The Javelinas are back!

Haven't written for a long while mostly because there has been little animal life to report on, despite the warm sunny days and cool clear nights. But a week or so ago the coyotes began their nightly forays into our area. One night we had a lone one very close. I heard him or her calling--a few dog-like barks followed up with an eerie howl that went from low to impossibly high. In the far distance I heard the call answered. And the same night a pack came very close to the house.

Last night at around ten, I heard what sounded like dogs lapping water out of my water-lily bowl outside my bathroom window. When I went to investigate I saw six javelina of varying sizes crowded around drinking. The moon was very bright giving me a clear view of them as they ambled across the driveway to nibble birdseeds left on the ground under the feeder. After that they all went to  investigate the compost pile. This morning the papaya skins and other vegetables are gone.

I had despaired of seeing them again since it's been months since they've been around. Creatures are waking up, or should I say on the move? There were no tiny babies with this group but some seemed small enough to be last year's babies. Oh what I would give to have a family come by with the tiny ones!

On a sad note, I found a dead hummingbird yesterday. It was a broad-billed male, I think. I worried that somehow I'd caused its death with chlorinated hummingbird water but realized this was not so. For one thing I don't smell any chlorine in our water and I'm very sensitive to it and would know...also feeder had been up for a few days. I took both feeders down and re-filled just in case. If left up too long the water can produce a sort of mold that will kill the tiny birds. I tried to call Audubon but they had gone home for the day.

I read on line that hummingbirds are all about two hours away from death! This because their metabolisms need replenishment constantly. Its amazing how they migrate. This one may have been on the move and simply couldn't keep going. I've noticed some frantic activity around the feeders the past few days. Also Gila Woodpecker has been drinking them dry!

I've noticed wildflowers coming up in the desert behind us. Spring is definitely on the way!

Home is where the Javelinas are

We left Tucson for seven weeks this year--leaving like cowards when the weather became too hot. I forgive us though, after hearing about temps that stayed above 100* for over a month! (hopefully we are beyond that possibility now) In Portland we stayed in an RV park for five weeks, enjoying cooler temps and trips to the river where Buddha could swim. I have to  admit that when we left Tucson in June I thought seriously about moving back to Portland. Mostly this was due to feeling isolated here and Jim's asthma, the causes of which we still aren't clear about. It was only two weeks before the traffic, noise and bustle of the city began to grate on my nerves. I love having wonderful grocery stores and gourmet restaurants around every corner, but my inner peace had been shattered. We left Portland on July 24th, visiting family as we headed down the California coast. And as we traveled I realized why we moved here. The traffic was clogged everywhere we went--accidents, smog, and angry drivers in a hurry.

Our first week home was a delight, with cool temps, gray skies and the threat of rain. We haven't had much of a monsoon season this year from what I've heard. I hope there's still a chance for a good storm. Although we haven't seen them, the javelinas have been coming to the compost pile every night. Around dusk two nights ago I heard Buddha barking and barking up on the hill behind the house and when I called him and went to investigate, a javelina streaked across the state land on the other side of our road. Luckily the guy didn't want to tangle with Buddha.

Costas

The hummingbirds are fighting over the two feeders. I've seen several different varieties. The Costa's:

and the Broad tailed featured below, as well as Annas and another as yet unidentified one. The trouble is the females and males can look very different as well as being different sizes! Right now there seems to be a feeding frenzy going on.

The fruit bats who came last year to partake of the sugar water have been strangely absent. I miss their nightly forays, the dark shapes flying out from under the porch roof when I turned on the lights...also the smaller insect eating bats haven't been around. 

I have yet to hear the coyotes but I remember this from last year--I assume that they are raising their young and will take them out hunting when they're old enough. It makes me smile to hear their high-pitched yips when they run with the pack the first few times. 

Once again the peace of this place has entered my heart. I'm glad to be home.

Spring!!!!

Spring seems to have sprung! Walking through the desert I've been astounded to see leaves bursting out on the trees, all the Ocotillo's in full leaf...this is after examining them for the past month or so for buds. That is not what happens here--instead of bursting buds the trees go from looking completely dead to leaves within a day or two. Wildflowers, in various colors and sizes, dot the landscape like bright gems. The angle of the sun has changed--I can see the goddess in the mountain once again.

We've had the same old javelina several nights in a row and sometimes he's still here in the early morning. He finished off the block of seeds I put out for the quail and doves--I could hear him gnawing on it. Of course with the full moon other animals have been coming around as well--this morning I heard a gunshot from our neighbor who called a few minutes later to tell me it was a warning shot to scare off a scruffy mountain lion. I wondered why our cat and dog were so subdued this morning and no birds at the feeders! He said that right after the lion he saw a beautiful coyote coming across our land to the north...I've seen this male before and he's truly a magnificent specimen.

The way our house is situated we have missed the bobcat and mountain lion sightings and because of the wall around our back yard we don't always see the roadrunners. But the cat and dog are safe there and they know it. A few nights ago a pack of coyotes were very close to the house and Buddha managed to howl, which they answered. I couldn't see them, which was frustrating. It sounded like an enormous group but from what I've read they throw their voices. During these past few months their calls have changed, turning into more haunting high-pitched cries mixed in with the normal yipping that goes on. I have  deduced that the babies from last year are now traveling in the pack and making these different sounds. It's really funny how they all shut up at once, as though the leader holds up a paw signaling quiet.

Along with the Costas, Annas and Black-chinned, we've had several new species of hummingbirds coming to the feeders--don't know if they're traveling through or summer residents. They've been hard to identify. Quail are pairing up. But unfortunately they won't be able to nest in our yard again since we've redone it, taking out the planter boxes AND we now have a cat that hunts.

We will enjoy the gorgeous weather until it grows too hot and then I plan to take a trip up to the Pacific northwest, getting out of here for the month of June which is purported to be the hottest one!

Winter in the desert

I can't believe it was September the last time I posted! Guess the change in weather has kept me out of doors more, with less time on my hands!

These fall/winter months have been perfect, with low sleeping temps at night (high 40's to low 50's) and high 60's to low 70's during the day. Wildlife patterns have changed drastically, with no snakes in sight! I've also not seen our Gila monster or any of the other lizards that were hanging around. Bird life comes and goes. We're down to two kinds of hummingbirds--black-chinned and I think, Annas. The finches are turning yellow and devouring the thistle. I try to stay up with the feeders as well as sprinkling seeds along our back wall for the quail and other ground feeders. Of course the doves are plentiful! We still have the roadrunner pair hanging around but I don't see them as often--I've been putting some dog food on the other side of the wall for them...I know, I shouldn't because it attracts more unsavory creatures, but...Our cactus fountain has turned out to be a huge success for all the birds!

Bugs are nearly gone although a few bees hang on--I have a bee trap outside because we've had two infestations of africanized honey bees--Jim is allergic. Flies are nearly gone but we did have to break down and buy a fly swatter.

It's wonderful to go for a walk at any time of the day--Jim and I took a long one on Saturday, following a narrow trail leading to the Catalinas. Didn't make it that far but we have plans to carry our lunch and more water and make a day trip out of it--must find out where the petroglyphs are....sunsets are beautiful but we need sweaters to watch them. No more drinking wine out on the back patio! We even broke down and bought some wood...looking forward to our first fire. We may even have a fire outside on the longest night of the year to bring back the light!

On another note, Buddha (standard poodle) has been punky for several days and I had him tested for valley fever. His symptoms include lethargy, lackluster interest in food--even chicken and rice--some diarrhea and intermittent lameness when on longer walks. The leg issues may be unrelated but at this point I'm hoping the diagnosis is valley fever. It's treatable and if it isn't that, I'm at a loss!

Christmas is low key out here where the sun shines so much--haven't bought a tree as yet. But grandchildren will be here on monday and they love to trim it!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a light-filled Solstice to everyone!