My Collage

Cardinal on the east side

2012-01-28T21:10:00.004-07:00

For me, one of the hardest things about moving is leaving behind the bird community that I established. When moving from the west side to the east side of Tucson, I left a cardinal that I could always count on to be one of the first visitors at the feeder in the morning, and the last one at the fountain at night.

After moving, it took about two months, but finally a pair of cardinals arrived. When not snacking at the feeder, the male likes to hang out in the staghorn chollas (a type of cactus) in the back yard, and he's stunning in the midst of the desert colors. I've been trying to get a good picture of him in the cholla because it's such a nice juxtaposition to the "traditional" shot of a cardinal in an evergreen. (Think Christmas cards.) But this is the desert, baby!

Male cardinal in the cholla against the late afternoon sun.
When I snapped this picture, I was so focused on getting the cardinal in the shot, I hadn't realized there was also a house finch and a lesser goldfinch in the picture!

Male cardinal in the cholla in the morning light.

Early morning visitor in the backyard

2012-01-28T09:00:00.001-07:00

One of three roaming the hillside out back.

The first step in saying "Goodbye."

2012-01-28T00:49:00.008-07:00

Even before I got "the news" I knew in my heart that something was wrong. I tried not to imagine the worst, but I was already stringing together the words I would need to write to help me deal with the highs and lows that loomed ahead. I don't consider too many things critical to my well-being but spending time with my cats and writing are near the top of my list. I suppose then it's only fitting that I write during these last weeks or (hopefully) months, of my cat, Galen's, life.

Veterinarians will refer to most cats as "companion animals," and I find that a fitting description. I have lived with cats for most of my life, and my entire adult life, and I can never recall a time when I've been lonely. (Ever!)

As I write this, Galen is peacefully slumbering on my lap. The laptop is perched on the arm of the chair so that he can fully stretch out, and I am twisted to the side and a bit uncomfortable. He is not.

His breathing is deep and rhythmic, and if I stroke his glossy fur he'll start to purr. He's not really asleep yet. He's cat napping as only cats can do.

Although it's been almost three months since he had an untrasound, the fur on his belly still hasn't grown in all the way. At this rate, it will probably be another three months before it does.

Somewhere along the way I lost track of how long Galen has been sick, but after sorting through the papers in his medical file I realized that it had been almost two years since the vet had made the first house call.

The once in awhile bloody stool had turned into a once or twice a week event. (Yes, I knew it was HIS despite the fact there are two other cats in this house!)

Because a trip to the vet usually required anesthesia to conduct any type of meaningful exam on him, I opted instead for a house call. However, without the benefit of more complex diagnostic equipment, there was only so much that could be ruled out with a house call. The vet told me to monitor things, and said his symptoms were most likely caused by stress, and/or eating things he shouldn't.

Months passed, and then the vomiting started. Or more specifically, increased. By their very nature, cats will sometimes vomit. (Not to be gross, but they get hair balls!) Finally, his vomiting became so frequent he was losing weight. So off to the vet, anesthesia be damned!

Then the tests began. Finally after a few weeks and thousands of dollars of exams Galen was given a diagnosis of inflamatory bowel disease with cell abnormalities most consistent with lymphoma.

Even after three months, I still get that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think "cancer." Galen is only ten. That's middle age in cat years.

I'm not ready for this. I suppose no one ever is. But I will write so that I can capture the time that we have left and cherish the memories. I don't want to forget a thing.

Why it's called the catio

2012-01-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

Why the patio is called the "catio." Galen, Londo and Micro outside enjoying the January weather in Tucson, AZ. And of course, Galen is the most photogenic of the three!

Galen posing as a step basket

2012-01-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

Galen in a favorite perching position. When he sits this way, he reminds me of one of those step baskets--junk collectors for people too lazy to climb steps. (I would never own one!)

First sighting - Black-throated grey warbler

2011-12-25T23:17:00.002-07:00

I spotted this Black-throated grey warbler flitting in one of the trees in the front of the house snacking on something.

He usually winters in Mexico so I'm assuming he was passing through the neighborhood.

It's not home without a heron

2011-12-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

Herons have special meaning to me. No place ever seems quite like home without one nearby. I even have two herons tattooed on my back!

So imagine my surprise the first time I discovered a Great Blue Heron at our neighborhood pond in Redington Ranch.

This one seems to have taken up residence here. You have to have good birdar (bird radar) to spot him, but he's almost always there when I walk or drive by.

Look among the rocks on the far bank.

First snow of the season on the Rincon mountains

2011-12-03T23:23:00.004-07:00

A view of my neighborhood looking east.

First snow of the season on the Rincon Mountains, Tucson, AZ.

Yet one more breath-taking sunset

2011-11-30T18:05:00.001-07:00

I shall never grow tired of watching the desert sunsets.

Sunset over the Tucson mountains, Tucson, AZ.

Views along my rollerblading route

2011-11-26T11:46:00.006-07:00

After more than three years of searching, and a move to the other side of town, I now have perhaps the most gorgeous rollerblading route a gal could ever dream up.

A view of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Most people I see rollerblading skate like an automaton. They lumber on wheels. For them, a sidewalk in a city park is fine, and there are plenty of those around here.

For me, a good skate involves fast speeds and glute-burning hills. A road needs to be wide enough to handle a wide stride, and be relatively smooth. And this last requirement is probably the most challenging part of the equation.

Heavier traveled desert roads have a much higher ratio of rock to asphalt otherwise it would be a goopy mess in the heat of the summer. That leaves for a bumpy surface which I don't find very much fun. (I'm spoiled by smoother surfaces back east.)

The Rincon Mountains in a shroud of clouds.

But these roads I found are blissfully low in traffic so the asphalt is almost what I'd see back east. Not quite, but close enough.

People do come here to walk their dogs, and access the Agua Caliente trail, but for the most part, these are quiet desert SMOOTH roads TEEMING with birds!

Anyone who says "nothing lives in the desert" clearly has spent no time in the Sonoran Desert. Not all deserts are created equal!

I don't rollerblade for exercise. I rollerblade for therapy.

You can see my shadow where I'm standing on the road taking this picture.

Thousand of birds in a synchronous flight...

2011-11-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

An amazing synchronous dance of thousands of starlings caught on film ...breath-taking.

Murmuration.

Broad-billed Hummingbird - another backyard visitor

2011-10-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Another visitor to my backyard feeders is the Broad-billed hummingbird. The males are easy to differentiate from other hummers because of their bright blue throat and bright red bill.

Calliope Hummingbird - The smallest in the U.S.

2011-10-03T23:04:00.002-07:00

My feeders are positively swarming with hummingbirds right now as they migrate through to warmer climate. Southeast Arizona is a riparian highway, and this time of year is great for catching a glimpse of those weary travelers.

I have four nectar feeders hanging around the house right now, and on more than one occasion I've counted 11 (!) hummingbirds flying around one feeder. (Trust me, you have to count fast!)

Last week, I saw my very first Calliope hummingbird which is the tiniest breeding bird in North America, and the smallest long-distance bird migrant. Now, I see them regularly at the feeders as they pass through.

It was a sad day when one of the female Calliopes smacked into one of the windows and didn't recover. I put her tiny body out on the patio for the sneaky Roadrunner. She was gone that evening. I'm hoping Mr. Roadrunner ate her, and left my other birds alone for another day.

Who needs a calendar when you have white-winged doves?

2011-08-28T14:42:00.003-07:00

I don't notice right away that they're gone. It usually takes a few days. Because there are so many mourning doves the absence of the white-winged doves (a.k.a. the Mafia birds) doesn't register right away.

Looking back on previous years, however, they always arrive in Tucson around April 15, and they leave around August 25. It's like they follow some universal travel schedule.

In Pursuit of Silence

2011-07-18T23:06:00.001-07:00

We live in a noisy world. Almost by definition, "modern" living is synonymous with having a personal noise machine (cell phone, iPod, etc.) pressed into our ears. Houses that used to have one TV in the living room now have three or four (or more!) so that the blathering can be heard from every room.

I seem to be a kindred spirit with George Prochnik, author of In Pursuit of Silence. As I write this blog post, by most people's accounting my house is silent. But it's not really silent. I hear the air conditioner turning off and on, the occasional plane overhead, the refrigerator motor, my PC fan, the gas pilot light in the fireplace, the traffic two streets over, the crickets in the yard, and the timer ticking on the side table lamp. I hear all of these sounds because of its silence.

This observation cuts to the point of Prochnik's book. We have become so accustomed to noise that we hear very little. Searching for silence doesn't mean you want to hear less. It means you want to hear more!

As a society, we seem to fear silence, and the ensuing stillness that forces an inward look at ourselves and our thoughts. The book didn't explore this philosophical point as much as I'd hoped. Instead, it was more focused on the history of noise, the science of it, and how people react to it.

All of this was interesting, and not surprisingly, little gems of wisdom emerged. For example, if you're having trouble in your home life, turn off the noise and the stress will fade!

However, it would have been an even more enticing book if there had been more exploration into the "why" of our noisy existence. Despite not delving deeply into the philosophy, Prochnik does provide an excellent quote from Soren Kierkegaard from The Lily in the Field and the Bird of the Air.

"How solemn it is out there under God's heaven with the lily and the bird, and why? Ask the poet. He answers: Because there is silence. And his longing goes out to that solemn silence, away from the worldliness in the human world, where there is so much talking, away from all the worldly human life that only in a sad way demonstrates that speech distinguishes human beings above the animals. 'Because,' says the poet, 'if this is the distinguishing characteristic--no, then I much, much prefer the silence out there.'"

Great Blue Heron - First sighting in Tucson

2011-05-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

I saw my very first Great Blue Heron today in Tucson. I used to see them all summer back in the 'burgh. I'd almost forgotten how BIG (a six foot wing span!) they are.

Green-tailed Towhee - spotted again

2011-04-03T21:29:00.001-07:00

I was just talking on Friday about the Green-tailed Towhee, an uncommon visitor to my yard, and lo and behold, I saw one all day on Sunday eating the thistle seed off of the ground under the feeder. Isn't that weird how that happens. It's almost like I willed him to the yard!

He was more shy than the white-crowned sparrows who are still "wintering" here. I'm surprised they haven't already left for the summer. Of course, I'm surprised the Towhee is still here too!

Things I DO NOT miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order)

2011-03-21T22:31:00.003-07:00

Things I DO NOT miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#4 No spring

Although southwestern PA can have a glorious fall (and it rains a lot in the fall too) it seems to completely bypass anything close to a spring. Oh sure, there are a few days when the incessant snow (!), sleet, rain, and overall gloom let up enough to remind you of the warmer days to come. But overall, this is one season that would be better named "flood."

First 2011 sighting of the Hooded Orioles!

2011-03-19T10:57:00.001-07:00

As is usually the case, I heard the Hooded Orioles first. I've been watching for them now for a few weeks because it's that time of year when they reappear in Tucson to nest over the summer. When I ran to the window, I saw two males scoping out the hummingbird feeders. I'm convinced it's the same family that returns every year because they seem to know EXACTLY where the feeders are, and they know EXACTLY how to precariously hang on them to sip nectar. March 19 -- this is six days earlier than I saw them last year.

Steelers fans will be depressed for weeks

2011-02-06T21:48:00.001-07:00

Things I DO NOT miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#3 Steelers Mania

The Steelers lost Superbowl XLV today. I'm sad. But not like they are in Pittsburgh where they will be depressed for weeks.

Pittsburgh lives and breathes Steelers football. There are plenty of Steelers fans in Tucson, but the mania--well, it's best to keep that back in the 'burgh.

Spring in the desert

2011-01-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely upon us in the desert. There are new leaves budding on the Palo Verde tree in the back. Plus I saw blooming brittlebush and ocotillo on my motorcycle ride today.

Anna's Hummingbird

2011-01-20T22:26:00.001-07:00

A male Anna's hummingbird visited the feeder that I have attached to the window of the office. They're common in southern Arizona, but I had never seen one before. He's come by twice this week that I have noticed.

Wise Men were Wise Indeed

2010-12-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of myth and legend surrounding Christmas, and the images we have of the birth of the Messiah are just as likely to come from the gospel of Hallmark as they are the gospel of Matthew or Luke. One of those myths is the belief that three kings traveled from the Orient to worship the baby Jesus.

Nowhere in original translations is there a record of three kings. Matthew’s gospel says, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:1)

These wise men weren’t kings. They belonged to a gentile sect of learned men called magi. From the days of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, gentiles had heard prophecies that during the rule of the Roman empire, there would come a deliverer from Israel who would reign as king of kings.

There is also no reason to believe there were only three magi. The magi are referenced in other ancient texts besides the Bible, and chances are there were many more who journeyed out to find their king. These foreigners must have made quite a spectacle as their caravan came trudging into Jerusalem, dusty and dirty from traveling across the desert.

Because, these wise men were looking for a king, they went straight to the palace and asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Their inquiry must have come as quite a surprise to Herod, who was insanely possessive of his throne. “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled.” (Matthew 2:3)

Herod seethed, knowing that somewhere a king had been born who might threaten his authority for “when he had gathered all of the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.” (Matthew 2:4)

Sporting his best poker face, the oily King Herod “inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.” He sent the wise men to Bethlehem, and you can almost hear the contempt as he says “Go and search diligently for the young child and when ye have found him, bring me word again so that I may come and worship him also.” (Matthew 2:7-8)

Whatever it was that guided the wise men, it is unlikely they saw a star in the sky, for they followed it directly to a house, (not a stable) where the young family was then living. Having traveled many months, not days as the Christmas legend implies, their quest was complete.

These foreigners from a distant land must have truly been open to the God of Israel because “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matthew 2:12)

When King Herod realized that the magi were not going to return, he flew into a rage. Based on when the magi reported first seeing the star, Herod ordered the execution “...of all children that were in Bethlehem, and in all of the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.” (Matthew 2:13)

But God had already warned Joseph in a dream, “Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt...for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13)

These wise men were truly remarkable. Their belief in the God of the Israelites and their willingness to travel to the ends of the earth to find this king of kings rightfully places them right at the heart of the meaning of Christmas.

From my home to yours, I wish you a merry one.

Female Vermilion Flycatcher

2010-12-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

I saw a bird on one of the neighbor's rooftops. Its size caught my eye because it was too big to be one of the common sparrow or finch residents. As it flitted off its perch and then back again, I knew it was some kind of flycatcher. A quick cross-reference and its a female Vermilion Flycatcher. I've seen the brilliant male Vermilion Flycatchers (They put cardinals to shame!) both last year and this year in a yard near the office.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

2010-12-20T09:32:00.003-07:00

This weekend I heard a new bird while I was sitting out on the patio. When I finally spotted it, I made note of its markings including, "This guy has a yellow butt." As it turns out, his name really fits! This bird is a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Since I've moved to the Southwest, I've found it interesting to discover how many variations there are within a species because of interbreeding and regional differences. That makes identifying birds out here a bit tricky. Back East, most birds look and sound pretty much the same.

Smart Lizard!

2010-07-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

One minute I spot a lizard hanging out on the saguaro skeleton that's leaning against the back patio. The next minute he's swinging on the feeder licking his lips. (Well, at least the lizard equivalent of licking his lips.) He had devoured a bee that was buzzing around the feeder. He hung out there for at least a half hour snagging unsuspecting bees.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom #5

2010-07-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Sighting (Tucson)

I have CDO. It's like OCD, but all the letters are in alphabetical orderAS THEY SHOULD BE!

Pittsburgh skyline from the Fort Pitt Tunnels

2010-07-03T23:22:00.008-07:00

Things I miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#5 View of the Pittsburgh skyline through the Fort Pitt Tunnels

Humble little Pittsburgh has one of the most spectacular "entrances." This video plays in real time meaning this is how long it take to get through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Sometimes it takes even longer since drivers tend to liberally apply their brakes while traveling through it.

Before entering the tunnel, you have no hint that you're approaching the city. Notice all of the hills. Once you exit the tunnel, the city and the three rivers surround you. Note the gray, gloomy sky!!!

Here's a shorter clip (on a rare sunny day) that shows more of the river.

This is the Fort Pitt Bridge--the bridge you cross after exiting the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom #4

2010-05-03T22:02:00.001-07:00

Bumper Sticker Sighting (Phoenix)

Scorpions, Rattlesnakes, Deserts, Gila Monsters
Arizona is not for wimps! .

Oriole Sighting

2010-03-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

I saw the Hooded Oriole sipping out of the hummingbird feeder yesterday. This is a month earlier than I saw him last year!

Sandhill Cranes - Whitewater Draw - Southeast, AZ

2010-02-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

Sandhill Cranes seen February 13, 2010 at the Whitewater Draw in Southeastern Arizona.

There were plenty of birds besides the Sandhill cranes to see...

including this Green-winged Teal.

After the sun set, and there was still just enough light to see, thousands of cranes flew in from the nearby fields looking much like this. (Video from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory)

Bumper Sticker Wisdom #3

2010-01-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

Bumper Sticker Sighting (Los Angeles)

Wag more. Bark less.

Old Stone House - David Yetman Trail

2010-01-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

Where: Tucson, AZ

Trail: David Yetman Trail from the Richard Genser Starr Pass Trail Head to the Old Stone House in Tucson.Mountain Park.

When: January 2, 2010

Weather: Bright and sunny and 70 degrees

Birds of note: Ladder-backed Woodpecker (first sighting)

Trail notes: Walked to the Old Stone House. This abandoned stone house was built in the 1930s by Sherry Bowen who reportedly worked for the Arizona Daily Star.

They must have ridden horses back and forth to this place because it's miles from any type of developed road. The Bowen House was left empty when they moved back east. In 1983, the structure became part of the Tucson Mountain Park. What GLORIOUS views to wake up to every day!

The Prequel to the Christmas Story...

2009-12-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

It’s unfortunate that one of the most fascinating parts of the Christmas story is often skipped in the traditional retelling of the birth of Christ.

Admittedly, the Bible verses, “Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah…” don’t lend themselves to the more traditional Sunday school plays. But that quick overview of Jesus’ ancestors is God’s shorthand way of reminding us how he kept his promise to send the Messiah.

When you study the history of these people, it’s incredible that Jesus was even born, especially in light of some of his unsavory relatives.

According to Hebrew tradition, women were never included in genealogies, yet in Matthew’s version of the family tree, he goes out of his way to mention several. Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar” (Matthew 1:3). So who was Tamar?

Tamar was actually Judah’s daughter-in-law. In a drama worthy of an episode of Jerry Springer, Tamar, a childless widow, disguised herself as a prostitute and tricked her father-in-law into a night of amour. Nine months later, Tamar gave birth to twins, and Perez would continue Jesus’ family line.

Another woman who merited a special remark was Rahab (Matthew 1:5). The book of Joshua tells us she was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. When Joshua sent two spies to look over this land, Rahab hid the foreigners on her roof and lied to her king saying she did not know who they were or where they went.

As darkness approached, Rahab spoke to the spies and proclaimed her faith and trust in the God of Israel. When the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, “Joshua saved Rahab, the harlot, alive and her father’s household and all that she had, and she dwelleth in Israel…” (Joshua 6:22). Soon after, Rahab was grafted into the family tree.

Matthew also refers to Ruth (Matthew 1:5). Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, left the land of Judah and sojourned to the country of Mosh. Both sons married Moabites, a hated people well known for their pagan idolatry.

The story continues that after the death of her husband and two sons, Naomi decided to return alone to Judah. But Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law already had pledged herself to the God of Israel. Ruth left her homeland to live in Judah, and yet another foreigner became a part of Jesus’ lineage when Ruth married Boaz.

The last two women Matthew references are Mary, mother of Jesus, and another woman who is not specifically named in Matthew’s retelling. “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife” (Matthew 1:6) Now this had been a tongue-wagging scandal, and lest anyone forget, Matthew goes out of his way to make sure the horror is laid bare for all to remember.

Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba, and certainly Uriah would have been one of King David’s biggest supporters if not one of his closest friends. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. When she discovered she was pregnant, David betrayed Uriah once again by sending him to the front line of battle and then removing all reinforcements ensuring that he would be killed.

David, however, knew God’s heart and repented for his atrocities. Although the son born of transgression died, David and Bathsheba would later have another son, Solomon, who is described as the wisest man who ever lived. He continued Jesus’ family line.

The entire old testament, summarized in those few verses in Mathew and Luke tells the saga of one family. It’s an account of kings and warriors, slaves and peasants, murderers and harlots, liars and cheaters, heroes and saints. It’s a story of hope and promise. Despite it all, the Messiah was born.

Today, God is still fulfilling his promises no matter how dark and bleak the world sometimes appears. At Christmas, we would do well to remember that.

From my home to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Deb Ayers

Bumper Sticker Wisdom #2

2009-12-14T22:43:00.001-07:00

Bumper Sticker Sighting (Tucson)

I achieved all of my goals at Butterfield Elementary.

Uh-huh. This person set a pretty low bar for themselves...

A Living Desert Scene

2009-11-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Tucson artist Dave McMahon (http://www.fioretileworks.com) created a desert scene that was enticing enough to attract this lizard.

Home Site - Dragoon Mountain Ranch, St. David, AZ - October 2009

2009-10-25T21:52:00.001-07:00

Lake Tahoe - CA Side

2009-10-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

You've got to love a company that sends you to Lake Tahoe for a three-day Directors' meeting. What an absolutely gorgeous place! Here's some video footage.

Lake Tahoe (CA side) at the shoreline.

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.

Catalina Mountain Highway

2009-10-17T21:09:00.003-07:00

Catalina Mountain Highway - This breathtaking scenic highway to the top of the sky island of Mt. Lemmon takes you from the low Sonoran Desert to a high Alpine forest (9100 feet). That's the biological equivalent of traveling from Mexico to Canada in 27 miles.

Where: Just north of Tucson, AZ

When: October 17, 2009

Weather: Bright and sunny with some puffer clouds and a bit of a breeze. Temperatures in the mid-90s on the desert floor and mid-70s at the summit.

Birds of note: Townsend Warblers.

Trail notes:Beautiful fall colors. The leaves are just about at their peak.

Townsend's Warbler

2009-10-11T20:26:00.001-07:00

Saw a Townsend's Warbler on my morning walk flitting in the canopy of a mesquite tree. It nests in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, so it's here to escape the cold. Aren't we all?

Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains 4000'

2009-10-10T23:49:00.001-07:00

I took the convertible up to Mt. Lemmon today to catch some of the fall color. This shot is at 4000'--less than halfway up the mountain.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom - #1

2009-10-06T23:04:00.001-07:00

Bumper Sticker Sighting (Tucson)

Vegetarian - Old Indian word meaning lousy hunter.

Gates Pass on a Ninja

2009-09-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

I took the Ninja out through Gates Pass and Saguaro National Park for some "mental health" exercise. As I rounded the bend to go through the pass, I realized that I was the only one on the road. I opened up the throttle and leaned into the curves... :-)

Hiked Brown Mountain Trail

Where: Tucson, AZ

Trail: Brown Mountain Trail in Tucson Mountain Park in the Tucson Mountains (where else?) west of Tucson. (Panorama View)

When: September 30, 2009

Weather: Bright and sunny with some puffer clouds and a bit of a breeze. Temperatures in the mid-90s.

Birds of note: One cactus wren.

Trail notes: It was a quiet day. Not many birds or animals--especially the two-legged ones--to be seen.

One Saguaro had a blossom on it which is very odd for this time of year.

View of the Tucson Mountains from Brown Mountain.

View of a dust storm in front of the Roskruge Mountains as seen from the top of Brown Mountain. These "younger" Saguaro will be living long after I'm gone.

Evening Cardinal

2009-09-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Every evening my male cardinal makes one last stop at the fountain for a drink. There have been a few days that I stopped myself from turning it off in the waning sunset because I hadn't seen him yet. That's when I'd sit on the patio and sure enough, he'd arrive for one last sip or two. I snapped his picture this evening.

Green-tailed Towhee

2009-09-13T23:25:00.003-07:00

I saw a my first Green-tailed towhee this evening. Actually, I heard it first, and since I didn't recognize his call, it caught my attention. He was scratching around in the ground litter under the orange tree and then hopped up on the back wall so I got a good look at him (or her).

They don't summer in Tucson so clearly it's here for the winter. That's one of the things that's great about living in the southwest--you see MORE (different types) birds in winter than summer.

Photographer: http://www.naturespicsonline.com/

Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge, NM

2009-08-31T20:06:00.002-07:00

I assumed the Rio Grande River cut this gorge like the Colorado river cut the Grand Canyon, but actually the valley was formed first and the river followed. This area sits between two tectonic plates and a bazillion years ago the shifting of the earth's crust formed the gorge. The bridge is the fifth highest span in the U.S.

The surrounding area at the top. You wouldn't want to be stumbling around in the dark because there's no indication that a gorge is nearby.

The Rio Grande from the valley.

White Sands National Monument - NM

2009-08-29T22:49:00.004-07:00

Trees that survive in this harsh environment have to grow faster than the sand dunes form. This isn't a three foot Cottonwood tree, it's a 30 foot Cottonwood. As long as some of its leaves stay above the sand, the tree will survive.

Animals emerge at night leaving a diary of footprints to record the events.

Most sand is made of quartz. This sand is made from gypsum which dissolves easily in water. Because there is no river for this gypsum-laden water to flow into, it pools, evaporates, and forms a residue that eventually turns into sand that's as fine as talcum powder. It also does not get hot despite the 100 degree desert temperatures.

White-winged doves gone for the summer

2009-08-25T23:17:00.003-07:00

The white-winged doves (a.k.a. the Mafia birds) have flown south for the cooler season. I guess they must like it REALLY hot. They'll be back when the saguaro bloom.

Little bit of rain = Texas rangers

2009-08-25T23:08:00.003-07:00

Texas rangers don't need much encouragement to bloom, and they don't have a "season." They just seem to bloom at whim, but they're more likely to burst into color after even the tiniest bit of rain. The neighborhood is filled with sprays of purple right now.

It's a Kickeroo, not a teddy bear!

2009-08-23T11:34:00.004-07:00

I got the three spoiled fur balls a Kickeroo. As its name implies, this is supposed to promote activity in felines.

Micro seems to think it's a teddy bear. She likes to cuddle it...

and sleep on it. Sigh...

Clouds rolling in

2009-08-23T11:06:00.002-07:00

A lone cloud begins to tower over a peak in the Tucson mountains.

A bank of clouds hovers over the Santa Catalina Mountains.

It will be raining by evening.

Barrel cactus in bloom

2009-08-18T21:32:00.002-07:00

The barrel cactus have been blooming for a couple of weeks. In the first picture, you can also see the red prickly pear fruit on the prickly pear cactus.

Breaking the silence--AZ's dumb sales tax proposal

2009-08-11T21:04:00.004-07:00

I've been on a self-imposed moratorium on the reading, listening and discussing financial or political news for more than a year. Last year, I let lapse a 28-year subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Ditto for the 26-year subscription to BusinessWeek.

I was sick of the spin and the hype that always accompany a major election. I used to tolerate it back in the day when the idiocy lasted only a blessed few months. But now it drones on for years. For the sake of my sanity, I just had to take a break.

So what has forced me to break the silence? I'm not sure. Maybe it's just because you can't keep a libertarian quiet for very long.

I was listening to NPR's Morning Edition on the drive to the office this morning. That's not a morning ritual--I just happened to be flipping through the stations. I heard the reporter or "correspondent" as I believe NPR prefers to call its minions talk about the proposed penny sales tax increase.

A penny.

Only a penny.

Who could object to that? It's only a penny.

Of course, NPR isn't the only one who's calling this a penny tax. Local radio hosts, newspaper reporters, bloggers, etc. have picked up on the penny pitch for higher taxes launching this into a slick pro-tax campaign worthy of Madison Avenue. Or the Washington Beltway.

But it's not "just a penny."

It's a 17.8% increase. (For those of you without a grasp of math, and that's the vast majority of people who yap about financial news, a penny increase on top of the current 5.6 penny state tax is an increase of 17.8%. That's 1 divided by 5.6.)

Of all the possible tax proposals that could be on the table, a sales tax is certainly more palatable (and fair) than others on the menu. But AZ must learn that you can't tax yourself into prosperity. If there's a shortfall in tax revenue, then you better cut your budget. That's what people have to do. That's what government should do.

The good news is that lawmakers are only determining whether or not the tax increase lands on the November ballot. If it does, I can only hope that 'zonans have the good sense to vote it down.

The views expressed here are mine and probably don't reflect those of too many other people.

Find the birds

2009-08-01T22:07:00.002-07:00

I snapped this picture today of my water fountain. (Stone Cactus Fountains) This is the same fountain that coyotes occasionally pass through to slurp.

Find the birds in the picture. Give up? Click the picture for answers.

Ash-throated flycatcher

2009-07-25T13:10:00.004-07:00

I've seen this Ash-throated flycatcher off an on for about two months. At first I wasn't sure if it was an Ash-throated flycatcher or a Brown-crested flycatcher. Today, I heard it sing, and it's definitely the Ash-throated flycatcher. He flits around the fountain, and I assume he's eating bugs, but probably not flies because there aren't a lot of flies around here.

Today I saw parent and fledgling!

Birds try to escape the heat

2009-07-19T19:02:00.002-07:00

The house finches try to escape the 108° heat by resting on the shaded patio. (It's even hotter in the sun.) They're just standing there. Some spread their wings to try to circulate the air. Others "panted." It's truly survival of the fittest. Two in my yard didn't make it today.

Gray, gloomy skies

2009-07-18T06:58:00.005-07:00

Things I DO NOT miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#2 Gray, gloomy skies

Most people in southwestern PA are oblivious to the gray, gloomy skies. I've never quite understood why because I certainly complained about it all the time. It's probably because people in the area just don't venture outside much.

Visitors to Pittsburgh assume the gray skies are caused by pollution, but there hasn't been much industry in the area for 30+ years.

What isn't well known is that Pittsburgh has more cloudy days than Seattle--without the cool espresso bars and high tech buzz. It's all of the downside, and none of the upside.

And the whole "accounting" of cloudy days isn't consistent. If a sunbeam appears at any time of the day in Pittsburgh, it's counted as a "partly cloudy" day. Frequently, the mornings are clear, but by 10:00 AM a thick blanket of gloom has spread across the entire region. A "partly cloudy" day in Tucson often still leaves you with brilliant sunshine.

Road kill

2009-07-17T20:59:00.005-07:00

Things I DO NOT miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#1 Road Kill

Dead raccoons, and possums, and deer, "Oh my!" Everywhere there is road kill. Someone I know from California who was visiting the area for the first time remarked, "You have a lot of dead animals."

Yep.

Lots of woods plus lots of critters plus lots of speeders plus lots of people not paying attention to anything beyond the hood of their car.

Add it all up and...

Ta-da!

Lots of road kill.

It's sad. It's disgusting. And it's definitely something I don't miss.

Rivers

2009-07-15T20:32:00.003-07:00

Things I miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#4 Rivers

Oh sure, southwesterners CLAIM to have rivers. But in order for a body of water to earn the moniker of 'river,' it should:

be wide enough and deep enough to swim across, and
actually HAVE water in it 365 days a year.

Here's a shot of the Ohio River flowing under the Belpre/Parkersburg Bridge in West Virgina. (All right, so technically this is not a shot of southwestern Pennsylvania, but this river flows through it.)

Brick cheese

2009-07-14T15:38:00.007-07:00

Things I miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#3 Brick cheese

I can't find Brick cheese in Tucson. (Read my rant.) Sure I can live without it, but I wish I didn't have to!

And for all of those people who have never heard of "Brick cheese," here are photos to prove I'm not making this up!

Here it is in a Pittsburgh grocery store deli.

Sold by the brick.

And pre-sliced and prepackaged.

At the Super-Wal*Mart in Pittsburgh.

At the Super-Wal*Mart deli in Pittsburgh.

Merlins at the pool

2009-07-12T16:42:00.002-07:00

I can count on seeing a Merlin around the house at least twice a week. (Read the first blog post.) Today I saw three of them lurking around the pool. One of them posed for several minutes so I was able to snap this shot with my cell phone.

Hmm, it must be a fledgling since it wasn't very camera shy. Sure enough, I spotted the nest up in the palm tree.

Colorado River toad

2009-07-08T21:42:00.007-07:00

This evening presented another monsoon light show accompanied by actual rain. It wasn't a torrential downpour, but it did indeed rain. I didn't head out on my walk until after the storms cleared through the area.

Just up the street I encountered this guy. I snapped his mugshot with my cell phone (at night) so he's hard to see, but this Colorado River toad is as big as a small dinner plate!

He was so huge he couldn't heave his girth up onto the curb though I tried to shoo him in that direction. (I didn't want him to get smashed on the road!)

I knew not to touch him (or her?). Around here, you just never know what's poisonous. Sure enough, this guy is poisonous--enough so that its venom can kill a full grown dog.

And its venom also has hallucinogenic characteristics. Uh, huh. I don't want to BEGIN to imagine how THAT trait was discovered...(Let's smoke a toad...)

In case you're wondering, those other things in the picture are seed pods from a Velvet Mesquite tree. They're everywhere--especially after a storm!

Winding back roads

2009-07-04T14:04:00.005-07:00

Things I miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#2 Winding back roads

It's a mistake to think that you can ride a motorcycle 12 months out of the year in Tucson. When the temperatures climb into triple digits, most bikers park their bikes. Air temperature of 103° is easily 140° in the sun. Add the heat reflected from pavement, and heat emitted from car engines and...well, let's just say it's not fun. My bike will stay parked until sometime in September.

Back in PA, I mapped out the BEST commute to the office. Unless it was treacherously icy, I always skipped the main roads opting instead for nine miles of winding back roads.

Summer was perfect for either a top-down convertible drive or a ride on my Ninja. These kind of roads are almost non-existent through much of the West. If there is a "back road," it's usually flat, straight, and the only way to get from A to B. Not very challenging to ride.

My current commute takes me right through downtown, and it's stop-and-go traffic all the way. It is what it is, but I miss my ride time on these roads.

No matter how bad the day was, I could always look forward to the drive home.

Jacarandas

2009-06-07T22:38:00.003-07:00

I drove to the sovereign nation of Barona for a two-day meeting. What an awesome drive! The desert scrub, the sand dunes, the boulders, the mountains...every 30 miles it seemed like I'd ventured into a new world.

Closer to San Diego I saw the Jacaranda trees in bloom. I don't recall seeing them in bloom on any of my many trips to southern California, but I'm not sure that I've ever been to there when they bloomed.

Lightning Bugs

2009-05-31T17:07:00.004-07:00

Things I miss about southwestern Pennsylvania (in no particular order).

#1 Lightning bugs

Lightning bugs were a fixture of warm summer nights. I remember evenings when the glitter of lightning bugs winking in the trees turned even the most bland backyard into Mother Nature's Christmas tree display. Lightning bugs thrive in warm, humid weather which means you do not see them in southern Arizona.

Rain!

2009-05-22T22:47:00.003-07:00

Tucson has had some rain the past two and a half days. This is the first time it's rained since at least early March. We needed it. Yesterday we supposedly broke a record for the most rain that fell on that day (0.5 inches) since they've been keeping track of such things. Fortunately, it didn't dump on us all at once, but instead rained steady all day. I actually saw a few puddles of water in the "river."

Of course, all this rain meant that roofs all over Tucson were leaking since Roofing 101 seems to be lacking from the education of local construction crews. Why worry about rain drainage when it only rains 6 or 7 times a year?

Weather forecasters are calling for an early and wetter than normal monsoon this year. That should make for a great spring flowering season NEXT year.

Five itty-bitty baby quail

2009-05-17T23:01:00.002-07:00

That's all. I counted only five of the little fluff balls scurrying around. There probably were more, but we're already down to five--at least with this brood.

Coyote in the fountain

2009-05-17T22:55:00.003-07:00

I guess if you needed proof that it's been a long time since it rained, seeing a coyote drinking out of your water fountain might be just the evidence you were looking for.

Today, a coyote jumped onto my low wall that separates the yard from the common area. (See photo.) He cautiously looked around while he (or she) tried to figure out the best way to drink from it. He didn't stay long--just long enough to get a few decent sized slurps of water. I didn't capture him on film, but this is the fountain. (Stone Cactus Fountains )

Black-headed Grosbeak

2009-05-12T23:06:00.002-07:00

Black-headed Grosbeaks usually live in habitats above 3,500 feet in elevation. However, they occasionally venture into the lower elevations. Right now, they are being seen all over Tucson! I've had at least one visiting my seed feeder for about two weeks. He's a bit bossy. When he's hanging on the feeder he likes to peck the other birds away. Supposedly, these guys like water so I have no idea what they're doing in the desert!

And you thought you were in pretty good shape...

2009-05-11T21:42:00.004-07:00

Greg Hansen Sunday Notebook (Arizona Daily Star) wrote the following:

Ultramarathon runner Reed never ceases to be amazing

Pam Reed is 48 now. She has run through Death Valley in 120 degrees, without stopping, for almost two days. She has run 300 miles, without sleep, over 80 hours on a remote road near Eloy. She has run the Boston Marathon backward and then in regular fashion on the same day.

Reed has been Tucson's toughest, most unshakable athlete for years. I suspected she would never be able make me raise an eyebrow again. All of the toughies have been conquered.

But two weeks ago in Flushing, N.Y., in the Self-Transcendence Six-Day Race, the director of the Tucson Marathon ran 490 miles. Here's Reed's daily mileages, in order: 103, 77, 76, 78, 76, 80. Only one woman ran farther over the six-day period.

Reed remains in a class by herself, 105 pounds of toughness, approaching 50 as if she just turned 19. Amazing.

Western Tanager

2009-05-10T22:14:00.002-07:00

I saw a Western Tanager flitting around in the back yards today. That's a first for me!

Note: If you're reading this on Facebook, click here for the original post with pictures!

Saguaros in bloom

2009-05-03T23:26:00.004-07:00

Buds start to appear on the arms and top of the stately Saguaro in mid-April.

When the buds finally explode into blossom, bees, bats and birds have a feast.

Note: If you're reading this on Facebook, click here for the original post with pictures!

Oriole sighting!!

2009-04-22T07:53:00.002-07:00

I saw my first hooded oriole (male) of the season in the neighbor's pepper tree. He didn't come to the hummingbird feeder, but hopefully I'll see him again tomorrow.

The Mafia birds return

2009-04-20T21:07:00.006-07:00

The Mafia birds a.k.a. white-winged doves returned last week. It's hard to believe that a bird would consider Arizona its summer hang-out, but these birds disappear from Arizona in the fall, and arrive about the time Saguaro seeds are back on the menu.

They're bullies at the bird feeder (hence my nick-name for them). They also like to stick their butts in my water fountain creating their own bird bidet.

Note: If you're reading this on Facebook, click here for the original post with pictures!

Daffodil(s)

2009-03-27T23:24:00.006-07:00

I've always planted daffodils at every place I've ever called home. Clearly, I've only had limited success with them in the desert. My lone bloom didn't emerge until the end of March which is about a month after they're supposed to bloom--or so I've been told.

The good news is that the javelina left it alone!

Note: If you're reading this on Facebook, click here for the original post with pictures!

Zodiacal Light

2009-03-20T23:39:00.002-07:00

On the drive from Sedona to Flagstaff I saw the zodiacal light. If I hadn't just read about it in the local astronomy column the runs in the Arizona Daily Star, I'm sure I would have mistaken it for a moonrise or city lights. However, it was hours away from the moonrise, and there are definitely NO city lights on that drive. This is the time of year when you can see it in the west about two hours after sundown. That is if you're lucky enough to be somewhere without light pollution and clouds. How cool!

Grand Canyon

2009-03-15T23:45:00.002-07:00

As beautiful as ever.

My best side. (I won't speak for Carol.)

This is a Canyon perspective you don't often see. With all of the pine forest around, you don't realize the Canyon is there until you're right on top of it. I wouldn't want to be walking around at night without a good flashlight!

Sedona

2009-03-14T23:28:00.002-07:00

Drove Carol O'Donnell up to see Sedona. Got stuck behind a 6-car pile up (actually two 3-car pile-ups) on 10 so we got there later than we'd hoped. The town of Sedona is finishing up a huge road construction project that widened the main road through town and added rotaries. The traffic flow is much better since the last time I was there. Without traffic lights, there's nothing to obstruct a gorgeous view like this one of Courthouse Butte.

Only had time for a few galleries. Bought a glass piece for the "gallery wall."

Coyote spotting

2009-03-11T20:01:00.002-07:00

I saw a coyote trotting down the back of the lot next to the privacy wall in the area we call the Javalina Highway. Of course, javalina aren't the only creatures who travel down this highway. I've also seen a bobcat walk through there. And now a coyote. (Coyotes always give you a double-take because at first glance you think they're a dog.)

Considering all of the cacti, palo verde, octotillo and other thorny plants that grow back there (almost everything that grows in the desert has thorns), I'm always amazed how quickly the critters travel the highway.

Cactus wren nest

2009-03-08T21:29:00.003-07:00

I watched a cactus wren build a nest in the yucca tree last week.

I've seen a cactus wren eating at the feeders, but I have not seen one back on the nest since it was built. I hope she comes back!

Fairy Dusters

2009-03-08T20:33:00.002-07:00

Pink and red Fairy Dusters reached their zenith last week. According to the people who track these things, this is NOT a good year for wildflowers because of the sporadic rain last fall. However, I'm amazed at how the Sonoran desert has sprung to life with so many colorful flower displays.

No daylight saving for AZ

2009-03-07T23:16:00.006-07:00

Arizona exists in its own time zone. While the other 47 states in the continental U.S. move ahead one hour for daylight saving time, Arizona stubbornly refuses to switch. Hawaii doesn't spring ahead either, but it's so far detached from the mainland that not setting the clocks ahead one hour doesn't have the same impact as living part of the year in Mountain time and most of the year in Pacific time.

The "reasons" the locals give for not switching range from hilarious (the farmers prefer it) to pathetic (it's cooler this way).

First, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas are real farming states. They manage to cope with daylight saving.

Second, it's NOT cooler this way. I have no idea what math they use to make this one add up because the day itself doesn't change, only how the day is measured. Besides, Arizona doesn't have a monopoly on hot, sweltering days. It gets hot in Nevada, Utah and the South and Midwest have both heat AND sweltering humidity.

Besides, without daylight saving it starts to get light close to the uncivilized hour of 4:00 AM in the morning about mid-June.

And therein lies the answer to why Arizona does not follow daylight saving. Most Arizonans are in bed by 9:00 PM. With daylight saving, it stays lighter longer, and the locals would have to acknowledge that they go to bed at a time more suited for 9-year-olds than adults.

Golden Gate Trail - Found!

2009-03-01T22:34:00.001-07:00

A desert forsythia

2009-02-23T22:38:00.007-07:00

Blooming forsythia were always one of the first signs of spring back in the 'burgh. The bush was so hardy even I could grow it. Every year, the forsythia that grew along the side of the house served as a bird condo as two or three different bird families made their nests in its protective branches. One of those bushes always housed a nest of cardinals, and I often wondered if it was the same family returning every year.

Forsythia doesn't grow in the desert, but desert cassia reminds me of it. It started to bloom in early February, and now it's in full bloom all over Tucson. The added bonus? Unlike forsythia which has no scent, desert cassia smells wonderful!

More spring in the desert

2009-02-23T22:25:00.004-07:00

I first spotted a few these blooming Globemallows back in January. The mild winter rains brought them back to life. As the days and nights get warmer, more of them are springing back to life.

Galen is now afraid of my feet

2009-02-17T23:26:00.004-07:00

I was stretching today--one of those deep stretches that pulls my leg up over my head. On the descent, I beaked Galen pretty good. He's now afraid of my feet. When he sees my socked foot, he scampers away like he's being chased by the vacuum cleaner. Psycho cat. Now I'll have to condition him not to be afraid of my feet.

A Cardinal with a bit of salsa

2009-02-15T22:52:00.007-07:00

NOTE: The video quality is not good. I have no idea how that white streak down the center of the frame got recorded. No doubt, it's some glare the camera lens picked up.

However, the sound is good and that's what I really wanted to record. I recorded this in my backyard.

I've never heard a cardinal sound quite like this before. The first part of his call sounds normal, but then there's a bit of chattering to it at the end. A cardinal with a bit of salsa?

This MIGHT be a Pyrrhuloxia --a western close relative of the cardinal. I have both in the area, but I had seen the cardinals at the feeder earlier in the day.

UPDATE 5/31/2009 - This is DEFINITELY a cardinal. I've actually seen him several times while he's been singing his unique blend of salsa. He's the only cardinal I've heard like this!

Looking for the Golden Gate Trail

2009-02-14T23:03:00.001-07:00

I had planned to hike the Golden Gate Trail today. However, I ended up making a wrong turn which isn't hard to do with all of the bike/horse paths in the Tucson mountains. I ended up bushwhacking it quite a bit of the way. The Golden Gate Trail will have to wait for another day.

I do NOT miss the snow

2009-02-10T22:57:00.009-07:00

I'm in Denver right now, and it's cold and gray. The Rockies are snow-capped now as they are much of the year. Although they're majestic, I prefer the mountains surrounding Tucson. Our five ranges are much closer to the city. You feel like you can almost reach out and touch them. Besides, the Rincons had snow on them too when I left.

Denver doesn't usually get a lot of snow, but it snowed a bit this evening--the first kind of snow. It was enough to realize that I do NOT miss it. Not one little bit.

Brrr, I'm be glad to be headed back to sunshine. Two days of winter this year was enough for me!

Why send sunshine?

2009-02-04T23:09:00.001-07:00

I was looking through greeting cards today. Perusing pithy sentiments is usually a deplorable chore, but a friend had just gone through a trying 48 hours and she likes cards. So there I was plucking cards from the "Thinking of You" section. (It's always placed over the "Sympathy" cards and next to the "Get Well" cards.

My dilemma? Apparently the Greeting Card Writers' Guild requires that all "Thinking of You" cards mention sunshine, sunny skies, chasing clouds, yadda, yadda, etc., etc.

All right. I agree with the idea in principle. Sunshine = Happiness. But I couldn't bring myself to buy a card that expressed a hope for sunny days to give to someone who lives in TUCSON. It's almost ALWAYS sunny here.

I bought a little note pad instead.

Londo defying the laws of physics

2009-02-03T23:00:00.003-07:00

This is the mail basket--the catch-all collector of invoices and statements that require attention after the dead-tree variety of junk mail is discarded.

Every couple of weeks, I make my way to the bottom of the basket filing and sorting as I go. Somehow Londo managed to cram himself into the basket no doubt defying at least one law of physics.

The Steelers win the Superbowl! I win the bet!

2009-02-02T21:33:00.005-07:00

Ty Druse, the Education Director of Pima Medical Institute is one of the only football fans in Tucson. I made a bet with him that if the Cardinals won the Superbowl, I'd wear a Cardinals jersey for a day. If the Steelers won the Superbowl, he'd have to wear a Terrible Towel.

He was a good sport about losing. Ty decided the Terrible Towel looked better over shorts. I think the dark shoes and socks really complete the outfit.

Unfortunately, this didn't pack as much punch as I'd hoped it would since I had to explain what the 'yellow and black' towel meant to most people who saw it. As I said, this is not a football town...

6:00 AM is early - except in Tucson

2009-02-01T21:34:00.006-07:00

A Gatorade commercial that aired in tonight's Superbowl XLIII includes the line, "It's what gets you up at 6:00 AM when no one else is awake..."

The average Tucsonan is up long before 6:00 AM, and they find it hard to believe that the rest of the country might find that time ungodly. For a night owl like me, it's hell.

Spring in the desert

2009-01-31T23:56:00.002-07:00

It's January, and there are clear signs of spring in the desert. These ocotillo in Saguaro National Park are starting to bloom. Not all ocotillo are blossoming yet. but it's clear that the desert is starting to wake up from its winter slumber.

Wasson Peak

2009-01-25T22:32:00.008-07:00

Where: Tucson, AZ

Trail: Wasson Peak: King Canyon Trail in Saguaro National Park (West) in the Tucson Mountains. 7.1 miles, 1939-foot elevation change. Peak 4687 feet.

When: January 25, 2009

Weather: Bright and sunny with temperatures in the low 70s.

Birds of note: Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (first sighting)

Trail notes: After climbing for 2 ½ hours, you would hope to reach the summit and find some spectacular views, restful respite, and peaceful solitude. But no. At the peak was a hiking group (yackers). Were the yackers discussing the view? Nope. Here's a one minute sampling that I recorded. (No people appear to protect the guilty!)

Merlin

2009-01-23T23:46:00.002-07:00

It was eerily quiet and deathly still. No birds were chattering in the trees and none were fluttering at the feeders. I knew there was a bird of prey in the yard.

A quick peak out a few windows, and I spotted the predator. (This house must be like a fast food restaurant for a hawk.) He (or she) perched on the tree branch right outside of the dining room for at least a couple of minutes--long enough for me to identify this guy as a Merlin.

Evening rainbow

2009-01-23T23:18:00.004-07:00

The past few days have been rainy. On my drive home this evening, the setting sun burst through the clouds as it sank lower in the western sky. I immediately started looking for a rainbow, and found not one but two! One was very bright. The second less so.

The bright one contrasted enough to capture.

The search for Brick cheese

2009-01-21T22:45:00.006-07:00

There's no Brick cheese in Tucson. At least I can't find any. Back in the 'burgh you could buy Brick cheese freshly sliced from the deli or not-so-freshly sliced and packaged from Kraft. But there's none to be found here.

I've checked several Safeways, and Albertsons. I even asked a few people who work at the deli.

"Do you have Brick cheese?"
"A brick of cheese?"
"No, Brick cheese."

No one's heard of it.

I've asked around the office. No one there has heard of it either. How odd.

You can buy Havarti cheese which is a close substitute albeit a bit smokier, but you could get that back in the 'burgh I'll check for Brick cheese the next time I'm in Phoenix. Maybe it's just not a "Tucson thing."

Vermilion Flycatcher

2009-01-19T22:23:00.004-07:00

I was taking a lunch time stroll 'around the block' last week when I saw my first Vermilion Flycatcher perched on a fence near the high school.

From a distance I thought he was a cardinal, but as I watched him dive bomb for bugs, I knew it wasn't. I got to watch him for a couple of minutes before I finally continued on my way. He was a BRIGHT red. :-)

Brown Mountain Trail

2009-01-18T23:29:00.002-07:00

Where: Tucson, AZ

Trail: Brown Mountain Trail in Tucson Mountain Park in the Tucson Mountains (where else?) west of Tucson. (Panorama View)

When: January 19, 2009

Weather: Bright and sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s.

Trail notes: I saw more signs of spring. A few lizards skittered across my path so the warmer days and probably more importantly the warmer nights have stirred them from their slumber. Instead of just two or three Sleepy Orange butterflies, I probably saw close to a dozen.

On this trip, I hiked up to the further peak. Kinney Road runs near this trail so unfortunately, there's always plenty of highway noise. The desert has a way of amplifying sound. On the way back down the western side, the late afternoon light colored the rocks in hues of rose and orange.

Random notes: I rode my motorcycle. Lots of other bikers were out riding today too! Gotta love those Arizona winters!