the wall to keep the meth addicts from jumping into the El Presidio Gardens by putting Pigeon spikes up around the concrete walls.  Although it hasn't left my mind entirely, I hestitate because I don't want to harm the wildlife at our place.  But since that write Meth crossing has gone way down due to a Cacti garden barrier going up and high police patrols.

An unintended affect from my work on this blog has been also good for "business". Or from people wanting to use my photography for business or to have in their homes.  Currently I have work that will be published by a university on UNESCO sites in January regarding Coiba island.  Another photo right now is being reviewed for possible use at a local Tucson business.  All of this has made me research the "photography" business more.  All in all, this blog has been about research on everything. And it's all a work of love.

Cactus Wren

The camera work is getting trickier as I am wanting to do more with my photography. I currently use the Canon Rebel.  I have 3 lens that I primarily use.  The 300 mm is my favorite:)  I'd like to thank Rosemary for the Beautiful Blogger Award.  Check out her blog Tales From My Garden. She's a poetic soul with incredible shots of flowers, wildlife and more! Thank you Rosemary.

Juvenile White Crowned Sparrow

7 things about myself?

1.  Love fantasy and sci fi stuff....the inspiration behind this blog really:)

2.  Travel is exciting and it inspires me whether it's here in Southern Arizona or in far away France.  This year I'd like to go to Mexico City, Florida and Montana with a summer trip to Ecuador or Argentina.

3. I do like cats a lot.  When it gets crazy with those teenager folks, I imagine my cats on the couch with me reading a good book.  In fact, I even made a corner in the classroom full of cats.  It's bizarre, weird and funny all at the same time.  My room is an eclectic mix of Spanish art, culture, wildlife, cats, elves, Walter Mercado, and papers that need grading. It's the most comfortable room on campus and I'm proud of the fact that kids enjoy coming to my classroom and hang out. And a place for UA students to train and learn the way of Spanish teaching:)  Passing the torch on.....

4. I like gardening when it's not hot and when home owners don't throw cig butts or trash on the ground.  I also don't like acorn season.  That's when thousands and thousands of Live Oak acorns fall onto our courtyard every year....like now:)

5. I order taco salad everywhere I go. 

6. Love my kindle.  If I'm not writing, exploring places with my camera, I'm reading....something.  Current read  The Animal Dialogues by Craig Childs was recommended by Kathy of FKH Photo Journal. PS THANK YOU!!!  It's a great read.

7.  I would love to have my own personal Mexican Courtyard.

This adventure is just beginning or maybe it has been going on for quite some time now.....but I'm not ready to sit back on my couch and watch TV yet.  There are places that call my name and I'll be there with my camera and notepad to write it all down.  I hope you enjoy the journeys wherever they may be.  You don't have to go far to discover new things.    More tomorrow.....

A Rohrerbot Production 2012

Las Aventuras Celebrates Year 2!

I can't believe I began two years ago!!  It seems longer.  Last year, my mission was to write a post(or two) a day featuring articles from the garden and travel(among other things). 

I took this at Gates Pass before titling my work.

I still share my frustrations with the garden here.  There always seems to be something going on and it is enjoyable to watch.  Our oak trees are still a mess....especially this time of year.  Random things die and random things grow.  The stable plants like Heavenly Bamboo and Oleander grow larger and larger every year creating borders.  I've become more fascinated with solar technology and birding around our garden.  And while the changes are slow, they are happening.  While Las Aventuras turns 2, this will be my 4th year taking over the maintenance for the grounds.  Last year was all about the removal of plants damaging building structure.  This year will be about placing appropriate plants in the right spaces and pruning several plants back for a fuller look in late spring and early summer.  At this point, I will begin to wean the plants from the regular water they required while they were young. Around half of the property has now established itself and requires very little maintenance.

At the Phoenix Botanical Gardens

Last year it was challenging to write a post everyday with my regular job.  There is never a lack of topics to explore or photograph....just never enough time to do it all.  It took a little scheduling to stay on top of it all and keep ahead of myself.  This year I have relaxed a bit on writing everyday allowing the blog to post fresh articles right off the press:)  It was also last year that I discovered that I was posting a lot of work about NASA and our amazing universe.  I decided it wasn't appropriate to post these passions on Las Aventuras.  And with great hesitation, I created Spatial Intelligence.  I would give my life to travel the cosmos.  As a child, dinosaurs, Egyptians and our universe have fascinated me.  Today, I've added several other items to that list:)

There were times where I wanted to scream because blogging became more of a chore and there were several posts that absolutely bored me, and yet today they help a lot of Tucsonans and those other people north of us:)  I found that trying to write during the holiday season is almost impossible.  I also found that doing a photo shoot in December is also impossible.  Luckily, I had planned for that and took the month of November off to relax a bit from writing.

Mexican Fencepost Cactus taken at my friend's house in Phoenix

My blogging friends.  I am so grateful for you all with your help on articles and ideas from over these past couple years.  I've learned so much from you all and it is sad when several people from the blogosphere disappear and never return.  Some people blog for a moment, others blog for enjoyment, and for others, their blogging is a lifetime committment.  Mine is the latter as it will chronicle my journeys in life.  I have a LOOOOOOOONG list of things to accomplish and we are just getting warmed up for travels both near and far. So thank you friends for all your support.  I really enjoy your comments and stories.  There is so much more to share.  Until next time.....

The Rose Garden at the Gardens in Tucson

Where the Wind Blows....

Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that you're eating lots of good food and creating great memories watching football games, going on hikes, or just enjoying that precious time with your family.  The diet can start tomorrow:)

December has mostly been reflective in my writing with some artsy posts which also included, hopefully, some helpful info for people exploring gardening ideas in Tucson along with some travel fun around the state and beyond. Last year I made a resolution....one post each day with quality work behind it.  This year, I will slow down a little....just a little:)....and not be so hard on myself.  There were some intense times as I fought to keep up with my deadlines, find important information, and interview people for data etc.  AND KEEP UP WITH MY GARDENING!!  Epic fail:)

I'm going to be posting at a slower rate this year so I may not publish a story or report everyday, but I'll still be around working on this extremely fun hobby.  So no stress if you don't see a post at 2 AM in the morning here in the States.  I'm okay, just taking it slower:)  I had two moments of pure blogger hatred. During the months of July and November, I found that I didn't want to look at the program! OR pick up my camera!  But then my writer's itch would come back and I'd start doing it all over again.  As the title suggests, this year you'll see some great stuff as trips are being planned out and I'll be all over the place.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll be in your neck of the woods this year! It all has to do with my past and connections to old friends....so stay tuned for what will sure to be some exciting adventure both in the garden and around our amazing country.  This month I have several features on some Tucson plants, the garden, and some memoirs I found in a box last month.  Happy New Year to everyone!  May this year bring us all happiness and health!