Saturday, May 20, 2023

It's Always Nice...

Corona de Tucson

May 20, 2023

It's always nice to come home.  It doesn't matter if it's a trip across town or miles away.  It doesn't matter if it's a few hours, days, weeks or months...home is nice.  Saturday was spent packing up the bus in Cave Creek, traveling, settling in at home, and doing laundry.  A big part of settling in at home is feeding the birds and filling the birdbath.  Everything else can wait ! We weren't the only ones glad we were home... 






The new little Desert Willow trees (that we purchased for $15.00 each from Tucson Electric) bloomed while we were gone.


It's a tiny little tree with lots of promise.  Joe says we need to move it and get a big one to enjoy now.  



I am so happy...more and more birds are perching in the Bottlebrush tree.  


And some birds use it for hiding and camouflage...




Monday, we were up early and headed to Tucson for Joe's dermatology visit.  We are waiting on three biopsies...fingers crossed.  Tuesday we were up early and headed to Green Valley for Jack's vet appointment.  He is such a big boy sometimes...riding in the backseat all by himself.

He was a bit anxious waiting his turn to see Dr. Huang.  It's interesting that each of the pups has their own personality.  But the one thing they all have in common is that when they feel nervous/anxious...they want their daddy ! 

Jack's heart stress numbers have increased significantly since last taken April 12. He began heart medicine a month ago so these results are not what we were hoping for.  He is due for a CAT on the 27th to figure out what is next.  

This is such a wonderful time of year to enjoy the patio...we have been sitting a lot !  The weather is so nice in the morning and late afternoon.  And this is the time of year we begin to see baby birds.  One morning we watched a dad Gila teach his young son how to eat oranges. Dad would sit on the fence with a mouth full of orange...while the young son sat on the block column.




After a  lot of luring and patience by the dad...both flying away and returning many times...the young Gila enjoyed his first taste of orange. 


And by the end of the day, the young Gila was on the feeder.


Suet was on the menu for the young Gila the next morning and the lessons began again.

The House Finches have also been busy teaching life lessons as well...


 

I happen to look up at just the right time to see a visitor we don't have very often.  Vermillion Flycatchers eat insects...mostly bees...so they don't come to the feeders.  We were happy to see him perch and take a quick look around before flying away.


He is a small bird measuring between 5 - 5.5 inches from head to tip of tail.  

We have enjoyed our morning walks this week.  We did two walks at sunrise...yep, my favorite time of day !  The early morning glow always adds an extra bounce to my step.






On Tuesday's walk as we rounded the corner to head home, we saw a mama javelin with her three little ones.  They weren't all together for a group shot, but I did manage a not so good photo of one of them with my phone.  


Thursday morning we were out with coffee in hand before the sun came up.



We enjoyed clouds all day and finally late afternoon it started to rain and it rained all night...it was wonderful !



I love the feel and the smell of fresh air in the morning when we have had a good rain during the night. 


This morning I was looking out the kitchen window.  I was surprised to see a stray dog walking down the sidewalk.  It stopped and looked around, made a right turn and headed towards the access to the cart path.  I was just about to call Joe when I realized it wasn't a stray dog, it was a coyote.  He turned right on the cart path...by that time I had camera in hand and was on the patio...we made eye contact before he wandered on and took one last glance my way.




Sally is still her sassy sally self wandering about the house and yard with a purpose only she knows.  


Dover enjoys the morning time as much as we do and her early walks perusing the yard looking for whatever.


And it never fails, Jack claims my rocker while I put out bird food and water flowers.


And when I am in the kitchen, these two are in the kitchen.  After all, I might just accidentally on purpose drop a morsel or two.


 
Home is nice and life is good at the oasis !


Until next time,







12 comments:

  1. The flycatcher was a nice sight! How fun to watch the baby birds learn to feed at the feeder. I don't think we have ever seen a javelina in the wild. I bet you were both surprised when you rounded that corner!

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    1. Hi guys…we often see the Flycatcher on our morning walks. He is easy to spot in the trees and bushes. It’s only the second time he has perched on our fence. It was my lucky day to have the camera close both times. The javalina are interesting looking animals and mama can get very fiesta if she feels her little ones are threatened so we know to give them there space. Hoping for lots more baby birds in the coming weeks!

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  2. Oh Gay--your posts always bring a smile to my face. And yes, home is so good! I love the cardinal photo--looking through the fence. Your sunrise glow photos are beautiful. How cool to have a vermillion flycatcher visit--I've only seen one of those and it was at Whitewater Draw. Fingers crossed for Joe's biopsies!

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    1. Awe thank you Janna. We LOVE home! That mama Cardinal has been fun to watch this week…hope to see some baby cardinals soon. We are hoping for a good report on the biopsies, but won’t be surprised if Joe has to have surgery. Two of the sites are on his right leg (shin) and the other on his driver arm.

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  3. Gay, your posts are so peaceful and sweet. I can see how much you love your home and family. I love the bird's bathing, they seem so unaware of anyone watching. We're wishing for good results for Joe and for dear little Jack. One day at a time.....

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    1. Hi Sue and thank you. We need all the good wishes we can get…especially for Jack. I agree about the birdbath. It’s so fun to watch the birds splash around. As Jim would say, “it’s the point and pray” method of photography…many blurry photos get deleted to just have one or two good ones.

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  4. Your title is perfect "It's Always Nice", and it is! It's also always nice start to the day when your blog turns up.
    What a hoot watching the littles be shown hoot learn to fend for themselves.
    Best wishes for good results from the doc visits

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    1. Thank you Jeff. I never think I have anything to write about, but somehow the photos all come together and in the end it’s “happy trails”. I could never just write words and make any sense at all! It’s my favorite time of year to sit on the patio…I love the babies! We need those best wishes…especially little Jack…thank you!

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  5. Your little backyard bird world is delightful! The babies always make me laugh with their demanding calls for mom to feed them - no wonder she's anxious for them to feed themselves! The new tree is a lovely addition with all those blooms. Tessa has been making sure I see more of the early mornings these days, and yes it is a wonderful time of day :-)

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    1. Hi Jodee and thank you! Jack is the alarm clock around our house. We get up early…we go to bed early. It is definitely a simple life for us these days.

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  6. Yes, coming home is now something I look forward to every time we hit the road. It took me over two years to completely settle and look forward to our new home. Now it is my favorite spot. We've developed a wonderful routine (as you have) with pickleball and bike riding with the heat. Pickleball happens before 8:00 now with the warmer temps. Bike riding takes place at any time depending on the wind. It's nice knowing the cooling plunge is waiting when we return. We just love our "resort" as we refer to it. Your do such an awesome job with your bird photos, Gay. You capture the best moments. Those baby birds learning the tricks are so wonderful. We've got our fingers crossed for Joe and sending lots of positive vibes for Jack (my favorite but don't tell the others).

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    1. Good morning Pam…thank you. All the bird shots are mostly luck…being in the right place at the right time and getting a focus. Unfortunately, Joes knees will not take Pickle ball and I can’t watch where I am going and am always wanting to stop for pictures when I’m bike riding so we just walk and lift a few light weights. It’s nice to feel that way about home after all those miles (which I would not trade anything for the adventures) on the road. I whispered your message in Jacks ear…thank you!

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