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!

The Week After...

Corona de Tucson

November 30, 2022 

The week after Thanksgiving is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  There are lots of leftovers so meals are easy, fall is definitely in the air, but the best part about that week is that December is just around the corner. Last year we started a new tradition and put up our tree on Thanksgiving day.  It is the same tree,  the same lights, the same decorations (plus a new one) and the same (if not more) excitement felt again this year.  

As much as I loved the traveling years, it sure is nice to be in a sticks and stucco home at Christmas!  Just like last year, we added a new "westerny" ornament for the tree.  At the TMA Fall Artisan Market, we found this hand-made pottery ornament that reminded us of the cliff dwellings we visited earlier in the fall.  The potter who made these very unique ornaments is Susan Sarracino...Pueblo of Acoma Pottery...from New Mexico.  There is a hole in the bottom of the ornament for a light to be placed inside giving the dwellings a fire like glow. 

Acoma Pueblo is built on top of a near 400 ft mesa about 70 miles west of Albuquerque.  The Pueblo has been continually inhabited since sometime between 1150 and 1250 AD making it the oldest inhabited "city" in the United States.  Acoma is translated "people of the white rock".  The Pueblo covers some 70 acres and today the people of the Pueblo carry on the traditions of pottery making created by their ancestors.   

    

The week-end was spent adding Christmas here and there and everywhere... changing this and rearranging that...all the while enjoying the sounds of Christmas we only enjoy one month out of the year.  

This morning, we had to go to Home Depot on the south side of Tucson.  It is always a treat to hit the trails in the Tucson Mountains when we are on that side of town.  Our choice for the day was a combo of Cascabel and Bittersweet Trails for an enjoyable hike before shopping.  The weather was perfect !  

Cascabel has a nice stand of saguaros.  Some are pretty old and are looking rather tired.

But what is really great about this area are all the young saguaros.  They are everywhere.   

Cascabel has decent views...

as the trail twists and curves...

and makes its way up to Bittersweet Trail.

No editing on these photos...the sky really was that blue!

The section of Bittersweet Trail we hiked is more level, lined with Palo Verde trees, prickly pear cacti, spiky staghorn cacti, and beautiful rocks.

Such tiny leaves...

Back at the oasis, sunrise and coffee start the day.

   

   

And some evenings, vivid sunsets end the day.

Somehow, Jack manages to drag my sweater (one of those heavy sweaters that is knee length) from the foot of the bed to the head of the bed and wad it up for a nap.  He has always loved to lay on my clothes.  

Sally and Dover are forever hopeful (and patient) keeping me company in the kitchen.

Refrigerator art you get in the mail from your 2 year old granddaughter is the best.

And the snowman is still smiling (and puts a smile on my face too) !

Until next time, have a great week and...

HAPPY TRAILS !