The Great Horned Owl

Corona de Tucson

April 10, 2022

Yesterday afternoon Joe and I were working in the garage.  It was around 2:00 when I looked across the street and stopped dead in my tracks.  I quietly asked, "Does that look like an owl in the tree across the street?"  Joe quickly replied, "Go get your camera."  

An hour later, I was still taking pictures.  I have had some amazing photo shoots with birds over the past few years, but few compare to this magnificent predator that was only a few yards away.  He studied me and I studied him.  

He ignored me, but I never turned my back on him.  

He thought perhaps...maybe it's a dream and I thougtht perhaps maybe he was right.

A few interesting facts I learned from All About Birds.

When clenched, a Great Horned Owl's strong talons require a force of 28 pounds to open.  This deadly grip is used to sever the spine of large prey.

Great Horned Owl's are covered in extremely soft feathers that insulate them against cold winter weather and help them fly very quietly in pursuit of prey.

Great Horned Owl's have large eyes with pupils that open widely in the dark and retinas containing many rod cells for excellent night vision.  

Their eyes do not move in their sockets, but they can swivel their heads more than 180 degrees to look in any direction. 

The Great Horned does not have horns, but is named for the tufts of feathers that sit on top of its head called plumicorns.  Their ears are simple holes in their heads underneath their feathers.  They have very good hearing thanks in part to the facial disc feathers that direct sound waves to their ears.

The Great Horned Owl is one of the most common owls in North America and can be found in all states except Hawaii.  They do not migrate.

I was surprised to see the picture below when I was editing the 150 + photos I took...that's pretty cool to have a hummingbird and an owl in the same photo !

When we went to take the pups for an afternoon walk about 5:00, he was there again...patiently watching and waiting.   I can't go to the kitchen now without spending a few minutes at the window looking for him.    

Gabe Zimmerman Trail

Corona de Tucson

April 5, 2022

Gabe Zimmerman, the director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabby Gifford, died January 8, 2011 in a shooting outside a Tucson supermarket at an event held for Gabby Gifford.  

As a Tucson native, he took full advantage of the many opportunities to play outside...hiking and biking were at the top of his list for favorites.  

I mentioned in the previous post, that the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) traverses through a special place near Tucson known as Davidson Canyon.  Gabe was instrumental in the the Arizona Trail obtaining its National Scenic Trail status in 2009.  We returned this morning to hike the section of trail on the ridge above Davidson Canyon.  With warm sunshine, blue skies, a light breeze, and camera in hand, we headed west towards the Santa Rita Mountains on a new to us trail.   

It wasn't long before we were walking along the ridge with views of Davidson Canyon below us with the Santa Ritas in the background.

The edge of the ridge is where the golden grass stops...its a pretty big drop to the canyon where the dark colored trees are.

It is a curvy trail that meanders up and down thru groves of ocotillo, groves of creosote bushes, and golden grass and prickly pear.  The constant is always the mountains.

Headed west toward the interstate...Santa Rita Mountains

Headed east towards the parking lot...the Rincon Mountains

Our destination for today was the underpass at I-10.  It's little over 1 1/2 miles from the parking lot where we began.

It would be way cool to walk under the interstate one day and explore the other side.  

The wildflowers along the ridge were dainty and colorful.  None of them were more than just a few inches tall.   

The first cacti bloom photo for 2022.

And the only wildlife sightings for the day...

Parking for the Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead is located at 16248 E Marsh Station Road in Vail, AZ.  The parking lot has room for 22 vehicles.  

The trail is used by hikers, bikers and horses.  Both times we have visited the area,  we have only seen a couple of people.  

This past Saturday morning we joined Randy and his daughter Stacie for the Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair.  It was fun walking 4th Avenue.  Some of the "crafts", which are mostly made by the vendors themselves, are quite stunning and unique.  Of course food venues are a big part of the fair and the yummy smells sure do make me hungry.  I was happy when it was lunchtime.  We enjoyed another delicious meal at Caruso's Italian Restaurant...a Tucson tradition since 1938.  

After lunch, Stacie and I were fitted for toe rings.  

So far so good.  

 

Sunday we needed a few things from Lowes.  Wild Birds Unlimited is close to the Lowes on Speedway.   I always enjoy going to Wild Birds and never leave empty handed.  We purchased two new hummingbird feeders with raised perches. and a feeder that hooks to the fence in the backyard that serves a buffet of seasonal fruit and peanut butter bites. 

  

We also added a second seed feeder.

and I love it when they come together. 

That about wraps up the week.  Life is good at the oasis !

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS!