Tanque Verde Canyon

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 16, 2015

There is nothing like a hike and the great outdoors to elevate your spirits and adjust your attitude for the better. Especially if the hike is in the desert...a desert in all its glory! 

This is our third winter to spend time in Tucson. I fell in love with the desert the first time I laid eyes on it, but never have we seen it so full of color.

Tanque Verde River...looking right towards Tucson

The trail to the Tanque Verde River is .5 mile down to the canyon floor. Loose gravel and boulder steps slowed us down to a cautious turtle pace, but that was OK by me...more photo opps! 

...and looking left towards the falls.

Once in the canyon you can head in either direction and walk as long or as far as you want to. There is no defined trail along the river. We did read that going left is a bit more serious with much scrambling and climbing over boulders. Our legs are not quite there yet!

Rocks and more rocks...I do love a canyon wall and this one was quite showy with its colorful layers, pops of yellow flowers and awesome cacti.

  

And did I mention a river? Yep, with crystal clear, cool...um...cold water



 flowing over  huge...um...ginormous boulders!

First sighting of signs that Saguaro Cacti will bloom soon.

A good work-out going up...

Even though this was a short hike, it sure had alot to offer. 

 Yikes...can you believe all that puppy hair on Pearl's seat? What a pain in the derriere. It weaves all in the fibers that the seat is made of and will NOT vacuum off! 

I am pleased to report that I am now a very happy jeeper. We splurged and bought Trek-Armor seat covers made just for Jeeps and they fit like a glove and best of all, I can wipe Dover and Wreck's fur out with my hand!

When we were at Christopher Columbus Park the other day, we heard a boat motor...one of the lakes there is designated for Remote Control Boats. Joe has built two of these. There is a club and they have races here. This was a test run to work out some kinks. The gentleman was very nice and spent some time talking with Joe.   

I still haven't figured out how The Tan Clan managed to all be on Belle's dash at the same time...They were anxiously waiting our departure from San Diego. Never a dull moment!

And never a missed opportunity for a nap!

Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!

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!