High Humidity

Blue Mud Dauber.  Look carefully and you'll see that this wasp has captured dinner:)  It ran quickly into its nest under the trunk of a tree.  Very cool find!

Antsy.  Sick of getting stuck inside my home.  I escaped to Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains where it rained.  Bear had been busy knocking down hummingbird feeders.  I searched for bear and hummingbirds and didn't find any of them.  Well hummingbirds I did:)  But I did discover so much more.....

A Queen Butterfly on a dead branch

Miller Canyon was severely burned by last years fires and isn't as green as the other canyons of the Huachuca Mountains, BUT there is plenty of growth coming back.  Many of the Mesquite trees that were burned have new growth near their trunks.   But again, I was thrilled to find a lot of insect life. These little critters grabbed my attention on our walk.

In the gray and very humid atmosphere, we could see shots of color.   Remember that plants with long tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds....especially ones with orange and red color.:) Perhaps this is why Miller Canyon is renown for all the hummingbird sightings. 

The Firecracker Bush

To get here, we went up a well graded dirt road and stopped along the way looking for hiding birds or coati:)  Eventually the road ends at Beatty's Guest Ranch. We parked there at the trailhead.  But a great place to spot one of a kind hummers is at this ranch.  They don't mind if you want to look for hummingbirds BUT you need to call ahead and DO NOT trespass without their permission.  Go to their website first and read:)  We didn't go here on this day because there was a lot to see around the canyon area.  We parked near their property and took the trail to hike up the mountain.  

Black Chinned Hummingbird

There was a lot that was burned but look at the base of the trees to find the bright new green growth.

During rain storm events, I find it better to hike and relax than trying to endure 100+ temps.  Ridiculous!   I am hoping we continue with the rain because it always means I get to go out and explore.

Yarrow's Spiny Lizard

But of course the humidity and heat, bring out all the colorful bugs and lizards in Southern Arizona. 

Willow Flycatcher

We also stopped back by Ramsey Canyon on the way home to do some more hummingbird/bear search but no luck.  It was a gorgeous evening here.

And of course the views aren't bad either:)

As the sun set, we walked the trails alone surrounded by butterflies, deer and lots of birds.

Best time to go hiking is after a gentle rain event.  Always keep an eye open at the washes.  NEVER cross them during a rainstorm.  If there is a lot of lightening, do not hike.  But when things have calmed down, it's really a great time to get out and enjoy the rain cooled air. And the answer to my favorite bird home.  Option 13.  The Muy Mexicano or blue and white tile home.  Thanks everyone for chirping in your comments.  That was fun:) More tomorrow....

Tucson Housing Market

Here's something different and a first for this blog.  I thought this would be a fun little game to play:) You have to use your imagination.  Pics are supplied and just your opinion is needed:) A wizard captured you and turned you into a bird. You are forced to choose a home. Which one would it be? Remember that the option description goes with the pic above it.

Option 1.  It's sci fi and something I'd imagine in Sweden, Finland, or Holland.  I don't know why I think this but I just do:)

Option 2.  A homemade gourd.  Very hobbit like.

Option 3.  You moved to England:)  Maybe Harry Potter lives here.

Option 4.  This house doesn't hang and is wheelchair accessible:)

Option 5.  It screams, "Heeeeey!!"

Option 6.  The Starbucks of birdhomes.

Option 7.  You're an animal!!!  Well no you're not......because you're a BIRD!!! Get used to it:)

Option 8.  I think they smoke something here.

Option 9.  "OMG!  Becky, would you look at that bird's butt!  It's like....so big!"

Option 10.  I sense there is beer drinking, some smoking with a table of friends...and a card game going on:)

Option 11.  African love!

Option 12.  Hoarders anonymous.

Option 13.  Muy mexicano.

Option 14.   Say your prayers every night.

Option 15.  Very Tucsonan.

Option 16.  A gardener lives here.  Maybe a Gardener on Sherlock Street or A Garden Wench:)

Just one of many birdhouses at the Tucson Botanical Gardens

So what's your verdict?  I'll share mine at the end of the day.  Do you love bird houses? If you're in Tucson, check out the Tucson Botanical Gardens birdhouse display!  Very cool homes all over the place AND there's many more I haven't shown you.  But until that time, what's your pick?:) Oh and since you were forced to be a bird, what bird would you be?:)

Hanging Out In The Shade

Curve billed Thrasher

Before monsoon began, I seriously had to force myself out in the wild and attempt the impossible.  Birding during the midafternoon heat.  When I say that it was dead and not a single lizard, bird or insect was out, I mean it!  I had thought about going home in the 106 degree weather since the butterflies weren't out and about like I had thought they would be.  So I went into the shade for relief....and listened.

Female Anna's Hummingbird

No one was around and I was the only guy in the gardens which was actually quite nice.  What I discovered was that the world was indeed very active but only in the shade.  It wasn't obvious at first but after sitting and listening to my surroundings, I was able to locate a lot of critters.

 These colorful bugs are the immature, wingless nymphs of the Giant Mesquite Bug or Leaf-footed Bug (Thasus neocalifornicus).

While looking at some art, I discovered some "natural" work(above pic).  I thought it was fake at first until I took a closer look.  We have some cool bugs in this desert...especially during the monsoon season.

And birds aren't dummies.  This Cardinal was hiding in the reeds.  Unfortuneatly his red gave away his location.  His girlfriend was also there but didn't stick out like this guy.

Even this Anna's Hummingbird played it safe as she flew and hovered around flowers in the shade.

Queen Butterfly

I did find this Queen butterfly on the Texas Mist.  I was hoping for more shots, but this is okay.

And water from the fountain was quite popular with the birds.

Stay cool!

 More tomorrow....

Alien Bugs

Black Witch Moth(This one is for you Ragged Robin:)

Here's a collection of interesting bugs I've found around Southern Arizona. The above was a great find.  This moth is found mostly in Mexico but it does make it's way up into Southern Arizona and what a find!!!  The name alone is fun:) It is considered a harbinger of death in Mexican and Caribbean folklore.  Glad I didn't touch it:)

And while the monsoon brings on the rain, you'll see many many beetles flying around our parts.  Some I like.  Some I don't.

Blue Mud Dauber Wasp

But this Blue Mud Dauber is something.  Here's why you don't squash this one.  The blue mud dauber is a metallic blue species of mud dauber wasp that preys primarily on black widow spiders. It does not build a nest, but uses nests abandoned by other mud dauber wasps. Like other mud daubers, it is rarely aggressive. Blue mud dauber wasps are generally considered beneficial, because they help to regulate the population of black widow spiders.

Giant Mesquite Bug

When I first met this bug, I thought, "Is that real?"  And yes.  Yes it is. They are harmless and don't bite.  And you can hold them in your hand.

Palo Verde Beetle

And this one.  This is the grand daddy of them all.  I'll tell you a short story for this GIANT bug.  This one looks like a cockroach, but it's not.  Here's one for the books.  I first discovered this alien bug while moving here in '96.  It was during monsoon and the thing flew into our apartment window.  I had thought it was a bird at first.  I opened the door and it got into our place.  I began to scream because I had never seen a beetle that big.  I would NOT put this guy in your hand at all.  They don't bite, but they do click and could pinch your skin.  But that's not my story:)  One of my friends came to visit from the Midwest during the summer.  They drove with their windows down probably listening to the Macarena.  It was evening time when these bugs like to come out and of course one flew into my friend's car.  Let's just say that a car crash almost happened from all the screaming and swirving on the road from this Giant Bug.  It was on Speedway and the monsoon storms were getting started:)  Thankfully no one was hurt and a hilarious memory still surfaces today in conversations:)  "Do you remember that time when that alien bug entered your car?" Evil laughs follow. And you should have heard her describe this beast.  It was the funniest thing ever. If you have friends in Arizona, ask them about the Palo Verde beetle and see what their reactions are:)  I've come across so many people with great stories of their first encounter because it's rather traumatic:) 

Figeater Beetle

Horse Lubber Grasshopper

This actor played Johnny Rico from the movie Starship Troopers which was a violent movie about humans fighting alien bugs. One of his lines was, "I'm from Buenos Aires, and I say kill 'em all!" His very American accent wasn't quite convincing to play someone from Argentina so I'm not sure his words should be taken seriously:) Everything has a purpose. More tomorrow.....

Cicada-when they emerge from their exoskeleton, you'd swear there was an alien in the garden somewhere

 Carpenter Bees(above).  They seem scary, but they're not:)

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:)