Tales from Tucson!

Found out the other day that we have a 'northern' mocking bird visiting--or at least passing through. I hear him or her (or maybe one of each?) in the morning first thing, their calls intricate and varied. I had to look up their sounds on the internet to truly figure it out--the quote I got was "if you hear several different birds that you can't identify, more than likely you have a northern mockingbird."

When he flew and I saw the white patches on his wings I knew he was not a curved bill thrasher which is what I originally thought, since they also have a varied repertoire.

My husband has been on a pack rat tear after another $1500 charge for car damage. They invade our garage and the car we leave outside despite leaving lights on all night long. My car had a terrible smell and when I took it in they found a nest which they removed--luckily no damage this time! So Jim has been placing haveahart traps around--(pack rats are nocturnal) and we've caught two so far and relocated them into the desert behind our house. Apparently they like cactus and so we released them into a clump of prickly pears in hopes that they will build another midden and enjoy the solitude of the desert. They reproduce at alarming rates and are the favorite food of owls and coyotes. I wrote an earlier post about them and how long they've been around--Pleistocene era--astounding! They're cute and I wondered about taming them until I remembered they were nocturnal!

We have had a ton of rain this year so far--nearly an inch just yesterday. El Nino? I wonder why California hasn't benefitted from this weather pattern. Everything is green and happy except for the poppies which were in short supply this summer. Maybe they need to be stressed to grow?

I love the cooler weather which allows me to pick and choose when to go for a walk instead of getting up before dawn. Buddha is happier too and leaps for joy when he goes outside. As you can see he likes to read.

Thanks for reading!

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.

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!