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!

Cactus Forest Trail and a Day Date

Corona de Tucson

September 8, 2023

We welcomed September 1st under a flash flood watch.  It was a wonderful rainy day although the flash floods never happened...at least not at our little oasis.    

Sometimes, the best part of a rainy day is the day after.  Saturday dawned with cool temperatures, gorgeous blue skies and that wonderful earthy scent in the air...a perfect combination for a morning walk in the desert.  

Cactus Forest Trail in Saguaro NP-East is a longtime favorite...

  

Thursday was a day date.  We wanted to try a new restaurant, but first made a stop at Gather for the fall opening event.  Fall isn't exactly "in the air" just yet as summer's heat is still lingering, but it won't be long.  Fall colors have always been my favorite colors and what's not to love about cool nights and warm days? 

 

The lunch choice for our day date was a new to us restaurant we wanted to try.  Ghini's French Caffe and Bakery has been voted (by locals) as "Best of Tucson" for the number one place to eat breakfast for six years in a row.  It was a hard choice deciding what we wanted to eat...a variety of crepes, croques or French toast.  We both decided on the Croque Madame with creamy béchamel and Gruyere topped with an over easy fried egg.  We splurged and shared a rather large strawberry shortbread dessert covered in a mound of whip cream and lightly sprinkled with cocoa. 

Back at the oasis, 

it's nice to see wildflowers and green along the path on our morning walks.  

We had a couple of Harris' Hawks flying overhead this week.  They have never perched on our fence, but they did take a "look-out post" in the pine tree next door.  They flew in as a pair and left together.  It is pretty awesome to see them in flight with a wingspan of 3.5 to 4.8 feet.

  

The hummingbird feeder has been especially busy.  I really like the small feeder for these hot days.  At the end of the day, the feeder is empty and no nectar (which I make) is wasted.  These busy little birds are the first to show up every morning...hovering and waiting for me to get busy !

The thistle feeder...

and the suet feeder stay busy as well.  

Two of my favorites!

Sally and I are usually the first out every morning.  Sally makes sure all is right with her world...

while I fill the thistle and suet feeders and fresh water in the birdbath.

It doesn't take long for the Lesser Goldfinch to realize their feeder is full. 

We love these no-mess large cylinder seed blocks.  They weigh just over 4 pounds and last 10-14 days.  

Sally...

Jack...

That's a wrap on our week...

HAPPY TRAILS!