Busy Doing Nothing !

Corona de Tucson

June 11, 2024 

The gorgeous morning glow and golden grass...

I didn't get a post written over the weekend.  Joe and I were busy...busy doing absolutely nothing !  It seems like we always have somewhere to go...and three of those "always have somewhere to go" days were on the calendar last week with another one on yesterday (Monday)...an appointment for me at the GP, a vet appointment for Sally, an ophthalmologist appointment for Joe and yesterday a dentist appointment for both of us to have our teeth cleaned.  I'm good to go, Sally hid from the vet tech, Joe's eye hasn't completely healed, and our teeth are shiny white.

Sally is not a fan of these monthly visits for shots, but they have helped.  After a couple of droopy days and no appetite, she once again hippy-hops around the house...especially when it's time to eat.     

She is hiding from the vet tech! 

Dr McColgin's exam didn't exactly give us great news about Joe's right eye.  It still has a small crevice where his cornea has not completely healed.  He is still on antibiotic drops (4 times a day) and she added an antibiotic capsule he takes twice a day.  She plugged the upper and lower tear ducts in his eye so his tears will not drain and put in another contact lens.  We go back on the 18th for a re-check.  Did you know that your tears have an enzyme called lysozyme that helps prevent infections in your eye?  It has antibacterial properties and is a component of the immune system.   

Appointments are not all bad ! I love how Pearl (our jeep) knows the way to fun and yummy things to eat...

Lunch after the eye doctor...

It's a brownie Pizookie at BJ's after the dentist...

Back at the oasis, we did manage three morning early walks.  

We have crossed paths with baby Gamble's Quail on our walks, but haven't seen any in our yard to photograph.  We haven't seen any baby Cardinals either.  The grown-ups visit frequently for water and usually leave with a morsel or two.  

And the baby Cactus Wrens are now teenagers.

We love visitors...especially during patio coffee time.

One thing we do enjoy during the summer is the yard.  While the coffee perks, Joe and I feed the birds and water flowers.  The mornings are so nice and it's our time for cooler temps, fresh air and sunshine.

The Torch Cactus we have had a couple of years just keeps on blooming.  It is so pretty.  I took these photos (and all the pictures of the blooms) this morning. 

I have for as long as I can remember loved zinnias.  I could never grow zinnias in Georgia.  I never figured out why...maybe too much rain or humidity or the dirt wasn't right.  I was surprised to find zinnias at Chivano Nursery a few weeks ago and could not resist.  I chose pots instead of a bed in the yard.  

 Sue had beautiful beds of zinnias at their lake house and every summer when she posted photos, they made me smile.  My fingers are crossed and Sue if you have any secrets for keeping them healthy and blooming, I need to know. They are such happy colors ! 

I love mixing yellow with any color, but I do think pairing it with purple is especially pretty.  I mixed Desert Marigolds and Phlox together in a pot and so far, so good.  

The Pincushion is full of flowers.

 And I can always depend on begonias for lots of color !

A photo of photos...my computer bouquet !

Sally's agenda includes a morning walk.  It is the highlight of the day for her and for us !  

And thats a wrap for us.  It's hot here.  Not the same kind of hot as in Georgia with all the humidity so I am not complaining.  Just thankful to have a few hours in the early morning and late afternoon and so happy to be here!  

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS ! 

Birding at Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Corona de Tucson

June 2, 2024 

Friday morning Joe and I were up and out the door at 7:00. Our destination was Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

We visited this beautiful canyon last November and the maple trees were stunning.  In that post, I included a bit of history about the canyon and lots of fall color. If you want to visit Ramsey Canyon thru my lens, it is the featured post at the top of the right side bar.  

It was no surprise to find ourselves meandering under a canopy of green this time of year. 

Green is said to be the most restful and relaxing color to the eye.  There is definitely something calming about lots of green and being surrounded by it in nature.   

For years, I have wanted to see and photograph an Elegant Trogon in Madera Canyon.  These colorful birds arrive in a tiny little corner of southeast Arizona in April-May for breeding and depart in October-November.   On the way to Ramsey Canyon, my fingers were crossed and we were hopeful we would see this colorful rare beauty. Unfortunately, it did not happen...not yet anyway, but we will keep trying.   Even though we didn't see an Elegant Trogon, we did see three new to us birds and lots of familiar birds. 

Painted Redstart :

These quick moving little birds are quite showy and very hard to photograph.  They hop along branches pivoting their body, fanning their tail and opening their wings to startle insect prey into moving. They will eat butterflies, moths, flies, leafhoppers, and caterpillars. They rarely nest in trees, but prefer the cavities on the ground and under bushes on the side of a creek.  Nests are made of grass so I suppose the Painted Redstart in the photo I took is busy trying to settle in for the summer.  Other than the red breast, a distinctive mark is the white crest below the eye. 

Information from All About Birds

Western Wood-Pewee :

The Western Wood-Pewee is a grayish brownish color and are usually seen on exposed branches.  These flycatchers often put on quite a show (making them hard to capture a clear picture) sallying back and forth while nabbing flying insects.  They sit tall when perched showing off their "partially buttoned gray vest" while singing a nasal version of their name all summer.  Most often the pair will choose a fork in a horizontal branch away from the trunk for a nesting site.  They comically try out the spot by squatting and turning around on the branches while calling to each other.  

Information from All About Birds

 Sulphur-Bellied Flycatcher :

Sulphur-Bellied Flycatchers...thats about as much fun to say as Yellow- rumped Warbler...are described as a large tyrant flycatcher that looks tropical and sounds tropical.  Maybe that is because it is closely related to all the flycatcher species that live in South and Central America.  

The Sulphur-bellied is the most northern of these species and spend its winters in Bolivia.  During the summer, it usually breeds in Mexico and barely enters the United States right here in Southeast Arizona.  It is a beautiful bird with its boldly patterned streaks, large white eyebrows, mustache, bright rufous tail, and yellow belly for which it is named.  

Information from Tucson Audubon Society

We also saw an American Robin, Acorn Woodpeckers, a Summer Tanager, Orioles, and several different hummingbirds.  

A few more favorite photos...

Reflections of the blue sky and green leaves in Ramsey Creek...

Hunting for breakfast...

Shadows...

An Arizona native, Southeastern Prickly Poppy....

My honey-bunny...

To round out the week, Joe had a follow up with the eye doctor.  She was very happy as Joe's eye is healing nicely and he actually saw the BIG letters on the eye chart and could tell how many fingers she held up.  He is still on antibiotic drops and goes back this Friday to have the contact lens taken out.  I had a much needed haircut.  It's a bit of a drive to the salon and I appreciated Joe taking me,  It was a 9:00 am appointment so we enjoyed a nice brunch at Teaspoon afterwards.  This quaint patio restaurant is located in the courtyard where the salon is.    

Crab Benedict with greens (and a yummy dressing) and breakfast fries

Back at the oasis, we enjoyed cool morning air and walks. Afterwards, it is all about feeding the birds, watering flowers, and time in the rocking chair with coffee in hand enjoying the birds in our own backyard.  

 

 

Sally amuses herself and us !

Felix and Edith are at the beach !

I love Felix's summer freckles...

and Edith's ocean breeze hair. 

That about wraps up our week.  It was a god one !  I can't believe we turned the calendar again and it's June already !  

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !