Changing of the Guard...

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 12, 2015

After coffee and our favorite juice blend we were off early to get Pearl's tires rotated. Something we needed to do before another trail run. Afterwards, I wanted to take my camera to Greg's Cameras Shop (We have been going there for as long as we have been coming to Tucson.) for a going over. Little did I know that my soul mate and number one admirer had a lens picked out he thought I might want. Today is my birthday and what a very thoughtful surprise I had. In addition to having my camera gone over and receiving a very nice gift, we learned of a nesting spot for Great Blue Herons right here in Tucson, Arizona. If you are here in Tucson and need a camera shop, Greg's (6336 N. Oracle Rd. suite #342) is the place to go...they sell Canon and Nikon and all the extras you will want. 
My new lens is a Tamron 150-600mm. It's big and heavy, but boy can it zoom! Joe included a mono-pole for stability and a padded case. 

Silverbell Lake at Christopher Columbus Park

 We didn't waste anytime heading to Silverbell Lake where Greg and Guillermo said the herons were nesting. 




This area is near the Sweetwater Wetlands which is a man-made wetlands that uses recycled treated water to keep the wetlands thriving. I found out today this is one of the top birdwatching spots in Tucson. 

  Most breeding colonies are located with-in 2-4 miles of feeding areas...isolated in swamps or on an island like the one here at Silverbell Lake...how on earth did herons find Tucson and choose to nest here?

The male heron collects much of the nesting material, gathering sticks and presenting them to the female. The female then weaves a platform and lines it with moss, dry grass, etc. It can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to complete a nest. A finished nest measures up to 4 feet across and nearly 3.5 feet deep and will be used multiple years.

There are 3 birds in this photo...the one sitting on the nest is in the middle and barely seen. At first I thought maybe it was feeding time...

I did read about a nest relief ceremony in which the birds erect their plumes and "clapper" their bill tips...

And that is what I called "changing of the guard".




I could have spent the whole day watching! 














The lake was full of coots and ducks...

...and the trees were full of birds too.

Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!

Chivo Falls

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 8, 2015

Sunday was the day, after almost 5 months, that we had a trail day in Pearl. There are a few trails we could choose from in the Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails guide. 




Chivo, or Chiva as the locals call it, Falls was our destination. We chose this trail because we didn't have a jeeping buddy and figured this trail might be used on a Sunday. 

airing down...

To get there, follow Tanque Verde Road which changes to a well maintained gravel road called Redington Road. About 1/2 mile past mile marker 7, you will see a large parking lot to air down. Trail 4417 is on the left...

Beautiful things to see on Redington Road...

Right from the get-go, the trail is fun...nice and rocky...just right for crawlin'. And taking in all the beauty this area has to offer.

When the Guide was published, this trail was rated difficult because of an obstacle named Three Feathers about 3/4 of a mile into the trail.

We got out and studied our choices...3 different ways down. We chose the middle route and chose to go tippy rather than over the boulder on driver side. 

Team work for sure...Joe did a great job following the route as I spotted him down. For me, it was the first time I have spotted and taken pictures.

 About half way we crossed an earthen dam at Chiva Tank.

And shortly after, we came to 3 Points...an intersection. We went right on 4426 in search of a short hike to pools. We obviously missed the trailhead so we back tracked 2.4 miles to 4405 in search of the falls. 

The guide said to bear left on 4405A...we never saw 4405A! There were steep assents, descents, narrow ledges, and big boulders! But no 4405A and no falls.

We came to a rather good size stream and Pearl gurgled her way across...we were in hopes that 4405 led back to Redington, but after walking a good ways down stream, we didn't find a visible trail.  You know what that means...

When we reached Three Feathers on the way out, there were locals who had just strapped out a buggy. We crawled right up the same way we had crawled down...WAHOO! I did ask them where the falls were and showed them our map... they said the trails change at least 3 times a year! That made me feel a little better! 

This was Pearl's first trail with new 37" Nitto tires. Joe was very pleased! 

We had a blast with smiles from ear to ear for about 5 hours! 



Until next time...

enjoy the adventure and happy trails!