A Journey's End

It started earlier this year.  A mother returned back to a nesting area as she has for the past 3 years.  3 eggs were laid in a very visible spot in the center of a school courtyard.  She would stay with those 3 eggs day and night until they hatched.

I watched and watched making sure everybody was okay.  At first most people didn't know about the owls. But as time went on, they would become the main attraction in the courtyard for everyone's viewing pleasure. In the past, most owlets died from her choice of "nest".  One survived last year.

The days would get warmer and the eggs would get closer to hatching.  Both owls went searching for food and brought it to the nest.

Several birders would also discover the delights of Great Horned Owls.  Sally and Robert would film these next shots.  The owls were vigilant and never left too far from the nest.  They would fly back and forth making their presence known.

Eventually, two of the 3 eggs would hatch.  And within a 3 week span, these birds would grow at an amazing speed. 

They began to peak their heads up.....and grow more.......

And out on the ledge they would go....ready to fledge.  And then at 5 PM, I received a call telling me that the owlets were gone.  My blood pressure went up.  Who took them?  The owlets were attracting a lot of attention.  Students were climbing over the sides of the square windows to get shots.  And the birds faced near 100 degree temps.  The odds were against the owlets and teenagers lacking common sense. But I held out hope for the owlets:)

I had a difficult night sleeping because there had been no communication whatsoever about the owlets getting rescued. It meant an early start to my day along with getting my AP, final exam stuff ready for next week. 

I arrived in the morning and discovered that the left hand of our school didn't let the right hand know what was going on.  A group of teachers took it to the next level without contacting the rest of us who had also been watching the owlets.  I had been contacting people all over town like the Desert Museum or Wildlife Rescue in case something had happened to these owlets.  When a student had thrown a ball into their nest area, I nearly flipped! ... And there were signs of dehydration.  There were also too many people watching these amazing birds and everyone kept them up during the day.  They were afterall famous.

So I went to all those involved who decided to go to the next step and make sure that the Wildlife Rehab group  was legit.  And they were.  But again, there was miscommunication.  The group involved did the right thing but made an impulse decision without all the facts.  The Refuge believed the parents to be dead.  When I told the person operating the organization that the parents were quite alive, there was a pause. But with everything said and done, I am still relieved that the owlets were "rescued".  Getting to school everyday was a stress for me because you didn't know what the news would be.....but now, I have a number and contact to check up on them.  I will have one more report in July on the owlets as the rescue organization will be presenting at the Tucson Botanical Gardens(where I volunteer as a docent).  TBG is doing a special focus on birds and gardens this year because there has been an increase in birding around our area.  Incredible stuff.

So I'd like to tell the Mom and Dad Owl.  "Your babies (from my phone call) are with two other rescued Great Horned Owlets and they are doing well."  One of the owlets would have died for sure if they hadn't been rescued.  Both are eating plenty of food and will be re released back into the area in fall of this year. They are also certified with Arizona Game and Fish.  So this story has a happy ending.  But as the saying goes, where one journey ends, another begins......:)

I have so much more to share with you all.  Sometimes I can't keep up with all this work, but I do it because it's something I definitely love:)  A lot of exciting stuff coming up! More tomorrow....

The Funny Thing About Butterflies

It's always a treat to work at Butterfly Magic in the Tucson Botanical Gardens, but I have to admit that it stresses me out at times.  Why?  How would butterflies stress me out?  You may ponder a bit as I tell you the tales about the taboos of inappropriate butterfly touching......

In previous posts, I've shown you highlights with butterflies on plants, told you about the plants that butterflies like, and even had shots of them flying.  But today I'm going to take a turn to the darkside as I tell you about several experiences I've had while working at this place and I'm hoping some random people who search this on google will discover several of the do's and don'ts of entering this sanctuary.  Butterfly Magic runs until the end of April at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Here are some rules that people often forget while inside this place.  NUMERO UNO.  NEVER touch a butterfly.  Adults that goes for you.  Watch your kids because several of them like to naturally pick up the fragile insects and handle them.  I also caught several adults attemping the same shenanigans!  When I turn my back, they are doing it again.  When another volunteer tells them the same thing....and they still do it......I pull out the Jersey girl.....Mary.  She sets everyone straight.  It's a Jersey thing.:)  If she pulls you out of the house, good luck. 

I never know what shots will turn out at Butterfly Magic, but I certainly know when a photo presents itself.  It was a cold rainy day in March before the visitors arrived and while spraying down the plants, these Pink Rose Butterflies landed on the orchard to sun themselves!  Perfection.  I took about 20 shots and I was only happy with two due to slighly blurred images on the rest.

When school busses with small little children visit.  Oh anxiety!  Children are naturally curious and we want to feed that curiosity so we ask parent volunteers and teachers to please pay attention to your kids and students.  No texting or facebooking while in the greenhouse...plus why would you want to?   I watched as "Tomboy Sally" muscled her way through other kids picking up butterflies while a mother was texting someone.  When I spoke with this adult, she simply shrugged her shoulders and ignored me. Bad move.  I called Mary and she pulled "Tomboy Sally" out with the adult.  They were never seen again. It's a Jersey thing.

The Monarch

Essentially there are 3 posts inside the greenhouse. 1. The Entrance.  2. The Interpreter and 3. The Exit Person.  I like the entrance as it is rather easy to go over the rules and collect tickets. Watch where you step and if they land on you, it's okay:) Plus it's nice and cool with little possibility of butterflies escaping.  The Interpreter is the one job I'm getting better at. It has taken me a year to get comfortable identifying butterflies on sight.  This is the one where you tell others about the tropical butterflies.  Most people will ask and I'll answer.  However, if someone doesn't ask, I let them absorb the experience on their own.  Some people don't want their spaces violated with information that they could care less about.....so I stand nearby ready to assist if someone has a question. But I think the worst post is the Exit person.  You have to stand by the door and check everyone as they leave.  Awkward moments galore here people. And as a man, I am not too crazy about them.

Paper Kite

Take the case of this young couple.  They are ready to leave and I have my butterfly brush in case any get on their purses or clothes.  Normally it's not an issue, but during this day, a Morphos would land right on the lady's chest and in an area that is not appropriate for another man to brush.  The boyfriend replies, "Looks like this butterfly has the right idea." and begins to move her female parts around in front of me.  I stand at the exit staring off onto the other side of the building(where I see the boy picking up a butterfly with this hands!) And I'm stuck because the interpreter is busy lecturing.  Meanwhile, the Morphos leaves her chest and they both giggle.  I look back at them.  Help them exit and go after the little boy who I had told several times NOT to touch or pick up the butterflies.

A visitor asks me, "Do you ever have any angry people in here?"  Of course she referred to other visitors, but it took me a sec.  "Never." I reply, but had she asked about volunteers......well I would have lied:)  If a butterfly lands on you, it's okay but remember to never pick them up:) And also watch where you step because they do like to "puddle" on the ground.  And remember, if I have to call Mary on you.........:)

Splash!

Originally, I had scheduled this to a be a post on our new bird bath here at El Presidio, but a more colorful subject came my way and stole my heart:)

This is a Lorikeet and it was time for a bath.  One of the fun things about birds is their habit to wash up in a puddle of water, bird bath, or near an area of water that is shallow and still.

And that's important when searching for the right bird bath.  You don't want a dish that is too deep.  It has to have an easy escape and not feel like it will drown. Much like people.

When searching for a bird bath, there are a billion and one ideas out there.  My personal favorites are the brightly colored ones! Like this Lorikeet.

But even better.  My absolute fav?  A rock bird bath.  Now that is perfection!  Several of you have bird baths like this and they look amazing in your gardens.  So as you can imagine....a rock bird bath, a colorful parrot, some splash.....and me with a camera. What's a guy to do?

As I am into birding more, I am wanting more action from the birds outside.  So I am providing them reasons to stop and play at El Presidio.  Not only are birds important but these little art pieces we put into our gardens add a sense of magic and wonder. 

Imagine a hot summer day in Tucson.  You're coming home after a long day at work.  You see wonderful shade and birds taking a bath.  Now that's a cool idea:)  So much more to come.....
Side Note: Make sure that the dish is slighly filled with water and not completely full.  Birds like to get their feet wet and roll around in the water. But can be easily spooked and need a quick escape.  Otherwise your bird bath will just sit:)

Fledgling Great Horned Owlets

 During "Guacamole Day" in Spanish class, I noticed two heads sticking up in the nest area.  The owlets are becoming more and more active each day.  "When the young owls are 6-8 weeks old, they begin to venture from their nest. This is before they can actually fly. Nature's method provides owlets opportunities to develop their leg muscles that will very soon be catching their own prey. In a natural setting owlets that appear to have fallen from their nest actually have fledged."

"In a natural wooded area, bushes and smaller trees provide a ladder of sorts and allow the chicks to climb to a higher perch until they can fly. When owls nest in a city with concrete below them rather than a soft forest floor, problems arise. That is also the case with a well-manicured park or lawn setting that has nothing that can function as a ladder for the tykes." Source  At our school, we have lots of students and one Ironwood tree for them to climb.  The odds of success?  Luckily the ground below is NOT concrete.  When will they fledge?  And then begin to branch?  Soon.  It may have been today.  So many questions and unknowns.

 There is a lot of action going on outside.  I investigated around the area and I have some good news to report.  For now, both owlets appear healthy.  And second, both Mother and Father were spotted together.  The rumor about the male being killed by crows was just that.....rumor.   We have to keep an eye on both these owlets because they are in a high traffic area.  So playing detective, I went to locate the parents.  A walk nearby would reveal their location.  Here is a ground squirrel hiding out in the shade.  But does this little guy know hoo is above him?

 Lucky for him, she's sleeping:)  There's a lot going on.....students, finals, owlets, graduation....and it's all rather chaotic.  Again during this active time, I'll try to do my best and keep you all updated.   

Terra

 Spring is a mighty colorful time in the desert....or it can be with some helpful plant choices.  Today the theme is orange.  If you're a fan, which I am, you'll love some of these colorful spring plants for our Tucson climate.  Our first plant today is the "common" Ice Plant Orange Bush variety.  Place this beauty in full sun and plant sporadically in repetition with the jagged aloe for some kick. Water more as it gets hotter, but be careful not to overwater. Protect from winter freezes. 

 Add rock mulch around the plants for a nice clean look.  It's an excellent choice for pots as well.  Used as a groundcover.

 The second plant that sticks out this time of year is the Clivia Miniata.  Normally this plant is grown as a houseplant, but here in Tucson, it can be planted in almost full shade during the summer with some filtered light in the morning.  It reminds me of an Amaryllis bulb growing outside.  You'll have the flower in winter or spring but during the rest of the year, it just blends in with the other plants and adds a nice green foliage to the mix.  Moderate watering as it gets warmer.  NO direct sun.  Excellent in plantings along homes near entrance ways.   Protect from freezing.

 And how about something that is native here.  Check out my favorite pic from this series today.  It's of the Coral Aloe which is low maintenance.  This hot number is popular with bees and hummers and adds some wonderful color in spring.   Likes sun and is found around the Tucson area in almost every yard:)  When this plant blooms, people, bees, and hummers notice:)

 Why is the shot so "cool"?  Well, in my mind, this bee is flying in "perfection".  Imagine the world through the bee's vision.  What does it see?  What does it sense? If you were that small, what would the world look like through your eyes?

And this last shot is to inspire.  Surprisingly, Tucson has lots of trees that set off pink, white, and purple flowers around the landscape.  Look into the Mexican Buckeye or a fruit tree like peaches or apricots to plant in your landscape. They love our Tucson climate, and honestly, there's nothing better than a fresh peach off the tree in July after a hot day in the garden.  After spring, the yellow and pink will be replaced with green and to be honest.....that's okay.   Create your own masterpiece with agave, aloe, yucca, or other xeric friendly plants.   If you like that desert rain smell, consider a Creosote bush.  When rain drops touch the resin on the small leaves, the "smell" is released into the air and people everywhere go, "Hell yeah, I love desert rain!" One last item.  If you're a high school teacher, you're probably sick to death of hearing about "420".  "Hey Profe!!!  It's 420!"  Yeah...that's great child now go sit down.  "420" is code for pot, marijuana, Mary Jane, etc etc etc.  Every year it's the same thing and it DOES get old.  Don't they know that smoking is bad for your health...let alone your lungs!  Gross.  Thought I'd share. Well  I hope your "420" is great, and I'd stay away from the brownies...if anyone offers:) Now you know and knowing is half the battle:)  More tomorrow.....

Coexist

Sometimes it's never quite clear what theme will pop out of my photo journeys.  The more I go on hikes around national or state parks; the more I am resenting the idea of cages and zoos.  It's not that I don't believe there shouldn't be zoos.  It's just that I dislike the general public for being so irresponsible.  "Whoa whoa whoa!!!  Dislike is a negative word. Blogging is about happy thoughts."  Now now.  Don't judge me so quickly.  Zoos have their place and they sure do educate.  But this shot above is what inspired the photos that follow....Coexisting together in peace.  I think my sister in law may have raised her eyebrow at the title for my photo shoots:)

Do you ever watch the "others" while you're at the zoo?  You know....the squirrels, sparrows, grackles, etc that take advantage of the free treats humans leave behind, the watering holes created for the caged animals or the food left behind for other animals?  Take for example this squirrel eating the turtle food on the ground.   These animals do not have cages and yet have found a place to coexist among their  more famous residents.

Zoos educate kids and adults alike about the greater world....and that's a good thing.  Some of these animals were saved from a brutal death in their home environments.  It pains me to watch people carelessly walking by caged birds or animals to get that slushy....and then leave the cup behind for someone else to pick up.  Note to self, never go on the weekends....NEVER:)  Family came up and we had a nice time together, but I couldn't help watching the people who were present around us.  I am a pretty sensitive guy to wildlife and protecting lands.  But if it's any indication from the public, I would think that most would barely know how to survive out in the wild.  No cell phones(I still don't own one).  No mobile devices.  Meanwhile the animals live in their spaces.  I consider zoos similiar to retirement homes.  Not a pretty picture. 

But the familiar faces remind me that we have to start somewhere.  Here is my SIL with my cute little nephew.  And there are lots of educational opportunities that can be found by looking at an animal or plant.  When I see this picture, I see a flashback to my days in Peru or Guatemala where women carry their young in these cute wraps.  I think they are really cool looking actually.  But let's forget cute for the moment and look at the Mother/Child relationship.  One could not exist without the love of a parent and so both coexist.  One to carry on the memories and traditions of a family while the other learns about love and support from constant nurturing......especially in the beginning.  It has to start somewhere.

So why this Pink Flamingo found in Chile?  Well Flamingos are cool.  But note how they all coexist together as a unit. The new Elephant addition to the zoo is well done.  You will see how all the elephants stick together as a unit.  In so many ways, I am learning how to coexist in the greater world each day.  It is obvious that humans can do more damage than good and we must protect those things that are precious.  I watch the mother of the Great Horned Owl as she defends her clutch at my work site from possible bird or human attacks.  The father owl was attacked by a murder of crows the other day and possibly killed.  Nature is such a fragile thing. Balance is everything. Will the owlets survive this year?

The Grackle is the bird version of us.  Forget the elephants or the lions.....I focused my attention on this bird today.  I have a lot of great shots, but one will suffice. This bird is an omnivore and steals from others and it takes full advantage of the surroundings.  But the difference?  It doesn't cause long lasting damage to the planet like a human can:)

But I am reminded that we have to start somewhere.  I actually like kids when there is only one to watch:)  This is my niece and she was full of questions....and they were good ones. She also has a good eye for spotting things.  I need to bring her on my hikes:)  And she listened without the commotion of people around her.  All of us that read each other's blogs, already do this, but it's surprising how many people do not do this:)  We are distracted by the "noises" around us.  And I think that is what I realized after our visit to the zoo.  People are running around so much that they don't do what is important like take the time and "smell the roses"(which are smelling pretty good right now:)  A lot of the people at the zoo had a hard time walking short distances without panting or checking their cell phones every 5 seconds and that makes me sad.  Technology is a good thing, but we need to learn that there is another side to this life.  The majority of us are not coexisting in the greater world.

Final thoughts.  Like the commercials that are played on the Delilah program at night about visiting nature....you know the ones....:) "Hey Dad", says the son in a robotic voice and Dad replies, "Ooooh I think it's time to visit a state park." or like the movie theater commercial before the movie begins, "Please shut off your cell phones.  It. Can. Wait.", we need to remind others to do the same.  Most of us(we bloggers) already do this, but this year I began teaching my students about the greater world beyond culture and the Spanish language with my photos.  Everyday before I begin my lectures, I start off with a photo from my travels. And what I've learned from each of you is that we all have something very special to share whether it be in writing or through the acts of parenting, teaching.  Little by little.  Those are my rambling thoughts today. More mañana:)

To The Pointy End

Barrel Cactus with red spines.

Taking a break from birds(kind of:), I thought I'd take you to Picacho Peak.  Today's focus?  Pointy ends:)   We paid the 5 bucks to enter the park hoping to film some wildflower action but after a cold rain storm, we discovered that most of the flowers were fried from the frost.  Change of plan. 

Dead Cholla Cactus

So instead I focused my energy on the shots from around the landscape.  These pictures, I believe, capture the pointy and edgy landscape that can do some damage if you're not watching where you walk.

The trail here is not really a birder hike as it is a hiker's hike.  You'll have some great views from around the area....and it is all very beautiful. But some may find this a boring trek.  It's all in the eye of the beholder.  However, I have a good eye and did spot some life in the brown landscape.

Antelope Ground Squirrel

I recommend doing this hike during the cooler months as summer is too hot.  However still remember to bring water all times of the year.

It's amazing how much effort it took to take pictures:)  It was a challenge.  Find something interesting within the theme and force yourself to find those shots. My friend loved all of it and she was going to town with lots of pictures.  She was learning how to use her new camera and was practicing the auto and manual features of the camera.  I searched for angles and the right sunlight conditions to capture a "moment".

So while the Ocotillo didn't have leaves on the stems, they did begin to flower.  Hummers love these blossoms.  Look at how long the tubular flowers are and you'll understand why:)

I also found a manmade art piece along the trail and thought it was interesting.

As for the pic below.....I couldn't decide how to edit it.  I cropped the shot 3 times!

Brown Crested Flycatcher

So I pulled the camera back to give you an overall view from the peak.  It's really quite beautiful but wear a hat and protect your skin with sunblock.  Skin cancer is huge in Arizona because we have so much harsh lighting here.

My favorite shot is below.  It is a dead Saguaro cactus, but the colors remind me of some island art I've seen on my travels.

And as with all things, like this ground squirrel below, it was time to bounce and so we did.  It was a fun hike playing around with cameras, telling jokes, and finding shots along the trail.  I would classify this hike as moderate and give yourself 3-4 hours to do the trail.  More tomorrow.....