Corona de Tucson
July 8, 2022
Early morning walks just seem to get the day started around our house and have become a part of our daily routine. We have several choices for routes thru the neighborhood/cart path for a 2.5 - 3 mile loop.
One thing about Joe and I, if we don't get up and go...the get up and go usually fades away. It's not uncommon to see hawks enjoying their breakfast, coyotes (sometimes 2-3 at a time) on the move, and bunnies out for a morning hop. My favorite is the early morning glow.
And thank goodness, we have received enough rain to turn the ocotillos green...it doesn't take much water for the leaves to burst out.
Speaking of rain, we have only had a few showers this month. Some of those showers have been windy, heavy downpours that flooded our street. Some of those showers have been nice, long steady rains...the kind of shower we can enjoy sitting on the patio.
It is still early in the monsoon season, and I remain hopeful.
The backyard has definitely seen a drop in birds. The babies are all gone. The butter bites still go quickly, but the oranges last through the day. The regulars...Cactus Wrens, Cardinals, Gila Woodpeckers, Curved-bill Thrashers, Sparrows, and Finches still keep us busy.
Occasionally, the Orioles make a stop.
And this week we have enjoyed a new visitor at the feeders.
It's real name is Pyrrhuloxia, but that is a mouth full to say so I just call it a Desert Cardinal. All About Birds describes them as "closely related to the Northern Cardinal". They are a "crisp grey and red with a longer elegant crest and stubby yellow bill". Out little visitor is a juvenile...hence, less red highlights and a darker bill. The crest caught my eye first.
Fourth of July was quiet. Baked beans and burgers...sort of a tradition for us...were on the menu. I made the best baked beans ever. The old family recipe calls for molasses and brown sugar among other things and they are slow cooked...about 2 1/2 to 3 hours in the oven resulting in a yummy glaze on top. Truly a meal all by themselves. We watched The Patriot on TV. Thank goodness for pause as I found myself running out to see the fireworks about half way thru. Someone in the neighborhood put on a colorful display, but my favorites were the ones from town way off in the distance.
Last weeks post was all about family. I had a few pictures I wanted to share, but didn't. Beautiful shades of green from Madera Canyon...
