A First Sighting…

Corona de Tucson

May 31, 2026 

A Brown-crested Flycatcher
These noisy birds which are easy to hear, but tricky to see,  migrate here from Argentina for breeding.  It was the first bird I spotted on this adventure to Madera Canyon, but not a first sighing of this bird.

Madera Canyon Rd

We headed out early one morning on an birding adventure to Madera Canyon. No coffee, no breakfast, just us and Lucy and a couple bottles of water as we needed an early start.  Madera Canyon is a fun place to go for birding.  Late May to early September is the best time to see the much sought after “ tropical” specialities. The Elegant Trogon has been on the "I wish" list for a very long time and each year we visit the canyon and hope "today is the day". The best time of day to go is sunrise.  

It was closer to 7:00 am as we began the climb to the end of Madera Canyon Road.

The Mt. Wrightson Picnic area is at the end of Madera Road with lots of parking,  restrooms, and choices for  picnicing and hiking.  

In my research at All About Birds, I learned the Elegant Trogon was split into two species.  The trogon in southern Arizona is now referred to as the Coppery-tailed Trogon and the Elegant is restricted to populations from Guatemala to Costa Rica.   The Coppery-tailed come to Arizona from South America for breeding and are only found in four different areas...the Santa Rita Mountains (where Madera Canyon is), and the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Atascosa Mountians. These "tropical" birds with their iridescent color is one of the most sought after by birdwatchers in the U.S.

My first sighting of a Copper-tailed Trogon

Trogon is a Greek word meaning "gnawer" which refers to its insectivore diet and hooked bill. I find it interesting that the Trogon was first discovered in the Hauchuca Mts in 1885  and the first nest was discovered in Madera Canyon in 1939. 

The Coppery-tailed Trogon makes a puppy barking noise and is very easy to hear and follow.  I was so excited and I patiently waited and waited and waited for this male to turn around.  He was patiently waiting and waiting and waiting for breakfast and not the least bit interested in giving me the shot of a lifetime.  He just fly away...just like that! It was a first sighting! But now I am on a mission for a better photo!

The Mexican Jay never disappoints...

A beautiful Arizona Thistle...

Afterwards, we stopped by Le Rodeo Mexican for omelets on the patio.  We were starving!  We love being able to take Lucy places.  

Jamie and Andra visited for Memorial Weekend. We had a great time! On Saturday we headed into Tucson to check out the new Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World that just opened.  It is awesome...so "Southwesterny"!  It is the third store to open in Arizona with the other two in Glendale and Mesa.  

Entering this "retail superstore" is like walking into a museum of natural attractions, murals, dining and retail that goes way beyond traditional shopping. 

Lots of displays/murals depicting Arizona history and Tucson lined the walls and ceilings. This was my favorite.

The massive 1500-gallon aquarium features a variety of freshwater fish native to Arizona waters.  The company worked with the Arizona Game and Fish to fill the tank and the company employees a full-time aquarist to take care of the tank and fish.  

It takes a lot of stuff to fill a 100,000 square foot store. Everything the store stocks relates to the Southwest and Arizona.  It really is a fun place to visit.  

Lucy and Ozzie play so nice with each other.

Back at the oasis, all is good.  I have always thought it to be quite a challenge to capture a photo of a hummingbird.  And I am always happy to download pictures and find a keeper.

Baby Cardinals have black beaks.

I thought Goldfinch feasted mostly on seeds, but they have taken over the oranges...well, until the Gila shows up. 

Water is scare these days...what a treat to see the Cooper's Hawk visit the birdbath with some regularity.

And we are surprised to to still see life lessons being learned.

Most days begin with early morning walks with Lucy.

Agave...Century Plant

Ironwood tree

A Honey Bee

And speaking of honey, if you like honey this is the best local honey I have ever had.  I ordered it from Arizona Local Raw Honey located in Chandler.  

I'll close with some favorite photos from our little oasis.

 

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS

and, SWEET DREAMS!

It's May...

Corona de Tucson

May 14, 2026

backyard Petunias

Yes it is May and not only that, May is half over.  I still can't figure out where the times goes.  It is more of the same here and not much to say.  We had our annual bloodwork done and a visit to see our General Practitioner.  He says we are healthy. YIPPEE!  

We did meet Jamie and Andra for an early dinner on Saturday before Mother's Day.  

We tried a new to us Italian cafe in downtown Tucson.  It was featured in an old issue of Arizona Highways. CERES Italian Cafe opened in 2019 as Tucson's first fresh pasta cafe.  Owner and chef, Carolyn O'Conner, who is from New York where fresh pasta is a "way of life",  missed the small cafes that sold fresh noodles to pick up and take home to cook.  Today her sunny little cafe is nestled in an alley in one of my favorite places to visit in Tucson...the Historic Presidio District. It is open from 5:00 - 9:00 pm for take home or to enjoy under one of the picnic umbrellas that line the alley. Carolyn's love for fresh pasta began in Syracuse, but her skills in making pasta began in Tucson when a friend from Parma in Northern Italy shared his skill with her.  "The egg noodles are special because...they are just a little more decadent", she said. "They are made with imported Italian flour called tipo 00, and the 00 just means that it is milled super fine.  It creates this silky noodle that has chewiness, but is smooth and silky. Those are the most unique for people who have never had fresh pasta before."  The name Ceres comes form the Roman goddess of wheat and agriculture. 

By design, the menu is small and simple.  If the rotating "Today's Special" isn't your choice, you begin your order by choosing from several different fresh pastas.  I chose the thin egg noodle.  Then comes the sauce. There are three choices...1.tomato basil with San Marzano tomatoes, Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses plus black pepper and butter, or...2. pesto with fresh basil and roasted pine nuts, or...3. Bolognese which starts with carrots, pancetta (cured pork), ground beef, onions, red wine and stock that is slow-cooked all day. I chose Bolognese.  Pasta bundles and sauces are sold if you want to prepare them at home. 

What it lacks in what I would call "fancy", it sure makes up for in yummy!  And yep, I ate every morsel.  

On weekends, Ceres offers espresso, made in house gelato and sorbetto soft serve, and rotating pastries and baked goods.  Dessert is a must have!  Andra and I chose a fresh banana sorbetto and chocolate gelato swirl with all the toppings...home made brownie bits, chocolate syrup and fresh coconut flakes.  Truly delicious and just writing this makes my mouth water!  

 There is a new mural being painted in the alley.  I can't wait to return!

Back at the oasis, I started a "photos" project. It is something Joe and I have wanted to do for awhile, but it kept getting pushed to the back burner.  I only have a kazillion photos and that doesn't count the photos taken since we moved into our sticks and stucco five years ago.  Sorting through photos of favorite places taken over a nine year period of time is a challenge, but finally I can say I have made a good start.  Our third bedroom is our hobby room and the wall over the loveseat was empty.   

Left to right : San Diego, CA; Crested Butte, CO; Sedona, AZ; Port Angeles, WA;
and Grand Teton NP, WY

I haven't finished, but we are pleased so far.  It was not so easy measuring and hanging these photos and Joe did a great job.  Five pairs with each displaying a landscape (horizontal frame) and close up (vertical frame) photo of a place we love.  The Crested Butte pair is a field of green with a background of Halsey Basin in the Elk Mountains and the white wildflowers were at the summit of Mt. Crested Butte...both hikes I remember as if they were taken yesterday.  Now it's nice to walk by the room and see something pretty and memorable.

Last week, the weather made a dramatic change from the highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 50s  the first week of May to HOT!  It's that time of year when we don't know if spring is gone for good, but next week looks promising that it might be hanging around a little longer. 

Long shadows on the path at the neighborhood park  

Nice shade and much cooler on the golf cart path 

Back at the oasis, the Orioles have arrived. 

We found Gamble's Quail eggs when we were cleaning up on the side of the house last week. There were 12 eggs and I'm sad to say they are still there.

I repotted my 10 year old jade plant.  

The torch cacti bloomed again.

One of the local inhabitants came to visit...a Desert Spiny Lizard.

The male Spiny Lizard has the black wedge mark on the side of his neck and blue markings on his throat.  He can reach up to 13 inches long.

They mostly feast on insects, but will eat fruit and other vegetation.

Spiny Lizards are closely related to Horned Lizards. They live in arid environments across the southwestern U.S. and are not poisonous to humans and pets.

We see a lot of immature birds this time of year... 

A young Curved-bill Thrasher

Lots of noisy young Cactus Wrens

A young Gamble's Quail

We are happy the young Gilded Flickers still visit.

along with all the birds that come to the feeders and water.

Ladder-back Woodpecker

Cooper's Hawk

He fills up the bird bath.

Lucy's bubbly outlook brings us so much fun. 

A sunset wraps up the first half of May.

 Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!