It's Spring !

Corona de Tucson

March 24, 2024

Sunny, warm and happy are words that come to mind this time of year.  It is the perfect time to be outside and enjoying the desert that surrounds us.  Finding wildflowers and water in the desert is fun and Sabino Canyon is one of our go to spots every spring to enjoy both. 

 

The wide open vistas, birds, beautiful sky and trails are a big draw too.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Canyon Towhee

Phainopepla...enjoying a mosquito hawk for breakfast

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We also ventured over to Saguaro NP-East to walk the Cactus Forest Trail this week.  I have not counted the many times we have enjoyed this trail with its ups and downs, twists and turns, the cacti forest, and the always present Rincon Mountains in the background.  I just know we never tire of the beauty.  It's close to home AND stopping at the DQ afterwards is pretty darn close to perfection !   

The wildflowers were few and far between on this trail.  The Ocotillo are blooming... 

 in a few sections we enjoyed the brittlebush...

Lots of buds...and it should be very pretty in a week or so.

patches of desert zinnias nestled under the prickly pear...

creosote bushes...

 and lots of larger patches of these tiny little yellow flowers I can't name.

The cacti here are plentiful and showy...

Back at the oasis, the Yellow-rumped Warbler has stopped by for several quick visits.   

These tiny little featherd friends mostly eat insects in the summer, but winters will often find them eating wild berries and seeds and visiting feeders for sunflower seeds, peanut butter, raisins and suet...all of which we have.  He does not sit still long and is hard to photograph.  

For the past couple of weeks, we have enjoyed the Gamble's Quail meandering under the shrubs and thru the tall grasses on the other side of our fence.  

This week, they decided to visit...I counted at least 12 at one time Friday morning. 

The torch cactus is blooming...with lots more buds popping out.

Sally is usually half in and half out...

or keeping a watchful eye for anyone headed to the kitchen.

The skies are incredible...

And far away in South Carolina, Felix and Edith took their mom and dad to the farm.  One of many fun days they enjoyed during spring break.

And I love this picture of Edith.  Jena sends pictures just about everyday...thank you Jena !

In case I don't get a post in before next Sunday...Happy Easter. 

And as always, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Creosote Loop, Bluff Trail, and Wrapping Up a Project

Corona de Tucson

December 6, 2021

The other day, Joe and I had morning errands...Home Depot for paint, Bed, Bath and Beyond for a rolling pin, and PetSmart for doggie treats...all on the west side of town.  It's familiar stomping grounds as the shopping is "just down the street" from Tucson/Lazydays KOA.  It was another gorgeous day so we decided to do a short trail first.  

The Robles Pass trails park, located in the southernmost part of the Tucson Mountains, has parking on Irvington Road (as well as Ajo Way). 

And it's only a few miles beyond Home Depot...perfect !  Our choice of trails for a quick desert walk was Creosote Loop. 

One would think this desert experience was miles away from traffic noise and homes, but it is actually 1,000 acres of desert beauty and quiet in suburban Tucson.  Never in my life, until now, did I dream that I could do a desert hike, run errands, and have Sonoran Dogs (yep, BKs is located just off W. Irvington on 12th St) all on the same day and be home before 1:00 pm.  

Joe and I both commented on how many young saguaros we saw along the trail.  Of course young in saguaro life is my age...by the time they are 70 years old, they can reach 6.5 feet tall.  The saguaros in the pic below were not yet 5' tall.  By the time a saguaro cactus is 200 years old it has reached its full height at 45' tall.   

The tallest saguaro in this pic was about 4' tall.  "The children's choir"

 

  

   

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has long been a favorite hiking place for us.  Another day this week we hiked the Bluff Trail.  There is something relaxing about hiking a familiar trail. We stopped to watch a hawk soaring high above... 

 ...a Black-throated Sparrow waiting patiently for insects... 

 ...and a Greater Roadrunner definitely on a mission.  That's the most birds we have seen on trail in awhile. 

The scenery on Bluff Trail changes with the seasons...

...the trail has it's ups and downs... 

...and the views are spectacular !

"The adult choir"

And did you know that each saguaro arm can  hold up to 40 gallons of water? That is 328 pounds each and why they mostly curve upward. 

And how does this delicate blossom less than an inch long survive?

And how do prickly pear make hanging on for dear life on the side of a cliff wall look so easy?

Our week at home was spent finishing up on a project we started weeks ago.  Between storage and traveling some 1,700 miles across country, some of our art pieces needed help.  

In some frames, these pins that hold the art in place had come out and were between the matte and the glass 

and in some pieces, we just wanted to change the matte all together.  It is not a job to rush and I am very happy it is mostly all done.  We found this small piece at the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington, NC. The artist, Jo Ko, lived at one of our favorite places...the Outer Banks. The picture depicts the bay and dock that was across the street from the RV park where we spent three glorious weeks.  It now has a new matte and a place in our home.  

Belle has two brand new rear jacks...yippee !   

Thank you Kenneth and Rachel !

And I made Rice Krispies Cheese Crisps. My mom always made them this time of year and I do think they are my absolute favorite.  Joe likes them too !  Of course no Christmas cooking happens in this home unless I am singing and swinging to Christmas favorites...mostly traditional songs.  I do love Christmas music ! 

   

That about wraps up the first week in December at our little oasis.  Our days are merry and bright.

The weather continues to be amazing with slightly above normal temps.  We're not complaining and neither is Jack. 

 

The skies never disappoint.

 So until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !