Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
December 23, 2016
There is alot of history in Sabino Canyon. Flat grindstones, stone points, and other tools found in the Sabino Canyon date back to the Cochise culture which hunted small game and food about 8000 years ago. But even before them, the Clovis culture visited the area some 13500 years ago to hunt large game.
Its no wonder visitors since, including the Hohokam people, made this oasis their home. The peak of their culture occurred around 1100 AD. The Hohokam were farmers and built villages along the rivers. There is evidence of early dams to store water and collect soil as well as farming tools left behind from them.
Jump forward to the 1930s when plans were made to build a dam to provide a lake for swimming and boating. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) along with ERA crews built bridges, campgrounds, picnic tables, outhouses, and retaining walls which are still used. Today the dam is a popular attraction although the lake has long since been filled in with silt and plant life.
Our second hike in Sabino Canyon on 12/22 took us close enough to the dam to take a picture from an overlook. Not much water flowing over the dam that day.
Our third hike (12/23) was on the Sabino Lake Trail, Creek Trail, and Sabino Dam Trail. A nice easy loop ! What a difference a day of heavy rains made.
We had planned to connect to the Phoneline Trail, but Sabino Creek stopped us. We weren't prepared to get wet.
This is the section of creek after the dam. We have never seen it this high...it was even flowing over the bridge !
Looking left...
...straight ahead...
...and to the right.
It couldn't have been a prettier day. The birds were singing...umm...some were fussing !
We could hear the distinct loud sound of this Cactus Wren. It's the largest wren in North America.
Cloudy gray skies quickly gave way to clear blue skies.
The cacti were showy with fruit.
And the best part, I was with my honey !
We will be busy our last week here. I have a hair cut, Joe gets stitches out, Sally gets a hair cut and a bath, and we hope to get in another hike.
Until next time,
HAPPY TRAILS !
Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 21, 2015
Each time Joe and I have visited Tucson, we have tried to visit the Desert Museum. A parking lot full of school and tour buses each time have been an excuse to not stop. We got lucky last Saturday as there were lots of empty spaces! As mentioned in my last post, Mary Ellen and Jim stopped by Lazydays for a 3 night stop over on their way to San Diego. I was thrilled that we finally made it to the museum and even more excited to share it with friends.
On the "About Us" page in the museum's pamphlet, they proudly boast it is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the top 10 Museums in the country. What I really liked is that about 85% of the museum is outdoors! It is nestled in the desert on 98 acres that include walking paths through various habitats and gardens.
Today's post is all about the birds I enjoyed...
The State Bird of Arizona...
The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America. It is a true bird of the desert and can survive without free standing water.
They eat mostly spiders and insects, and will occasionally enjoy fruit and scraps at picnic tables.
White-crowned Sparrows are very common in the Sonora Desert during October - March. They mostly eat seeds from grasses.
A Gila Woodpecker...what a beautiful wing design...
Their most common nest hole in the desert is the Saguaro. After the hole is made, the cactus forms a tough callous making the hole durable and dry. Years after the Saguaro dies, the hole remains and are known as "Saguaro Boots" because the resemble the footware.
This is a Phainopepla...a crested songbird of the desert. These are the most northerly representative of the Central American silky flycatcher.
 |
| male... |
 |
| female |
Mary Ellen loves birds as much as I do...we had a fun time "oohing" and "aahing". Our cameras got a good workout!
 |
| A Costa's Hummingbird |
The Hummingbird Aviary was a highlight of my day. I have wanted to see a hummingbird nest for quite a long time and even though these were not in "the wild", it was still a thrill.
A flip book is available to identify the variety of hummingbirds in the desert...
This Steller's Jay sure caught my eye...
Hope you are having a great week-end. Until next time, take care, and...
happy trails!
Our second hike in Sabino Canyon on 12/22 took us close enough to the dam to take a picture from an overlook. Not much water flowing over the dam that day.
It couldn't have been a prettier day. The birds were singing...umm...some were fussing ! 
And the best part, I was with my honey !
