tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81534991529687193672024-03-13T03:03:44.751-07:00In the Sonoran SunThe Sonoran Desert encompasses a large portion of Arizona as well as the western side of the state of Sonora in Mexico and most of the Baja penninsula. I am fortunate to live in this unique ecosystem and I hope to share some of its beauty and fascinating creatures with you.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
– John Muir
Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-42401875774554348942018-06-05T13:30:00.001-07:002018-06-05T13:30:45.896-07:00Forest Bathing (or . . Tracking the Trogon)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />“In Japan, we practice something called forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses. This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging.”<br /><br />My friend, Marilyn, and I often go hiking, with a specific goal, miles to cover, a trail to be checked off. Depending on the season, that could mean Wasson Peak or Mt. Lemmon, perhaps the Ventana Canyon Trail or the Javelina Loop in the Tortolitas. But this time it was about ‘forest bathing’ in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. And, oh, if we just happened to see the elegant trogon, so much the better!<br /><br />The elegant trogon is highly sought after by birders, a rare species in the U.S. that can only be seen in a few southwestern locations. Many make the trek from the world over to Madera Canyon in pursuit of this beautiful bird, often leaving disappointed. As Marilyn and I had both seen the trogon in times past, there was no pressure to find this forest gem. But still . . .<br /><br />Instead, we were going for the pure pleasure of being in the trees, to feel the cool and gentle breeze blowing through the pines, to smell the clean mountain air, to listen to the quiet and be mesmerized by the fluttering of colorful butterflies. We ambled up the trail, stopping often to see an elusive warbler, to watch a scampering lizard, to chat with a fellow birder, to catch sight of a little brown creeper spiraling his way up a big tree trunk, and to marvel at the mighty sycamores. <br /><br />Little pools of water persisted in the ephemeral creek, and nearby many bird species vied for our attention, or maybe that of potential mates. We were surprised at the number of butterflies – so many Arizona sisters, mourning cloaks, red-spotted purples, yellow sulphurs, and tiny blues. Yellow columbine bloomed along the creek bed and red paintbrush on the drier hillside. The odd barking call of the elegant trogon teased us all along the trail, now sounding nearer, now farther away. Just ahead of us a birder spotted two trogons, but she watched them fly out of sight before we could arrive. Sigh! <br /><br />On the way back down the trail, crashing sounds in the forest signaled a big mammal, and, sure enough, a white-tailed deer emerged and spotted us too. We gazed at one another for a few moments. She seemed to be alone. Soon, the call of the elegant trogon could be heard again. We had almost resigned ourselves to not seeing the trogon this trip, and that was okay. But, the call got louder and louder, until finally we knew he had to be nearby. I scanned the trees just above us and there he was, right out in the open, not 20’ away! While he preened and called, we enjoyed the wonderful view and took many photos. <br /><br />Elegant trogons (<i>Trogon elegans</i>) are medium-sized, stocky, potbellied birds. They are larger than a robin, with a large, round head, a thick neck, large eyes, and a short, stout bill. Trogons perch upright with their long square-tipped tails pointing straight down. Males are brilliantly colored, with coppery-green upper parts and a rose-red belly. A white band crosses the breast, the underside of the tail is barred, and the face and throat are black. Trogons are omnivores, consuming both insects and fruit. Woodpecker-created cavities serve as nesting sites. They are known to nest in four mountain canyons in southern Arizona. If you've never seen the trogon, I urge you to do so. It's a distinctly southern Arizona treat!<br /><br />After giving such great looks, the male flew off, out of sight, leaving two happy birders and forest-bathers. Now, if we could just see the red-faced warbler . . . or how about the blue grosbeak!<br /><br />Ah, well, we’re saving those for our next forest-bathing experience. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Elegant_Trogon/id">Read more about the elegant trogon</a>. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2018/04/04/599135342/suffering-from-nature-deficit-disorder-try-forest-bathing">Read more about forest bathing</a>. <br /><br /></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-52791280154466277442017-05-28T16:24:00.003-07:002017-05-28T16:24:47.036-07:00A Visit to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It is becoming increasingly
important that we communicate to the public the reasons that we have wildlife
in captivity. A vital part of that story is giving a home to animals that have
been injured or mistreated and cannot be returned to the wild. We were
privileged this past week to visit one of the Desert Museum's sources for just
such animals - The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in far northeastern
Scottsdale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In business for over 20 years, the
center began with one injured coyote taken in by Linda Searles, the founder and
Executive Director, and has grown into the 10-acre operation of today with over
100 rescued animals. If the animals can be rehabilitated and returned to the
wild, they are kept in a separate area from those who cannot. The center is
very careful to not allow those animals to become habituated to or imprinted on
humans, so contact with them is strictly limited. The animals that we observed
were those which can never return to the wild and are given sanctuary at the
center. The reasons for that range from permanent injuries, mistreatment, being
kept illegally, habituation to humans, given a death sentence (3-strike bears,
wolves condemned for preying on livestock), etc. The center works closely with
Arizona Game and Fish Department on rescues and confiscations. They have a
small paid staff, a large contingent of volunteers and several contract
veterinarians. A recent addition is the new veterinary center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The center's mission is . . . </span></div>
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Southwest Wildlife rescues and
rehabilitates wildlife that has been injured, displaced, and orphaned. Once
rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild. Wildlife education includes
advice on living with wildlife and the importance of native wildlife to healthy
ecosystems. Educational and humane scientific research opportunities are
offered in the field of conservation medicine. Sanctuary is provided to
animals that cannot be released back to the wild.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The animals we visited included
Mexican gray wolves, foxes, coyotes, a large sulcata tortoise, mountain lions,
bobcats, javelina, white-tailed deer, black bears, coatis, and one
leopard-jaguar hybrid. Each one had an interesting, mostly heartbreaking story
to tell, as related to us by our <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">volunteer tour leader, Tara. Black bears whose mothers had been shot as a result of being habituated to humans; Leo, the leopard/jaguar hybrid who was bred for the entertainment industry and then sold to a roadside "zoo" in Douglas, Arizona; a mountain lion who was kept illegally as a pet (seriously?!). Our black bear, Strawberry, came from SWCC as did one of our coyotes and one of the beavers. Sometimes the animals go the other way, as in the case of three kit foxes, the Pepper Brothers - Chili, Hatch and Jalapeño, who were sent to SWCC by the Desert Museum.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-Ni3EQW4_mX_hbQSW1ZmTADk6k-l9_bT9Q1FIVEgGvWw4IniZcmMDCaBYUsihAFc1Wy7p1q7Hphoap3BKqgMa3sQw6PD-sNq2FWHKb4R3qEiaaRIZUFkOeJWHCTai2PBbX_XZxQ8f6E/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-Ni3EQW4_mX_hbQSW1ZmTADk6k-l9_bT9Q1FIVEgGvWw4IniZcmMDCaBYUsihAFc1Wy7p1q7Hphoap3BKqgMa3sQw6PD-sNq2FWHKb4R3qEiaaRIZUFkOeJWHCTai2PBbX_XZxQ8f6E/s640/IMG_2500.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Leo</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The center depends wholly on
donations and tour revenue for its financial support. That revenue stream was
severely curtailed in the last couple of years as a result of a new neighbor.
As far out in the desert as this location seems, houses are quite close to
them. They prided themselves on their good relations with their neighbors. But
that was shattered when a new neighbor moved in and promptly filed a zoning
complaint against the center, saying that they did not have the proper zoning
to be conducting tours for the public. And he was right. They had to
immediately cease giving tours. That financial blow was compounded by further
legal action by this neighbor over noise (coyotes and wolf howls!) and dust
complaints. Late last fall, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors granted SWCC a
Special Use Permit, allowing for the resumption of tours and school group
visits. This was good news, but the conflict with the neighbor continues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">See
the video of the black bears having a snack.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I believe that all of the docents
who visited the center were quite impressed with the facilities and with the
dedication of the staff and volunteers to the welfare and well-being of the
animal population. The center's website contains extensive information about
the animals, the history, the legal battles, education programs and the
philosophy of SWCC. ASDM is fortunate to have this resource, and so are the
animals who depend on it for their existence. Check out this link to the </span><a href="https://www.southwestwildlife.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> and read
about all their programs.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-14454505415324171082017-05-24T16:49:00.000-07:002017-05-24T16:49:22.471-07:00Mobbing Behavior in Birds
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One Friday at the Desert Museum, another docent and I separately witnessed an interesting interaction
between a raven and a smaller raptor, most likely an accipiter (Cooper’s hawk
or sharp-shinned hawk). The larger bird was harassing the smaller
one. It’s more common to see small birds attacking or harassing a larger
raptor. This behavior is known as mobbing, and, although it’s most
frequently seen in birds, other animal species use similar tactics.<br />
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Mobbing is an antipredator technique used by a prey species against a
predator, most commonly to protect their offspring. The goal of the prey
species is to drive the predator from a nest, breeding territory or
non-breeding home range, or even a food source. Mobbing takes place most
often in the spring, coinciding with breeding and nesting. Sometimes mobbing is
employed to distract and steal food from another bird. Another important
function of mobbing is to teach younger birds to distinguish friends from foes.
A recent study indicates that mobbing may also give male birds the chance to
show off their physical qualities to impress females. <br />
<br />
<br />
The most common targets of mobbing include hawks, eagles, crows, ravens,
herons, and owls. Those doing the mobbing (mobsters?) include chickadees,
titmice, kingbirds, blackbirds, grackles, jays, crows, ravens and even other
raptors. Mobbing behavior can include chasing, dive-bombing, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_DwJJlJupPYJY0t97vVufjuRLFm1rkeMUCBm0Un1d3SS6oVv84MN0snLFmTTrW7N1lChjRakAKrUaOMhwJBuDbAtZBjjPc_6HafykIRcAiq64kPsg8E7BJqkc3MFk_Q9ZGJR5HsRMTU/s1600/mobbing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_DwJJlJupPYJY0t97vVufjuRLFm1rkeMUCBm0Un1d3SS6oVv84MN0snLFmTTrW7N1lChjRakAKrUaOMhwJBuDbAtZBjjPc_6HafykIRcAiq64kPsg8E7BJqkc3MFk_Q9ZGJR5HsRMTU/s1600/mobbing1.jpg" /></a></div>
bumping,
loud squawking, defecating or vomiting on the predator, and may be done by a
single bird or a group. The loud calls often attract more birds of the
same species to join in on the harassment. <br />
<br />
<br />
Several years ago, I felt very lucky
when a great-horned owl chose one of my large trees in which to roost.
It wasn’t long, however, before I began to hear the incessant alarm calling of
a Cooper’s hawk. I discovered the Cooper’s hawk perching nearby and
constantly tormenting the owl. Eventually, the owl moved on to somewhere
more peaceful. The Cooper’s hawk, who had a nest not far away, had achieved her
goal, removing the predator from the area. In fact, one way to find
perching owls is to listen for the loud calls of mobbing birds. <br />
<br />
<br />
By its nature, mobbing by small birds of a large, dangerous predator seems
to be a courageous or foolhardy act. Researchers don’t completely
understand why predators don’t turn and snatch up one or two of the tormentors,
which would presumably put an eventual end to the behavior. Since mobbing
persists, it suggests that surprise is an essential element in raptor hunting. <br />
<br />
Next time you hear loud bird squawking, check the skies for some fascinating
bird behavior.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQriSM89_8JaiWrR5hZDEGMpFgP42rghZJOgqEDFMEe3hDG2__WMaqwiQUO39Ef1B_Y6sNXIo3tmOzth3yRmtKOf9RZdDZQ23NiRoAvj2Ys5J8z3pChyve1n1VSPBo8WsE8h0X-V3dPbes/s1600/mobbing4.jpg"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">References:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/sometimes-i-see-little-birds-going-after-a-big-bird-why-do-they-do-this/"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">All About Birds</span></span></a><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/sometimes-i-see-little-birds-going-after-a-big-bird-why-do-they-do-this/"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">: Mobbing Behavior</span></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobbing_%28animal_behavior%29"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">Mobbing Behavior: Wikipedia</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobbing_%28animal_behavior%29"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobbing_(animal_behavior)</span></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Mobbing.html"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">Stanford Birds - Mobbing</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170222105242.htm"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">Science Daily: Birds of a feather mob together</span></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/plants-animals/?cid=fsbdev2_038598"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/plants-animals/?cid=fsbdev2_038598</span></span></a><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-88914886865612771402017-05-10T12:09:00.000-07:002017-05-10T16:17:48.462-07:00Symbiosis<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><b></b></span></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfbjIr9zra_t0paW4F2zIIasRVtQPMyBfitdVFOScsh9MxgS7L-7D-TSEVL9OcPBJHSKoaB9BCOm0C5lm24pz4nnlbJELAfOImUVAoEGxX-31TwMM2fe_sNQT7s_xpjmhLGA0FVBFfkj/s1600/batsaguaro.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfbjIr9zra_t0paW4F2zIIasRVtQPMyBfitdVFOScsh9MxgS7L-7D-TSEVL9OcPBJHSKoaB9BCOm0C5lm24pz4nnlbJELAfOImUVAoEGxX-31TwMM2fe_sNQT7s_xpjmhLGA0FVBFfkj/s1600/batsaguaro.PNG" /></a><br /></h4>
<h4>
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Last week, fellow docents and I were having a conversation, prompted by a
question to one of them from a visitor, regarding the relationship between a
palo verde and a saguaro. It was obvious from our discussion that we
needed a review of symbiotic relationships!<br /><br />Symbiosis is defined as a relationship between two or more organisms that live closely together. There are three <b><i>main</i></b>
types of symbiosis: commensalism, mutualism and parasitism.
Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the
other is unaffected. Mutualism is a relationship in which both organisms
benefit. Parasitism is when one organism benefits and the other one is
harmed. To be successful, a symbiotic relationship requires a great deal
of balance. Even parasitism, where one partner is harmed, is balanced
so that the host lives long enough to allow the parasite to spread and
reproduce. <br /><br />These delicate relationships are the product of long
years of co-evolution. Bacteria were the first living things on the
planet, and all of Earth's other creatures have been living and evolving
with them for hundreds of millions of years. Today, microbes are
essential for many organisms' basic functions, including nourishment,
reproduction, and protection. <br /><br />So, back to the saguaro/palo verde
relationship. The visitor wanted to know, if the nurse tree was
benefitting the saguaro, what the payoff was for the palo verde? How
would you classify that? The saguaro benefits from the protection
provided by the palo verde. But, how about the palo verde? Most of the
time, their relationship is probably commensal - benefiting the saguaro
and causing no harm to the palo verde. However, in times of drought the
shallower root system of the saguaro may intercept most of the
rainfall. These two species would then be said to enter a type of
symbiosis known as <i>interspecific competition</i>. The saguaro could eventually hasten its nurse tree's death. <br /><br />There
are thousands (millions?) of symbiotic relationships in the Sonoran
Desert. Just take the saguaro, for example. Think of all the animals
that depend on the saguaro for food, or shelter. The saguaro, in turn,
depends on certain species to pollinate it, and to disperse its seeds.
Bees, bats and white-winged doves get a food reward, while doing the
important work of helping the saguaro to reproduce. <br /><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><b>Parasitism</b></span> - The desert mistletoe is an example of a parasitic symbiont that depends on its host, </span></h4>
<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVJNzZjvIUPLdYZzViToeYY_EndIsIghpy6M8MUJvEfmMALn3i8Cqx58ZZwKF0Z8YLRLPE01UM31lTTH8-9GyvR7Fi_D_dq8GeQjRBFrt1XGrSV8nhyphenhyphenq25wSkYCti6Zn6MILaVHYConZg/s1600/mistletoeberry.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVJNzZjvIUPLdYZzViToeYY_EndIsIghpy6M8MUJvEfmMALn3i8Cqx58ZZwKF0Z8YLRLPE01UM31lTTH8-9GyvR7Fi_D_dq8GeQjRBFrt1XGrSV8nhyphenhyphenq25wSkYCti6Zn6MILaVHYConZg/s320/mistletoeberry.jpg" width="320" /></a></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">usually
a legume tree, for nutrients. The host tree is harmed over time and
with heavy infestation of the mistletoe by the depletion of nutrients. </span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Other
common parasitic relationships include the coyote and the flea, or the
mange-causing mite. Female mites can burrow into the skin. Coyotes with
mange can lose their hair, which can make it difficult for them to
control their body temperatures. Mange must be extremely severe before
it disables a coyote. Most coyotes can survive with the disease for a
long time. The brown-headed cowbird parasitizes the nests of other
birds, called <i>brood parasitism</i>. The cowbird benefits by having
another bird raise its young, which are usually larger than the bird’s
own young and can out-compete them for food and space. <br /><br />Animals
are parasitized by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, flatworms
(tapeworms and flukes), nematodes, insects (fleas, lice), and arachnids
(mites). Plants are parasitized by viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes,
and a few other plants. <br /><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><b>Mutualism</b></span> - Examples of mutualism abound. Just think about flowers and their pollinators. That’s a <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAlBM6vRmRHvxQvzvLELrqBSWt1sCmk1b_1E3zzFrKZPya_l3YtIRt5LTdAZfjz6yyJHzi_RTWBsLXCYMmhjSLNjeAmJC1Rcc_nm_80s74JEOkOQGlEAbcXMW0xmbWPr7mENfC3ODkMQ8/s1600/flowerbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAlBM6vRmRHvxQvzvLELrqBSWt1sCmk1b_1E3zzFrKZPya_l3YtIRt5LTdAZfjz6yyJHzi_RTWBsLXCYMmhjSLNjeAmJC1Rcc_nm_80s74JEOkOQGlEAbcXMW0xmbWPr7mENfC3ODkMQ8/s320/flowerbee.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
win-win for both parties. Not all symbiotic relationships are visible
by humans. Take the bacteria that live in the guts of herbivores,
helping them to digest plant material, which is more difficult to digest
than animal prey. This gut flora is made up of cellulose-digesting
protozoans or bacteria living in the herbivores' intestines. Another
example is the bacteria that allow legumes to fix nitrogen in the soil,
living on nematodes on the plant roots. <br /><br /><span style="color: cyan;"><b>Commensalism</b></span>
- Commensal relationships may involve one organism using another for
transportation or for housing or it may also involve one organism using
something another created, left after its death (metabiosis). Examples
of metabiosis are hermit crabs using gastropod shells to protect their
bodies. Birds nesting in trees is a commensal relationship. Vines use
trees to reach up to the light, causing no harm to the tree (most of the
time!). Consider the packrat home and all the many critters that seek
shelter and food there.</span></h4>
<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4akyj1d7OzIyTCRjEsozkbbkLBmX0PlgliUNNNRalZWJzIp8XN4UU8YyPGNGNPt0F-cB7V-cqbIH7RFGI7Gw0p6WVmbs3H_bUoieThzZ3dbgsmDIk5E_V1RgBdyILrPJuGDxbz1_w-or5/s1600/gilasaguaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4akyj1d7OzIyTCRjEsozkbbkLBmX0PlgliUNNNRalZWJzIp8XN4UU8YyPGNGNPt0F-cB7V-cqbIH7RFGI7Gw0p6WVmbs3H_bUoieThzZ3dbgsmDIk5E_V1RgBdyILrPJuGDxbz1_w-or5/s320/gilasaguaro.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />Symbiosis can either be <b>obligate</b> or <b>facultative</b>
(optional). In obligate relationships, one organism cannot live
without the other. Perhaps one of the most well-known obligate
mutualistic relationships is that of the yucca moth and its host plant. <br /><br />The
yucca moth, also commonly called the pronuba moth, is a small white
moth that lives in the semi-arid habitats where yucca plants grow. The
yucca moth is well-known for its co-dependent relationship with the
yucca plant. The yucca moth’s larvae rely exclusively on the seeds of
the yucca plant as a primary food source, and the plant relies
exclusively on the yucca moth for pollination. One cannot exist without
the other, creating an obligate mutualism between the moth and the
plant. </span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">We
talk about Keystone Species - a plant or animal that plays a unique and
crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Without keystone
species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist
altogether. These are species on which so many other species are
dependent. Think about the saguaro, and prairie dog, and the many
different species for which they are so important. Another good example is the cottonwood tree and the many creatures that depend on
it. I’m sure you can think of many more relationships in biology, for I
haven’t begun to scratch the surface. I have discussed only the 3 main
types of symbiosis. There are many more, and perhaps those are topics
for another article.</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">We
do well to remember that in each of these types of symbiosis, few
situations are absolute. In most cases, there is a continuum of types
of interactions between species, rather than an exclusive category.</span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></h4>
Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-31521683668185412422016-11-29T13:56:00.000-07:002016-11-30T09:51:15.886-07:00Turning Down the NoiseThere are few ailments of the body and soul that cannot be soothed by a walk in nature. And, thus it was that post-election depression sent my like-minded friend and co-worker and I up into the Tucson Mountains for our annual trek to Wasson Peak. At 4687', Wasson Peak is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains on the west side of Tucson proper. While there are several ways to access the peak, the trail we chose this time was the Camino del Cerro, leading up the east side of the mountains, 9.6 miles round-trip. <br />
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The low elevation and lack of cover make this definitely a hike for the winter, and this November day proved to be a perfect time - a light cloud cover, temperatures in the 70's, and a few breezes. <br />
<br />
Leaving the trailhead parking lot, you immediately enter Saguaro National Park West. We had gone but perhaps a quarter of a mile when we spotted the first mule deer, and soon we encountered several more - 8 in total - watching us as we watched them. <br />
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Beautiful low-desert vegetation surrounded us - giant saguaro cactus, palo verde trees, ocotillo, prickly pear, barrel and cholla cactus. <br />
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As the trail rose in elevation, subtle changes occurred in the plant community. Sotol (desert spoon) and jojoba appeared and soon became abundant.<br />
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The trail was mercifully quiet on this Tuesday morning and we met only one other hiker before reaching the 'saddle', where trails converge and meet the final leg to the top. There it was time to have a brief rest and snack before tackling the steepest part of the trail.<br />
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Another 1.2 miles to the top and the legs were burning. But once there, what glorious 360° views of the entire valley! Such a fine spot for lunch, especially on this day of little wind. Several other hiking parties shared the space, mostly visitors from Canada. <br />
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Then it was time for the descent. Another 3 hours of peace and beauty, undisturbed by political discussion, the news, television, the too-often ugliness of real life. There were few flowers blooming after a long dry spell, but a few desert zinnias and purple filaree added color, as did the bright red fruit of the Christmas cholla and the beautiful yellow fruit of the barrel cactus. Bright neon green lichen decorated the north-facing rocks. We marveled at the glowing spines of the teddy bear cholla, which looks deceivingly cuddly. Lovely reddish tanglehead grass made a nice contrast to the brown and green palette. <br />
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Back at the trailhead parking lot, we were disturbed to see trash littering the ground all around the overflowing container, and cigarette butts everywhere. Yes, we're back in 'civilization'. Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-78232851016767229052016-05-11T08:19:00.000-07:002016-05-11T11:35:50.907-07:00Docent Diaries - An Update from the Desert MuseumTucson, Arizona<br />
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After a busy winter season, things are beginning to slow down at the Desert Museum.The heat is ramping up, getting ready for summer's blast. Out-of-town visitors find somewhere cooler to go. Afternoon tours are eliminated. Winter visitors are leaving town. The docent corps, too, is thinning out. But, for those of us who brave the warmer temps, things are always exciting at the Museum.<br />
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Our Cactus Garden has undergone a transformation in recent months and is now a stunning showcase for all things spiny. Friday docents give a tour every week of the garden, and visitors are fascinated by the shapes, colors and adaptations of cactus from the Sonoran Desert as well as more tropical locales farther south. I love giving these tours and last Friday I had six enthusiastic visitors learning about what is, and what is not, a cactus. <br />
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The cactus blooms were sort of in a lull, but there was this lovely, mounding Notocactus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notocactus</td></tr>
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And this Mexican night-blooming cereus, which was just starting to close after its nighttime shift. Interestingly, the one in my garden bloomed the same night, for the first time ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Night-Blooming Cereus</td></tr>
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Not to forget our amazing saguaro cacti that are still blooming full blast.<br />
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Friday is a popular day for school groups to visit the Museum. A good thing or a bad thing, depending on your point of view. As a docent, I love having the schoolkids come out, and I am especially happy when they are well-chaperoned and have been given learning assignments. After the Cactus Garden Tour, I was stationed in the Ethnobotany Garden and I had a group of high school girls who listened intently and asked great questions. First, I had to explain what <i>ethnobotany</i> is! Just a big word for how people use plants. They loved tasting the mesquite flower, and feeling the texture of the jojoba oil. <br />
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Near the People and Pollinators Garden is the Maze Garden where I found a gorgeous Desert Willow (<i>Chilopsis linearis)</i> covered in deep magenta flowers. This is not a true willow, but a member of the Bignonia family. Large, fragrant, orchid-like flowers cover the plants from April to August in a range of colors from white to this fuchsia color.<br />
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But my real mission was now down the path in the Big Horn Sheep area, where not one, but two, lambs have recently been born. There's no doubt that all babies are adorable, but these lambs take the cuteness factor to a whole new level. Within just days of birth they are scrambling up the steep cliff of the enclosure, bouncing and leaping all over. <br />
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The two ewes are mother and daughter. The lambs, one a ram and one a ewe, were born one month apart, first to the mother and then to the daughter. Playtime is followed by a crash - moms and babies find a spot in the shade to get some rest. Along with the visitors, I could watch these guys all day! We'll have the pleasure of watching them for another 8 months or so before the lambs are shipped off to another facility.<br />
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Time for lunch and our monthly potluck. There's always so many fun dishes to try, and oh! the desserts! This was a special one as we were honoring our day captains at the end of their tenure. Each docent day has two captains that serve for one or two years, doing the scheduling and keeping us docents in line. Sort of like herding cats. We are thankful that they are willing to do the job, which can be stressful and frustrating. I know. I've been there!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha, Rae, Carole, Marsie<br />
Outgoing captains Rae and Marsie, with incoming captain Martha, and me</td></tr>
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Animal handling is one of the great privileges and rewards of being a docent. Each year we choose the categories of animals we want to handle, and then go through training and certification on each. This year, my animals are snakes and middleweight raptors. Everybody loves the big birds, of course. But the snakes, not so much. So, it's especially important to educate visitors about snakes, and perhaps change their thinking a bit. On this day, I had a large common kingsnake. It's amazing how many people's first question is, <i>"Is it poisonous?"</i> Right. I'd be fool enough to stand here holding a venomous snake. Kingsnakes, which are constrictors, prey on a variety of small animals, including other snakes. Famously, even rattlesnakes are on their diet. Which leads people to classify kingsnakes as 'good' snakes. I gently inform them that there's no such thing as 'good' or 'bad' snakes. All snakes are just trying to make a living, using the tools they've been given. <br />
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There were still many more sights to see as the day went on. Passing a very large saguaro, I could hear baby birds calling. Just then this male Gila woodpecker poked his head out of the nest.<br />
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It is the male woodpecker who does the work of excavating the hole in preparation for nesting, and then he shares the duties of caring for the nestlings. Right after I snapped this photo, off he went, most likely in search of more food for those ravenous babies.<br />
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Baby animals are everywhere on the grounds. Black-tailed prairie dog pups have emerged from their burrows and are providing a never-ending source of entertainment. <br />
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One lucky pup was getting a serious grooming from mom.<br />
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Last stop of the day was in front of the mountain lion exhibit. Our young male, Cruz, was feeling frisky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Stretch</td></tr>
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And then, he decided to talk to us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meow!</td></tr>
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Have you ever heard a mountain lion meow like a housecat? Well they do, and it sounds so odd coming from this big cat. Mountain lions are the largest of the small cats - those that meow and purr. The big cats roar. <br />
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That was a perfect ending to a most excellent day!<br />
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<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-62555188094141698992016-05-01T11:44:00.001-07:002016-05-01T15:41:31.821-07:00Gila Monster - A Visit from an old FriendWhat's black and orange and beaded all over? Why, a big, fat, venomous lizard, that's what!<br />
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The Legendary Gila Monster, that almost mythical creature of the Wild West, about whom tall tales are told, about whom superstition and myths abound. And yet, here he is, right in my back yard. I consider myself among the lucky ones who have actually seen a Gila monster in the wild. Some people live their entire lives in the Sonoran Desert and never encounter this fascinating creature. </div>
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Even the name, 'monster', is absurd and reflects the amount of misinformation and exaggeration about a lizard that is barely two-feet long, slow and lumbering, shy and non-aggressive. Perhaps it's the elusive nature of a creature that spends 90% or more of its life underground, hidden from view, and about which, as a result, not a lot is known. </div>
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The Gila monster is one of only two venomous lizards in North America, and the only one in the U.S. The other, the Mexican beaded lizard, lives exclusively south of our border, in Mexico and into Guatemala. Gila monsters are known as nest raiders, and since they prey almost exclusively on food that will not run away from them - baby rabbits, bird eggs, baby lizards - their venom is not needed to subdue prey as is the venom of rattlesnakes, for instance. So, what's the purpose of the venom? Defensive? It seems the most logical. The venom gland is located in the lower jaw, and travels through the grooved lower teeth to enter the victim, producing excruciating pain. Just in case you were thinking of getting away after being bitten, the Gila monster's other trick is to not let go, continuing to gnaw, increasing the venom delivery and making sure you are plenty sorry you harassed him. Not to worry, however, you won't die from the venom. And that's the good news. The bad news is that you'll probably wish you would!</div>
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The beautiful black and orange/pink beaded pattern is unique to each individual lizard. The genus name, <i>Heloderma</i>, means studded skin. The 'beads' are actually bony scales, making the lizard's skin extremely difficult to penetrate and providing a good defense against large predators such as coyotes. Two subspecies differ in the beading patterns - banded, with regular, well-defined bands all over; and reticulated, with the irregular pattern such as the one shown in the photo. The reticulated is the species of southern Arizona and the only one I've ever seen. Oddly enough, all newly hatched Gila monsters are banded, but the ones in our range (Heloderma suspectum suspectum) develop the reticulated pattern as they mature. The small western banded gecko is sometimes mistaken for a baby Gila monster. </div>
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A forked tongue, like that of snakes, gives the Gila monster an extremely good sense of smell, and allows it to locate even buried eggs. Emerging from the winter den in spring, the Gila monster goes looking for food, and may gorge itself when food is available, storing fat in the tail for the long, lean months ahead. A mate is also on the agenda, and, if that quest is successful, the female lays eggs in July or August, burying them in the sand. The eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHffQD3cfFlhAdYcjl_FhyPq5xjyhyphenhyphenNVzLMXFaIllHYU3RQE7Ib2Dyx1AUrraRA2KJw_LxxbZvLdZoi9ogGbKmak9nLkSvhyphenhyphenW1OyDDQV81_jfPMP-0yWFeMcD1ahcELIwDlDMg5dSm4g/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHffQD3cfFlhAdYcjl_FhyPq5xjyhyphenhyphenNVzLMXFaIllHYU3RQE7Ib2Dyx1AUrraRA2KJw_LxxbZvLdZoi9ogGbKmak9nLkSvhyphenhyphenW1OyDDQV81_jfPMP-0yWFeMcD1ahcELIwDlDMg5dSm4g/s640/IMG_4841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In recent years, research on Gila monster venom has led to the development of <i>exenatide</i>, a drug that is a synthetic form of a substance found in Gila monster saliva, for the treatment of Type II diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels and leads to weight loss. </div>
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Many years ago, we named a visiting Gila monster Albert. Since then, every one who comes to our yard is known as Albert. I suppose it would be possible to compare photos and see if Albert is one individual or many different ones. I prefer the mystery. See you again next year, Albert.</div>
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The End</div>
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Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-81825133233664640592016-04-10T11:30:00.001-07:002016-04-10T11:30:55.848-07:00A Walk in the SpringAll of a sudden, it seems, the colors of the desert burst forth, and for a short, glorious time, flowers everywhere are advertising their wares to potential pollinators and awed onlookers. From prickly pear to cholla, saguaro to palo verde, the desert is going crazy. My walk around the neighborhood was slowed by the urgent need to photograph every flower. Of course, I didn't get them all, but here's a little taste of what enamored me so.<br />
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First, the flowers . . .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5aHt0mbpmD2S7JorLwmcV7WVkLerBiNAB1Xo4amMsI72mfO0mO6Wa0A7Yqm4WDhIiEQUTs8LqsnH_B4FcubfaSJbbdHgUNrRbJdzz_M0WJYCdCFisq2ZRFlz92wI72wRGxaeF8H4dmY/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5aHt0mbpmD2S7JorLwmcV7WVkLerBiNAB1Xo4amMsI72mfO0mO6Wa0A7Yqm4WDhIiEQUTs8LqsnH_B4FcubfaSJbbdHgUNrRbJdzz_M0WJYCdCFisq2ZRFlz92wI72wRGxaeF8H4dmY/s640/IMG_4564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-mWOqVbxp96BnnQiiOy7y3q3ojQU5xHoCUsO3mML12xu9HeU9eGZscGsFDjd_20LgricgqSboSGCOcaUHx7w-PTsX5JB5Umex1rNsjObP1E8czrvkaESGL9BTpIS1P7dplUQK_ByWHk/s1600/IMG_4565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-mWOqVbxp96BnnQiiOy7y3q3ojQU5xHoCUsO3mML12xu9HeU9eGZscGsFDjd_20LgricgqSboSGCOcaUHx7w-PTsX5JB5Umex1rNsjObP1E8czrvkaESGL9BTpIS1P7dplUQK_ByWHk/s640/IMG_4565.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla Cactus Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHJeeGpGosS6UfHWrMOauAzDamGWP0EiAvL8AqUoDzuoRXz-KaZ6d-98UjDismWOXZ1RHL9KTIiCL13hWxV2pA24RFoQTYPCOy_3ysGZxuzczZqG5BaDxoc4ibr0VpziTMVt7xApL3NQ/s1600/IMG_4566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHJeeGpGosS6UfHWrMOauAzDamGWP0EiAvL8AqUoDzuoRXz-KaZ6d-98UjDismWOXZ1RHL9KTIiCL13hWxV2pA24RFoQTYPCOy_3ysGZxuzczZqG5BaDxoc4ibr0VpziTMVt7xApL3NQ/s640/IMG_4566.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocotillo, Saguaros, Palo Verde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznUsmWUFMR3cMjgkDakiqLFsgWFmHslDzkraX5VstZrAu-LoX3wsQSKGZu9vm-H7R9N84IWpd5f0OuqmuEtxE9k0i-xu7O24qYVlZoHk4_mzXkPrN279NnOCWn-aNVL7BRcL9pWGOUY/s1600/IMG_4567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznUsmWUFMR3cMjgkDakiqLFsgWFmHslDzkraX5VstZrAu-LoX3wsQSKGZu9vm-H7R9N84IWpd5f0OuqmuEtxE9k0i-xu7O24qYVlZoHk4_mzXkPrN279NnOCWn-aNVL7BRcL9pWGOUY/s640/IMG_4567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickly Pear Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHBJgylhk2PbVKBPDURI83OrXvjTbLzsJj_FZA2KTfSjY5OuAoJyUD4K1To6Ba6wngSSKTJz94QzIkyE6gqllq0NOZhFFz08qn5CSXRWZ9F0f3DJYw5l0ZlsJDOtjL3PAPUXZh_fDS-0/s1600/IMG_4569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHBJgylhk2PbVKBPDURI83OrXvjTbLzsJj_FZA2KTfSjY5OuAoJyUD4K1To6Ba6wngSSKTJz94QzIkyE6gqllq0NOZhFFz08qn5CSXRWZ9F0f3DJYw5l0ZlsJDOtjL3PAPUXZh_fDS-0/s640/IMG_4569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWypRvxx8jOpstOGxf7NmcaNEdn9ie4XZqMdLnoe4tiz30o1UbQaOxsyNsucuH6J5Z_DQqDjb-z4D-5G0NQiswx6-z_1F_stBj02WOui1MudHd9QJj7D1Wdk7JP9-XkmdzpcAJgvEVxQ/s1600/IMG_4571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWypRvxx8jOpstOGxf7NmcaNEdn9ie4XZqMdLnoe4tiz30o1UbQaOxsyNsucuH6J5Z_DQqDjb-z4D-5G0NQiswx6-z_1F_stBj02WOui1MudHd9QJj7D1Wdk7JP9-XkmdzpcAJgvEVxQ/s640/IMG_4571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla Cactus Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPt8Cyh3wLeFLfv-77NAJfjntSadOQpN8rijPcdfFlCnwTnQMH11wHWcZwlJHGvDL26FYup3Dz1JzYFwvCZKQ5MMLUioEIpxgpjyo86A5CfwZ_BUZ3SdFyUK8ddnxn0ROSyVQNDNBCJI/s1600/IMG_4574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPt8Cyh3wLeFLfv-77NAJfjntSadOQpN8rijPcdfFlCnwTnQMH11wHWcZwlJHGvDL26FYup3Dz1JzYFwvCZKQ5MMLUioEIpxgpjyo86A5CfwZ_BUZ3SdFyUK8ddnxn0ROSyVQNDNBCJI/s640/IMG_4574.JPG" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saguaro Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gyf1IA5r7GCxrQ2V_mqJwItm2EOtyrmLC3b5deH3HXi6R5p6CuTiAhWRxnlL3aCuLWeTrDCakB6OUsI7OWNMUyod7ddoXWUV0ilE1bqaPXVnGP7cQtF0s7CkkCUETW8qEB6pbYzH8qU/s1600/IMG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gyf1IA5r7GCxrQ2V_mqJwItm2EOtyrmLC3b5deH3HXi6R5p6CuTiAhWRxnlL3aCuLWeTrDCakB6OUsI7OWNMUyod7ddoXWUV0ilE1bqaPXVnGP7cQtF0s7CkkCUETW8qEB6pbYzH8qU/s640/IMG_4575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRC5AXd_B6birHT7imonYytvHOuctXzY7ndWOOLYilerF8gxKSyCPWO7Q1xcTnWP3J8dHLtLtr0-bQ5ulKNCXfVPVOEWDieAz88o95SL9Y5xSFasbIJMbNEMqtapXBIzG6o9Tu9AHva4/s1600/IMG_4578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRC5AXd_B6birHT7imonYytvHOuctXzY7ndWOOLYilerF8gxKSyCPWO7Q1xcTnWP3J8dHLtLtr0-bQ5ulKNCXfVPVOEWDieAz88o95SL9Y5xSFasbIJMbNEMqtapXBIzG6o9Tu9AHva4/s640/IMG_4578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickly Pear Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-sdHpC6gamyi2xqjv1a93Yk47f_FxjRFV_tMWgyUoR-nyvzVwCwmFpMcAyq8w0GYxAHtuEKfi_VvgQvUj-EZe5qjdqH9ZW_3sTX0pkflE08ICsUs8mby2ghSgW6PoFLqaRMMQmLkz-U/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-sdHpC6gamyi2xqjv1a93Yk47f_FxjRFV_tMWgyUoR-nyvzVwCwmFpMcAyq8w0GYxAHtuEKfi_VvgQvUj-EZe5qjdqH9ZW_3sTX0pkflE08ICsUs8mby2ghSgW6PoFLqaRMMQmLkz-U/s640/IMG_4579.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickly Pear Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDroa10qIYzgPPjeVTWZ0jdYMfNBZADBrfiVrtFhhGT1Tf0hgBPkK4WQT1jYBk3_GhmCGTZex169FR_GvNTpKS83ST_2CBjrQHqpWCS72olJS7L89_tAHC94Y7YWVK40jF0-i8Bek5TI/s1600/IMG_4580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDroa10qIYzgPPjeVTWZ0jdYMfNBZADBrfiVrtFhhGT1Tf0hgBPkK4WQT1jYBk3_GhmCGTZex169FR_GvNTpKS83ST_2CBjrQHqpWCS72olJS7L89_tAHC94Y7YWVK40jF0-i8Bek5TI/s640/IMG_4580.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickly Pear Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCRRatyQgejRpCCgNi_VXIle2pHXqu_UmuWsEFMerDYpxcFX9aCklUpmBIg91qAyJEZ7m2F3fd_hznIr0gHaf7RPvifrnpcV4LkCxRrOuVshZEcrfpJh1_UbM2guHpIzwqVFDBeXQ5jU/s1600/IMG_4582-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCRRatyQgejRpCCgNi_VXIle2pHXqu_UmuWsEFMerDYpxcFX9aCklUpmBIg91qAyJEZ7m2F3fd_hznIr0gHaf7RPvifrnpcV4LkCxRrOuVshZEcrfpJh1_UbM2guHpIzwqVFDBeXQ5jU/s640/IMG_4582-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla and Palo Verde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwIkxvaWbsAo89yvKHpZUxgnLnXP9fqnZWHORgKPORb3Kq3EjvKuAFgs4iDQJ2EGVubBNIJANUb_GWrArqWrtuH8jbAyturTz9Nio0X5b065Fp7E_dAGWgvRBHvoil4U-Mr67KEgyqa0/s1600/IMG_4584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwIkxvaWbsAo89yvKHpZUxgnLnXP9fqnZWHORgKPORb3Kq3EjvKuAFgs4iDQJ2EGVubBNIJANUb_GWrArqWrtuH8jbAyturTz9Nio0X5b065Fp7E_dAGWgvRBHvoil4U-Mr67KEgyqa0/s640/IMG_4584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Prickly Pear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cAIOssXR8FDoaFxT50iWquC-Xn6yizvpFrjTBtAlvPjYkQbhySoHiAh4QeqMDWRbEh04aWUgOrNwLgi-jZLzXR6lyI4I2sTXYw9mhAVwLosrQ1Q1Sew4kzb5MChMCDoZ6Ke6c2NxLfE/s1600/IMG_4586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cAIOssXR8FDoaFxT50iWquC-Xn6yizvpFrjTBtAlvPjYkQbhySoHiAh4QeqMDWRbEh04aWUgOrNwLgi-jZLzXR6lyI4I2sTXYw9mhAVwLosrQ1Q1Sew4kzb5MChMCDoZ6Ke6c2NxLfE/s640/IMG_4586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Yellow Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdg7W1b5OJo8T8wX-CE1ufiKvyXPay2Xrrhya56E5vb3ACwVJdjegtqbvulJlNkfNVub098WPRdLhePXD_1wsjpuEddAOxNmCzrf-ucXyhnQJiA8Cse65aP7YPt0GEtPWlRLxxB5rq_E/s1600/IMG_4587-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdg7W1b5OJo8T8wX-CE1ufiKvyXPay2Xrrhya56E5vb3ACwVJdjegtqbvulJlNkfNVub098WPRdLhePXD_1wsjpuEddAOxNmCzrf-ucXyhnQJiA8Cse65aP7YPt0GEtPWlRLxxB5rq_E/s640/IMG_4587-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj797fYjI8lKYI7gTBU1LNdQvb0kU16GdF9TW8swBM7kdJQnqOZQdSrn7FYDXj6f5bDjWV-joYrS0i_aVITgtDcGERAbGIDDAntmZnV41AOD27AomP7D9kVWu024rbxhvO2gaTv-Pdt8w4/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj797fYjI8lKYI7gTBU1LNdQvb0kU16GdF9TW8swBM7kdJQnqOZQdSrn7FYDXj6f5bDjWV-joYrS0i_aVITgtDcGERAbGIDDAntmZnV41AOD27AomP7D9kVWu024rbxhvO2gaTv-Pdt8w4/s640/IMG_4591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickly Pear Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw4GUSoHAzoPqV2VS8p4k1FlJfWdrnV-MUTOd1XPC__afk1LtHK1cAAjcu3j-WO0TVAEj8A4K52F2AyOQXNzsQDL_DDshSnypJOpxEyxqhqoU0UsA22DCsstGj6kKB8rFlFNMw8vpOBE/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw4GUSoHAzoPqV2VS8p4k1FlJfWdrnV-MUTOd1XPC__afk1LtHK1cAAjcu3j-WO0TVAEj8A4K52F2AyOQXNzsQDL_DDshSnypJOpxEyxqhqoU0UsA22DCsstGj6kKB8rFlFNMw8vpOBE/s640/IMG_4592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Ratany</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3dq-ZXoVmU8heUcX5fGTJ2MLni47am9h1v0DGrU0-m8_tu5S5g5rPM11lk331ticwHWK3f7Ib7b2ZBPUSxNMLoPZZpwfzA3wkNcgFz9Ahvjv6mW7EzqZQDryLbPE3myCkwjZXUOqqAo/s1600/IMG_4594-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3dq-ZXoVmU8heUcX5fGTJ2MLni47am9h1v0DGrU0-m8_tu5S5g5rPM11lk331ticwHWK3f7Ib7b2ZBPUSxNMLoPZZpwfzA3wkNcgFz9Ahvjv6mW7EzqZQDryLbPE3myCkwjZXUOqqAo/s640/IMG_4594-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twining Milkweed Vine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcsK3il6pSsSYUb0GCZNOMbIUse4Jnp7b3mvcM_0Zefn-mFovJVKEZKdu4PtGXdNHG9TmusNZDty1mFcFHpxv0YUYzCAfifDfptU2fmXXPDxKYespzFxaoq3qs4qbxEb3GajNuCIHBDU/s1600/IMG_4597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcsK3il6pSsSYUb0GCZNOMbIUse4Jnp7b3mvcM_0Zefn-mFovJVKEZKdu4PtGXdNHG9TmusNZDty1mFcFHpxv0YUYzCAfifDfptU2fmXXPDxKYespzFxaoq3qs4qbxEb3GajNuCIHBDU/s640/IMG_4597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Prickly Pear surrounded by Catclaw Acacia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR4O_B_AsEbKxztfdJJSyNgi4fgNrfJ2pNxbaWmbAE6KLy3vce3IUjVnkxdfWXVzvHuYVtyUVIC9-5dB2fUVSJNHTJGtsTrQXnEMYOKEucAqpffKjC8GY2BvJJ8QAPup5x6QnvOVoTlU/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR4O_B_AsEbKxztfdJJSyNgi4fgNrfJ2pNxbaWmbAE6KLy3vce3IUjVnkxdfWXVzvHuYVtyUVIC9-5dB2fUVSJNHTJGtsTrQXnEMYOKEucAqpffKjC8GY2BvJJ8QAPup5x6QnvOVoTlU/s640/IMG_4475.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Palo Verde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV17FevNXBelxkDD19qaUBQpCDywCIl2MsEBPDw3whX4ijWstYUe2k38fJqNeurtE-JcGp5GVC3GX-moAvMvyX532HoqPqmDH74pvHJm3lo14MMNQab9wBrZZbFghYHTf3DjUryA5NsMc/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV17FevNXBelxkDD19qaUBQpCDywCIl2MsEBPDw3whX4ijWstYUe2k38fJqNeurtE-JcGp5GVC3GX-moAvMvyX532HoqPqmDH74pvHJm3lo14MMNQab9wBrZZbFghYHTf3DjUryA5NsMc/s640/IMG_4477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Palo Verde Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9tytI9EXWw6Mhef1w9P0OZrjgJ4WdT1Su7M7GD51Iljb3YO14IJak6xQM71kwrOGdd8z4aU6y5AG6tK7CQxp5eGxnVDsn8314VrjVPxfHEDwQK_CG9-y3j0Tk_3A6x4qA0iohZCWv2g/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9tytI9EXWw6Mhef1w9P0OZrjgJ4WdT1Su7M7GD51Iljb3YO14IJak6xQM71kwrOGdd8z4aU6y5AG6tK7CQxp5eGxnVDsn8314VrjVPxfHEDwQK_CG9-y3j0Tk_3A6x4qA0iohZCWv2g/s640/IMG_4483.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Bird of Paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-cSV9OZMEf1ewKuiLos_pzv7oearE5gAio2VW4unpRAjNIgUxvqOTHTu9Xs7k_hG9mZroUkq2Iel7wyDNzoUEj9GRFqxKJiwjfhFYCAP5IYC7BfQqI2lKp6FE4fBmbWlB1_wK2XcT64/s1600/IMG_4413-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-cSV9OZMEf1ewKuiLos_pzv7oearE5gAio2VW4unpRAjNIgUxvqOTHTu9Xs7k_hG9mZroUkq2Iel7wyDNzoUEj9GRFqxKJiwjfhFYCAP5IYC7BfQqI2lKp6FE4fBmbWlB1_wK2XcT64/s640/IMG_4413-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocotillos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, it wasn't all flowers. Some of the other sights . . .<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm1QEA8QD48-p86vuOXMKy-CjpkiHB2brst-JrIPMJ1F3tpc8OY0ZtQ9JKZtZYlJjEBTgXyVlOvCl3MUHp9xEE1J2yCvKeTvZOP1wOX7dNFZ045YQTZj83X2xquylM2Rmb5YSZ5pP4mo/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm1QEA8QD48-p86vuOXMKy-CjpkiHB2brst-JrIPMJ1F3tpc8OY0ZtQ9JKZtZYlJjEBTgXyVlOvCl3MUHp9xEE1J2yCvKeTvZOP1wOX7dNFZ045YQTZj83X2xquylM2Rmb5YSZ5pP4mo/s640/IMG_4416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phainopeplas and Dove in Ocotillo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pm4cDSY-rW7N_WuyGGb-E8M6d8udwofzwr_s1zbTVbT3qyGtvPjZpYnFsXecuAy_fLkYnngfVdqJSLMDeTPiOFAy9dHyDmMeFfz7KV5vzW-X3g7lE2lZKW40Sva2FXJ9CwLkpa1Encs/s1600/IMG_4573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pm4cDSY-rW7N_WuyGGb-E8M6d8udwofzwr_s1zbTVbT3qyGtvPjZpYnFsXecuAy_fLkYnngfVdqJSLMDeTPiOFAy9dHyDmMeFfz7KV5vzW-X3g7lE2lZKW40Sva2FXJ9CwLkpa1Encs/s640/IMG_4573.JPG" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s8ZJiZ0CWsc_lerE7g7gPyyzIR2vweqNIMA3uwd1dYJtvlC9hRvN-pHDcuYcIqzpWoJWk_KLxnuNdJu7nFXeORBwJDPXGQkiaM1oMnE1P-7m9qtofXxi2W7Bk_pWwDbThmaXZ6xnOHA/s1600/IMG_4588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s8ZJiZ0CWsc_lerE7g7gPyyzIR2vweqNIMA3uwd1dYJtvlC9hRvN-pHDcuYcIqzpWoJWk_KLxnuNdJu7nFXeORBwJDPXGQkiaM1oMnE1P-7m9qtofXxi2W7Bk_pWwDbThmaXZ6xnOHA/s640/IMG_4588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Long-Nosed Snake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0iiMYjmRSGb3JwgJoruvLKkY2mi3tinRtWpVb2aVyRl9o0KcU59SVrtirOjNhS8nRENGcszk4Fo1SFVHoPu8iuCLNjqVpH2iJyG2DSs3druD-t-WKWrK1l295vp3XeM9kJdm1DmCL9c/s1600/IMG_4589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0iiMYjmRSGb3JwgJoruvLKkY2mi3tinRtWpVb2aVyRl9o0KcU59SVrtirOjNhS8nRENGcszk4Fo1SFVHoPu8iuCLNjqVpH2iJyG2DSs3druD-t-WKWrK1l295vp3XeM9kJdm1DmCL9c/s640/IMG_4589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snake's tail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And, when I got home, who should come to visit? This handsome fellow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVwuE9iiArEQ-4jG6vyKBBsLNX6Yo0bsPA0j9EPQyezxFoiSZSiShNnMhKwonEeFz4zooTDPesYcsA7HTr9uRoVIzL0HIRGUusNTP4Kwk1As9PM9RzhulblzuG1CSLXVb6tdmmEjat_I/s1600/IMG_4467-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVwuE9iiArEQ-4jG6vyKBBsLNX6Yo0bsPA0j9EPQyezxFoiSZSiShNnMhKwonEeFz4zooTDPesYcsA7HTr9uRoVIzL0HIRGUusNTP4Kwk1As9PM9RzhulblzuG1CSLXVb6tdmmEjat_I/s640/IMG_4467-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Kingsnake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All the flowers are somewhat early as we've had a warm, dry spring. After the blue palo verdes bloom, come the more numerous foothills palo verdes, which will turn the entire landscape yellow with their beautiful blooms. They are slightly paler yellow than the blue PV flowers due to the presence of the white banner petal. So the show will go on for a while. <br />
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The Sonoran Desert in spring will forever alter your perception of "desert" in a good way!Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-56719554603524912772016-03-28T08:41:00.000-07:002016-04-07T12:06:08.818-07:00On the Beaten, Bumpy PathEach spring during the University of Arizona's spring break, the campus is taken over by the incredible and ever-growing <a href="http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/" target="_blank">Tucson Festival of Books</a>. Anything and everything book-related is represented, including an impressive array (<a href="http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/?id=45" target="_blank">see the list</a>) of authors giving talks and signing their books. <br />
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One of the panels I attended featured three Arizona travel writers, including one of my favorites, <a href="http://www.rogernaylor.com/" target="_blank">Roger Naylor</a>. He just makes you want to get outside, lace up your boots and hit the trails. One of the questions posed to the panel was about the most unique place they had come across in their Arizona travels. The other two authors gave thoughtful responses of places they had found that had almost spiritual qualities. Then it was Roger's turn. And he proceeded to wax poetic about . . . the <a href="http://www.thedesertbar.com/" target="_blank">Desert Bar</a>!<br />
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I almost laughed out loud, as not a week before, while camping along the Colorado River, we had made our annual pilgrimage to this odd and crazy place. Literally out in the middle of nowhere, after miles on a bone-jarring, teeth-rattling, rocky road, you are greeted with an almost surreal sight. Hundreds of parked cars (where did they all come from??) and a collection of structures that can only be described as bizarre. In the parking lot you encounter the facade of a church, with nothing behind it.<br />
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Crossing a covered bridge into an open-air bar, tables are packed with happy people, a band playing the sounds of the 60's and 70's, colorful umbrellas keeping the desert sun at bay, and the bartenders hard at work trying to keep up with the crowd. Burgers and hot dogs are on the grill, but don't ask for cheese! There's an inside saloon too, and a popular shop for the shirts and hats, and many levels of seating areas. Downstairs a new kitchen has added many food items to the menu. <br />
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Everything is run on solar power, and, how's this for a business model - they're only open on the weekends, 11am to dark, for a few months a year. <br />
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Officially the Nellie E Saloon, the Desert Bar is located in the Buckskin Mountains, just north of Parker, Arizona. The name comes from the original mining claim on which the bar now stands. Everywhere you look is some little quirky, kitschy, interesting relic - an old, rusty fire truck, old glass refrigerator doors for windows in the saloon, open-air restrooms that give a view across the desert. Between the people-watching, the music, and looking at the details of construction, you'll stay totally entertained. <br />
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If you want a truly unique Arizona experience, make your way out to the Desert Bar.<br />
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<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-75136181495696066402016-03-11T05:28:00.000-07:002016-03-15T08:32:24.079-07:00Beavertail on the Colorado<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opuntia basilaris</i></td></tr>
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The rocky, almost barren desert of the lower Colorado River valley comes alive in March after winter rains and warm temperatures. Yellow creosote bush blooms, brittlebush and yellow cups, and purple phacelia shout that spring has arrived. But, nothing prepared me for the explosion of color that was the blooming of the beavertail prickly pear cactus. Our annual trip to the river was just a week later this year than usual, and what a difference it made. Normally I'm happy to see ten or so of these bright pink beauties. Imagine my surprise and joy to be met with hundreds of the humble little cactus sporting big, bold flowers, everywhere the eye could see.<br />
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The flat, jointed pads of the beavertail give rise to its name. A low-growing prickly pear with gray-green stems and no large spines, the pads are covered with tiny brown bristles called glochids. These are far more irritating and bothersome to the human body than the big spines. Note to admirers of the flowers, don't get too close to the plant!<br />
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Growing on the rockiest slopes, these plants seem to need little in the way of soil or water. The flowers range in color from bold magenta to delicate pink, and I understand, there are even yellow and white varieties. In this section of the Sonoran Desert along the Colorado River, I saw none of the yellow or white. <br />
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The flowers are followed by fruits, magenta to pale green, maturing to dry brown-gray, barrel shaped and usually spineless. Cactus bees are the pollinators.<br />
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A drive along Cienega Springs Road, and later a hike up Buckskin Trail literally took my breath away with the stunning glory of these flowers. The Death Valley superbloom had nothing on this display!Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-64356605053175526132016-02-24T09:38:00.000-07:002016-02-24T09:39:05.193-07:00I've Got the Blues<div class="MsoNormal">
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If you love beautiful rocks, gems, meteorites, fossils and minerals, you’re attracted to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show like moths to a light. It’s not about buying anything, or needing anything, it’s just about the wonder and beauty of it all. Every year, a fellow docent and I work at the Desert Museum’s booth at the TGMS show at the Convention Center, and it’s really a fun gig. Along the upper hallway, not on the main show floor, are the booths of lapidary clubs, geological societies, museums, state parks, government organizations, educational institutions and the like. That’s where we are. Everyone who enters the show must pass our way. Our main mission is to tell people about the Desert Museum, and secondarily, about our connection to the geology of the Sonoran Desert. This year we had both the mineral specimen kit and the meteorite kit, which bring interested visitors over to our booth. It’s wonderful to see so many adults bringing their children, and how deeply interested the children are. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After our shift is over, we can go down to the main show floor, where hundreds of booths and exhibits await. One of the main attractions of this particular show is the incredible array of spectacular mineral exhibits, usually centered around the theme for the year. This year’s theme was <i>Shades of Blue</i>, somewhat of a departure from past years, which normally feature a specific gem or mineral.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Arizona, and the Desert Museum in particular, are in the enviable position of having something of an “embarrassment of riches” when it comes to blue minerals. “<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The Desert Museum's permanent mineral collection has been touted as one of the finest regional mineral collections in the world. The strength of the collection lies in the museum's narrow focus of attention: minerals from the Sonoran Desert region of Arizona, Sonora and Baja, California.” (</span><span lang="EN">ASDM website)<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The blues in the various exhibits ran the gamut from sky-blue turquoise, blue-green chrysocolla, intense indigo of azurite, on to the reddish-blue shades of amethyst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The Museum’s mineral collection is nothing short of breathtaking, and from this, they select some of the most exquisite to display at the Gem Show. The minor copper ores of azurite, chrysocolla and turquoise are the most well-known of our blue minerals. And, of these, we have an abundance. Bisbee is known the world over for the quality and beauty of the azurite found there, and that is the centerpiece of so many ‘blue’ mineral exhibits.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">You need know nothing about the powerful forces that created these wonders in order to appreciate their beauty. And yet, we cannot help but be awed by those forces, still so active today. So, is geology a ‘living’ science like the others represented at the Desert Museum? What is your take?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN">From the Desert Museum’s website:</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"> “. . . the visitor to ASDM's earth sciences center has been treated to a full spectrum of the truly "living" science of geology - from the raging forces that create wonderlands in the underground caverns, to the jewel-like products of tremendous tectonic forges.”<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">So, until you can go to next year’s gem and mineral show, come to the Desert Museum and take a trip down to the Earth Sciences Center and just drink in the beauty of nature’s creations.<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-67149364621077447652016-02-15T17:34:00.000-07:002016-02-15T17:34:30.759-07:00How Can You Do This?It never ceases to amaze me how much litter I find on my walks, whether they be in cities, or on remote nature trails. I am almost compulsive about picking it up. My sisters and I spend Christmas on the Southern California beach and we never fail to carry a trash bag. Granted, much of the beach trash washes up with the tide, but not all. One year, we filled a 30-gallon trash bag to overflowing, and then started another one, just in a little over a mile of beach. People would say 'thank you' to us, and yet I wondered what kept them from doing the same, even on a small scale. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko3gyMNfWnRu3HRoJesUc8QIHa7dgdhligBJxnoVTcrZ8hLBKLp-Vo5ai5yDLKy1KrNANNiNcbd3j2UWgcnGEJugPRKhAd5oESBqPRHKLASEWDcDSo74SGK2blhgJu3iWR0HKOE_p1wQ/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko3gyMNfWnRu3HRoJesUc8QIHa7dgdhligBJxnoVTcrZ8hLBKLp-Vo5ai5yDLKy1KrNANNiNcbd3j2UWgcnGEJugPRKhAd5oESBqPRHKLASEWDcDSo74SGK2blhgJu3iWR0HKOE_p1wQ/s200/IMG_3601.JPG" width="200" /></a>When I'm home, my regular walk is a 3-mile loop around the neighborhood, which is urban/suburban, houses on somewhat large properties of 1 acre or more with mostly natural desert vegetation. Most of the neighbors love the desert and take great pride in the neighborhood. We love the fact that we are 15 minutes from downtown, but feel a world away, a place where coyotes, bobcats, javelina, snakes, rabbits, and a great variety of birds are our regular visitors and neighbors. Saguaros, barrel cactus, palo verdes, acacia, cholla and brittlebush dominate the desert vegetation. And the Santa Catalina Mountains loom over it all. <br />
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You would think that by walking the same route every day, there would rarely be any trash to pick up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0W7ue6y5uYWIGcrRSz155CUeYTVOCLbWT7tNYKqAdBlGZZoeZG3U98vKdOCqSdfT-_4b9rGUzT818eV5BLHEo5SNP118fIdGsOIqWYL4pq6gIx36T7AbWQN7wwSTfitooheIkeehwfM/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0W7ue6y5uYWIGcrRSz155CUeYTVOCLbWT7tNYKqAdBlGZZoeZG3U98vKdOCqSdfT-_4b9rGUzT818eV5BLHEo5SNP118fIdGsOIqWYL4pq6gIx36T7AbWQN7wwSTfitooheIkeehwfM/s200/IMG_3868.JPG" width="200" /></a> Not so. In fact it's rare that I come home with nothing in the bag. Cigarette smokers are on top of the list as the biggest litterers. Think those cigarette butts are not litter? Think again. They could take up to 12 years to biodegrade, meanwhile creating a hazard for unsuspecting wildlife thinking it is food. Plastic bags, soda cups, straws, aluminum cans and all the miscellaneous detritus of modern human life. Sometimes you can't help but wonder at the life of the litterer. A while back, just about every day, I would find one, maybe even two, small liquor bottles - vodka or wine. Were they drinking it on the way home? One the way to work? Hiding if from their spouse or kids? Would these little empties lie beside the road waiting to be picked up? No. I have many battle scars from palo verdes and cacti trying to prevent me from my mission. Then one day, I stopped finding the bottles. What transpired? Hmmm. My mind ran through the possibilities - maybe he got religion and sobered up, perhaps he got arrested for DUI, did he move away . . . ??<br />
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Several years ago, our neighborhood association installed Mutt Mitts - plastic bag dispensers for picking up dog poop. Still there are dog owners who don't think they should have to pick up after <br />
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their dog. That's where I draw the line. I won't pick up after someone else's dog. Even worse, however, is the person who carefully picks up the droppings, puts them in a bag, ties the top and proceeds to leave the whole thing by the roadside! Oh my. <br />
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With magnificent scenery all around, and the possibility of seeing wildlife, I truly love my walks. But, I just can't help but think how much nicer they would be without the trash.<br />
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Dear litterer, how can you do this?<br />
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<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-23569367406658617042016-02-08T17:06:00.002-07:002016-02-09T07:52:54.550-07:00A Hummingbird Tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the great joys of living in Tucson is the year-around presence of hummingbirds. This year, in particular, for whatever reason, the hummingbird population at my feeders has exploded. Rather than the three or four regulars through the winter season, I'm seeing up to 15 of the tiny birds. At times, they resemble a swarm of bees, especially during a rainstorm when their feeding seems particularly frantic. <br />
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With all this air traffic, accidents are bound to happen. I have floor-to-ceiling windows facing a front courtyard where several feeders hang. Occasionally, a bird will crash in to a window and knock himself out. One chilly day last week I heard a thump on the window. Afraid of what it meant, I looked out on the ground below the window and there was a lifeless-looking little bundle of feathers. I gathered him up and brought him in the house for some revival warmth. <br />
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He rested calmly for about 15 minutes, then he signaled his readiness to go by fluttering his wings. Outside we went and as soon as I opened my hand, off he flew. Success!<br />
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Just a few days later, on what was to be our coldest night, darkness had already settled, and inside, I was sitting just a few feet from the window. I kept hearing a fluttering sound, sort of like when a moth is trying to escape. I turned around to look for the moth. Instead, on the outside down on the sill was a hummingbird flying up and down the window. How odd, I thought. But, I knew she must be in trouble, so I went into rescue mode again. It was a little female, possibly a juvenile as there were no markings. I scooped her up and brought her inside. She seemed exhausted. When she finally appeared to recover, I was afraid to release her into the cold and dark. Hummingbirds go to their overnight roost before dark and, when the temperatures are cold, go into a state of torpor, or lowered metabolic rate. This allows them to survive sub-freezing temperatures. <br />
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My husband scrounged around the house and found a box, which we then outfitted with a soft towel for a perch and another light towel over the top allowing for air. I put her in and closed the top and she immediately settled quietly. Once the sun was up the next morning and the temperature had risen somewhat, I placed the box outside and removed the lid. She sat patiently for a few minutes, and then she was gone.<br />
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I saw her later at the feeder chowing down on sugar water. Did she nod at me and wink?<br />
<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-316363690579084432016-02-04T08:27:00.000-07:002016-02-04T08:27:10.091-07:00Blowing in the WindIt seems that last post kind of left you hanging, didn't it. That certainly wasn't my intention. Forgive me and let's pick up the trail.<br />
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Traveling north on Highway 89 out of Flagstaff, I found myself constantly on the lookout for where we would pull over if the truck decided to quit again. A very unsettling feeling. Turning off onto Highway 89A the feeling got even worse, as there is literally no shoulder, a skinny 2-lane road and nowhere to pull off. Across the Colorado River on the Navajo Bridge, and along the magnificent Vermillion Cliffs, past tiny settlements and finally up the steep grade toward Jacob Lake, fingers crossed all the while. My worry was for naught as the drive was without incident and we happily pulled into the Jacob Lake Forest Service campground for the night. At the busy intersection to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, this campground stays pretty full in the summer and we were happy we had arrived early in the afternoon. <br />
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After a walk and an ice cream break at the store, I did some birding while Jay cleaned out the storage compartments of the trailer. Odd time to do it, but whatever. Look at this pile of stuff we've been hauling around forever! Good time to do some organizing.<br />
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Coming down off the Kaibab Plateau, the most spectacular views unfold, revealing the red rock canyons of southern Utah. We stopped in Kanab for lunch, and then back into Arizona to continue through polygamist country, back to Utah and on to Zion National Park. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8hv2agSDT_fpWHcZac4T3RyWXH9N5KMGnYXLWMliNz68NohGZn2iEIhJ1D6xYyoUqoMJBlGkfC8UloCvu2czPIUSRGaL8_J4-S5OSUNvTYqhhsEHgDhI2lYQM2J_2gG3aFkmz53rfZM/s1600/IOS+Photos+7.25.15+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8hv2agSDT_fpWHcZac4T3RyWXH9N5KMGnYXLWMliNz68NohGZn2iEIhJ1D6xYyoUqoMJBlGkfC8UloCvu2czPIUSRGaL8_J4-S5OSUNvTYqhhsEHgDhI2lYQM2J_2gG3aFkmz53rfZM/s320/IOS+Photos+7.25.15+006.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I planned this trip, I was happy to be able to snag a camp space in the park over Fourth of July, which certainly wasn't my preference for the time to be there, but it's what worked for our trip. Yes, it was crowded, but the park does an amazing job of dealing efficiently with the crowds. In our many trips through southern Utah, we had never camped in Zion, so I was excited to have four days here, with time to really explore the park and the trails. Just a 2-minute walk took us to the visitor center and the shuttles that eliminate the need for driving inside the park. The town of Springdale is also just an easy walk. We did take a day trip through the park to the east, north on Highway 89,and then up over the mountains on Highway 14, back to Cedar City where a tremendous thunderstorm hit. Once the rain abated, we explored the Kolob Canyons section of Zion NP, which is only accessible off I-15 and which we had never visited before. A 5-mile drive takes you into spectacular red rock canyons studded with cedars, oaks and pines. <br />
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Back in the park, it was time to do some hiking. So many trails, so little time! I chose several in the canyon, the highlight of which was Angel's Landing. The 'high' part for sure. An easy walk along the river, then up the steep switchbacks to Refrigerator Canyon, shady and cool, then you hit Walter's Wiggles, tight and steep switchbacks leading to Scout's Lookout. There on the expanse of flat rocks, all manner of people lounged, savoring the rest and the glorious day. Did I really want to go the rest of the way? I looked across a saddle to the absurdly steep and narrow Hogsback and thought, no way! What? You came all this way to chicken out now?? Nope. So, shedding my backpack to the mercy of the squirrels, I joined the line of equally idiotic people making their way up to the top, using chains bolted to the rocks to keep from falling into the abyss. The worst part was making way for people coming the opposite direction, as the trail was only wide enough for one person at a time. That half mile seemed to go on forever, but I finally stepped onto the Landing, where it felt like a celebration taking place. Where's the champagne?! After a well-earned rest and some photos of the magnificent views, it was time to start back down - definitely harder than going up! I met a guy coming the other way who asked me how old I was - he and I were by far the oldest people up there. Some kind people had rescued my backpack from the industrious squirrels. Retrieving it, I began the long descent with the legs and knees burning all the way. Jay met me at the shuttle stop and we headed back to town for a cold beer. <br />
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It's been 6 months, and now I'm tired all over again just writing about it! Here's to great adventures!Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-86518881150306486892015-09-09T16:59:00.002-07:002015-09-10T08:00:42.978-07:00Starting North - Flagstaff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was anxious to get to Reno to see an old friend who is not doing well, and I let that cloud my judgement about when to travel. I saw there was a camp space at Zion NP for four nights over Fourth of July, so I grabbed it. What was I thinking?? Leaving Tucson on July 1st, I planned to spend two nights in Flagstaff and one at Jacob Lake, then on to Zion. I had made reservations at the KOA in Flagstaff, not my favorite place, but the others were full already, and it is convenient for activities around town. Besides, it was a holiday weekend upcoming, so choices were limited. The best laid plans . . . . About 30 miles south of Flagstaff on Highway 17, making a pretty good climb, I heard my husband mumble, "Uh oh". Not a good sign. A few seconds later the truck just died. Thankfully there was a wide enough shoulder that we could get our 50'+ long rig off the road. What a nightmare it would have been had we not been able to get out of the traffic lanes as we were on a blind corner with big trucks and other vehicles whizzing by. Naturally, cell service was almost non-existent. We were, however, able to get a 911 call through and the dispatcher sent a deputy. He arrived in about 20 minutes and called a tow truck for us. About an hour later, the tow truck arrived and before long we were on our way to Flagstaff - truck, trailer and all. The driver took us to the GMC dealer where we left the truck, then he hauled us and the trailer to the KOA. Our driver was unflappable and the tight turns, narrow roads and trees in the park didn't bother him a bit. The GMC dealer sent a shuttle driver to take me to Enterprise to rent a car, and I just made it there before they closed. They were very busy and it took half an hour or so to get out of there. Needless to say, by then I needed a drink!<br />
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Later in the evening, we left for dinner, but Jay wanted to stop by the GMC dealer first and see if they had looked at the truck. He spent half an hour chatting with the technicians about the issue, trying to impress upon them the need for a speedy repair, then it was off to dinner at Fat Olives, a bustling, comfortable pizza place. So nice to relax after such a crazy day.<br />
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With only two nights reserved here, and no spaces available after that, we wondered what we'd do if the truck didn't get fixed in time. Oh well, might as well go do what we wanted to do and not worry about it. I love old downtown Flagstaff for its history, charm, great architecture, hip restaurants and bars and great people-watching. And, oh, were we happy to be parking the little rent-car instead of the big Duramax! Mart Ann's on Highway 66 was our choice for breakfast and a good choice it was!<br />
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Leaving downtown, first on my list was the Arboretum at Flagstaff, which looked close on the map but proved to be about 9 miles on a dirt road, with very poor signage. But the drive was worthwhile as the arboretum was really lovely. Showcasing native Colorado plateau plants in various gardens, they also had a bird program, a gift shop and greenhouses where many plants were being propagated. The gardens and buildings were the residence of the Arboretum's founder, Frances McAllister.<br />
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Even with large groups of school kids there for educational programs, the grounds were peaceful and inspiring. <br />
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Next stop, Lowell Observatory. Founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell and famous for the discovery of Pluto, among many other achievements. High on Mars Hill overlooking Flagstaff, the observatory continues state-of-the-art research by acquiring and upgrading its telescopes and facilities, while honoring and preserving its history. <br />
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I think the kids from the Arboretum followed us here!</div>
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I was on the Pluto tour, and it seems the kids were going the same place we were. We let them pass and then made our way along the path lined with busts of astronomers and a line depicting the distance of the planets from the sun and from each other. Big, black thunderclouds filled the sky and I was sure were in for a downpour. At over 7000' in elevation, Flagstaff is pleasantly warm in summer with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Our group of perhaps 20 was led by a docent who was a retired high school science teacher. <br />
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As we got inside the small observatory, a huge crack of thunder signaled nearby lighting. The docent didn't seem too nervous as he told us we shouldn't be in there since the building wasn't grounded, but, oh well, we were there and where else could we go? The entire dome sat on a metal track that rotated, allowing viewing in all directions. Built in 1928-1929 for the purpose of searching for Planet X, the elusive ninth planet that Percival Lowell thought must exist, the Pluto Discovery Telescope is one of the most famous in American astronomical research. Examining images from this scope, Clyde Tombaugh made the discovery of Pluto in 1930.</div>
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We also toured the Putnam Collection Center, where many historical instruments show just how far we've come in the scientific world, and the visitor center's excellent exhibits. There's so much more to see here on this famous hill, but it'll have to wait for another day. Our truck is ready! Yay! We can leave tomorrow as planned and won't be out on the street. A new fuel line, fuel filter, $500 and she's ready to go. The great guys at the GMC dealership even hosed the red dust off the rent-car so it wouldn't be so obvious we were on dirt roads.</div>
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I'll have to say that every single person we dealt with in Flagstaff could not have been nicer and more accommodating. They made a stressful situation so much less painful. <br />
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We were on the road early the next morning, and I'll admit to some trepidation about whether the truck would really get us there. I was constantly looking for where we could get off the road if we had to . The saga continues in the next blog.Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-54056244567177631192015-06-10T15:51:00.001-07:002015-06-10T15:55:07.967-07:00Commitment IssuesA blog is most definitely a commitment. I admire the many bloggers I follow who can find something interesting to write every day, and they commit to doing it. That, apparently, is not me. On either count! I am a fickle blogger. Just take a look at the date of my last post! Probably because I'd rather be doing this . . .<br />
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or this . . .</div>
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Well, you get the idea. Any excuse will do. But, here I am, so let's see what's been happening in my corner of the desert.</div>
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The coyotes have been very active during the day. I see them just about every morning on my walk.</div>
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First, I spotted him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAMjgxh2N2OltIE1HBIYguWIww5m_MgTe_90LOBFj5JssHUnAUqF8O9BCUZ4NkF5677kxD7ufapbKH-17oop2NH2LlJ6zEqlsAfO4rqUtm-s2x7Yv8-2I41_5CYsR9_9lXuYoElHq5Zg/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAMjgxh2N2OltIE1HBIYguWIww5m_MgTe_90LOBFj5JssHUnAUqF8O9BCUZ4NkF5677kxD7ufapbKH-17oop2NH2LlJ6zEqlsAfO4rqUtm-s2x7Yv8-2I41_5CYsR9_9lXuYoElHq5Zg/s320/Agave+6.10.15+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then he spotted me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyumLNWnj71lkw-Vrj4phb5ljahlcu8Bf3fAZmnqdVMt8IIqoN1-YNDv1ThfCPhxko1AanIcZY5_ROO8XMXXk8Y39B_FuauZY5s_HCak6vy-CmoZVege0hNWRz4Gp8OrgnttHGZB7apM/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyumLNWnj71lkw-Vrj4phb5ljahlcu8Bf3fAZmnqdVMt8IIqoN1-YNDv1ThfCPhxko1AanIcZY5_ROO8XMXXk8Y39B_FuauZY5s_HCak6vy-CmoZVege0hNWRz4Gp8OrgnttHGZB7apM/s320/Agave+6.10.15+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oops, better turn around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3UyMBmwq6Z1VVoAiB3sodODYAeAZoKbpAvkJvk81cMuFLKWLvHBSTd8DeWPi_GOwd21d7_Xd-cIYO6ieZnaM8fYx9lXp4Z0FlaIkIIbMSpFA0ntnmghlatzIOi9U-MOUaxpNHBCfgxA/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3UyMBmwq6Z1VVoAiB3sodODYAeAZoKbpAvkJvk81cMuFLKWLvHBSTd8DeWPi_GOwd21d7_Xd-cIYO6ieZnaM8fYx9lXp4Z0FlaIkIIbMSpFA0ntnmghlatzIOi9U-MOUaxpNHBCfgxA/s320/Agave+6.10.15+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A dove and a pyrrhuloxia sat atop adjacent saguaros seeing who could call the loudest. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OnvAid0Vh-5h2RGtLkPGW7EoyN-d8EQbDXS8ts-nikd9DZFHMiqwo0sexHdFkmQ8wRDIVgZS_97HQ8SW5sslhgIsxOIv0SFcWCm5WXvuUE1CkLfcwz2MogzcvQw3e4-cY4svrh-GdE/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OnvAid0Vh-5h2RGtLkPGW7EoyN-d8EQbDXS8ts-nikd9DZFHMiqwo0sexHdFkmQ8wRDIVgZS_97HQ8SW5sslhgIsxOIv0SFcWCm5WXvuUE1CkLfcwz2MogzcvQw3e4-cY4svrh-GdE/s320/Agave+6.10.15+016.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Well, the pyrrhuloxia definitely got more points for melody. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JjntkCB3gxPYQ7Xk-RyefUf-vhAjougke2aVuwwVw2IVWjLj4GyARZoDSzyfAxOemS6Sw-_R8eUddmY-AlUwzmwVTA_nrTwxJOHWysOdKu5XyhdR-soP0K4nyda-82_dYPuKeoYyR50/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JjntkCB3gxPYQ7Xk-RyefUf-vhAjougke2aVuwwVw2IVWjLj4GyARZoDSzyfAxOemS6Sw-_R8eUddmY-AlUwzmwVTA_nrTwxJOHWysOdKu5XyhdR-soP0K4nyda-82_dYPuKeoYyR50/s320/Agave+6.10.15+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As fast as the saguaro fruits ripen, some lucky creature is waiting to devour the sweet pulp, leaving an empty red hull that looks for all the world like a flower.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FHVNSjJNVgVySY-QM3xb5oYDXqodpCkOWClSiKu0hpOvmRLP73DO0uU7eidJsDr0Dzmc0C53L_2YDDKlxHhgPifFwn7keTRLIebTsj_lECReGP-o3aHMgUugKg1AoJ_V_uJqwPluBc4/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FHVNSjJNVgVySY-QM3xb5oYDXqodpCkOWClSiKu0hpOvmRLP73DO0uU7eidJsDr0Dzmc0C53L_2YDDKlxHhgPifFwn7keTRLIebTsj_lECReGP-o3aHMgUugKg1AoJ_V_uJqwPluBc4/s320/Agave+6.10.15+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh look! Night blooming cereus buds are getting ready to put on their one-night show.</div>
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Only six buds this year, not like the glory days of this plant when it would produce more than 20 flowers. One recent year, it didn't bloom at all, and I was afraid it had worn itself out. But, gradually, it has come back after it's little hiatus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLR3qr4d_08DlOi5-mpeSUnUVDqLiKqf1UUW47cF40Z_lZRIOsWHUQ48Y7p-ZQMEABHEPANApTh2NPURbZ9ECv7gJAJ270Q4g_WTX2Bo6f3bIslxx58ugGZZa1FCv7kJcuFB-kDi4-t0/s1600/Agave+6.10.15+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLR3qr4d_08DlOi5-mpeSUnUVDqLiKqf1UUW47cF40Z_lZRIOsWHUQ48Y7p-ZQMEABHEPANApTh2NPURbZ9ECv7gJAJ270Q4g_WTX2Bo6f3bIslxx58ugGZZa1FCv7kJcuFB-kDi4-t0/s320/Agave+6.10.15+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rain in Tucson in June is virtually unheard of. It's usually the dreaded month of bone-dry,100 degree days, not a cloud in sight. Well, guess what? This year, we have had rain, thanks to a tropical storm in the Pacific. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pEFcOv9u7x_W-vcSQ-sgIQuK44LFi8kC9qMyJcJLEKCLFMjwwxODq8aiQvmlhbSPrS1A7HpAWfmofb8Jmf-1MNrjqHx4aMn-9BdC1sL5eKiyN9bXI9uB2F5I6XEoUjjBa1ksauZBbrE/s1600/Agave+6.7.15+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pEFcOv9u7x_W-vcSQ-sgIQuK44LFi8kC9qMyJcJLEKCLFMjwwxODq8aiQvmlhbSPrS1A7HpAWfmofb8Jmf-1MNrjqHx4aMn-9BdC1sL5eKiyN9bXI9uB2F5I6XEoUjjBa1ksauZBbrE/s400/Agave+6.7.15+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Crazy!</div>
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All those cloudy days brought something else wonderful - glorious sunsets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUIeiPu1C2cm6ryUV_o-n0q_OEqxDafY_dqwnZJEeezmq_z9m-bOq3VpC5iB6BLnLS1SzPwDKss0n91nGAf4r-Z5HRle2GBVHF3lbZadPihpyiwGlp9qqUnyy80NqU0PYCtU06oQQB84/s1600/Agave+6.7.15+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUIeiPu1C2cm6ryUV_o-n0q_OEqxDafY_dqwnZJEeezmq_z9m-bOq3VpC5iB6BLnLS1SzPwDKss0n91nGAf4r-Z5HRle2GBVHF3lbZadPihpyiwGlp9qqUnyy80NqU0PYCtU06oQQB84/s400/Agave+6.7.15+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a new flower for my garden this year. I got a start from a friend, stuck it in the ground and . . . Voila!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RUw_ZMGlBRpb_QvADIP4EVXiPUmFbexh5vr_laXvRC7JctNUdeFoS_PNXwFRyeIupnN_gHDJDc3Xq7o6_vhLv219bLo7QkbJgU9ZRnJbtR1zixSquyThGd4VS_Qt0Cmbws_aE7HERfI/s1600/Agave+5.29.15+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RUw_ZMGlBRpb_QvADIP4EVXiPUmFbexh5vr_laXvRC7JctNUdeFoS_PNXwFRyeIupnN_gHDJDc3Xq7o6_vhLv219bLo7QkbJgU9ZRnJbtR1zixSquyThGd4VS_Qt0Cmbws_aE7HERfI/s400/Agave+5.29.15+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Harissia cactus<br /></span></td></tr>
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Until next time . . . whenever that might be!<br />
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Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-62676713583655802582014-12-13T08:23:00.000-07:002014-12-13T08:23:42.834-07:00Holiday Greetings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtbY-Rg7GhFAk3OpPZfh0rT27AkHtPRgpW-UK6o8Ai9JrISrhxjeNb5za_A7iYAaCSgG12cAIpMasa9p0VjuwsNW6PQzrjKv0HTOFjWECFi5egi6MnMoW8khxhRzxmOHXoOovl6qWJw4/s1600/Holiday+2014-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtbY-Rg7GhFAk3OpPZfh0rT27AkHtPRgpW-UK6o8Ai9JrISrhxjeNb5za_A7iYAaCSgG12cAIpMasa9p0VjuwsNW6PQzrjKv0HTOFjWECFi5egi6MnMoW8khxhRzxmOHXoOovl6qWJw4/s1600/Holiday+2014-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's wishing you joyous holidays, and a New Year filled with the beauty of nature and the love of family and friends. Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-86614577450741533122014-11-17T08:23:00.001-07:002014-11-17T12:34:02.945-07:00Jungle Fever<br />
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What do you get when you add water to the desert? A jungle, of course. The Sonoran Desert is already one of the wettest deserts on earth, pushing the limits of what constitutes a desert. Ask people to give their image of a desert and they'll say, "sandy", "hot", "barren". Occasionally someone will come up with the one true and necessary component - aridity. Deserts may not be sandy, they may not be barren, often they are hot, but just as likely may be cold. They are all dry. To be a desert, a region must be dry, where potential evapotranspiration is greater than precipitation. Generally, 10" of precipitation is the upper limit for being called a desert. So, even on a normal year, we're pushing it here in the Arizona Upland division around Tucson with our annual average of 12". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvABOpyEq2UabuEKrLQ50Aa4bLJVz72FobDCtsB7sAbHCC1wQggVktb4IxTf7gABACJ49ykVVdIKJt43FCa0LUfdbw8efBpdmvpduTtZIYLpfbuj04R56OWI6H7GgKLDiM6W5CMGSXnaY/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvABOpyEq2UabuEKrLQ50Aa4bLJVz72FobDCtsB7sAbHCC1wQggVktb4IxTf7gABACJ49ykVVdIKJt43FCa0LUfdbw8efBpdmvpduTtZIYLpfbuj04R56OWI6H7GgKLDiM6W5CMGSXnaY/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+014.JPG" height="640" width="362" /></a></div>
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A couple of hurricane remnants plus a rewarding monsoon has turned our desert into a virtual jungle. As I introduce my Sonoran Desert Discovery tours at the Desert Museum and talk to people about what constitutes a desert, they look out across the landscape and see nothing but greenery. The looks turn skeptical. Desert? No Way!<br />
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Even now, in November, when other parts of the country are shivering and shoveling snow, the greenery dominates our views. Wildflowers still bloom. The cold-deciduous acacias and mesquites have given no thought to losing their leaves. Butterflies are abundant and very active. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kJ1rGWqpErJM-qnmltA5LNfjlNuq_uEn9V6KvjlbFglX2BufDcR9enbHEKeTnc-uPawqr7USNO8-5qqVadhopq89yPDD_oeLrLcOMtQ1A7W64wB6XAxLEFOuvP2X6sOq6hbLhbkvh9g/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kJ1rGWqpErJM-qnmltA5LNfjlNuq_uEn9V6KvjlbFglX2BufDcR9enbHEKeTnc-uPawqr7USNO8-5qqVadhopq89yPDD_oeLrLcOMtQ1A7W64wB6XAxLEFOuvP2X6sOq6hbLhbkvh9g/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+035.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion Flower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE8tn3CKTfSVr5YyZ4UTCNdhcvVetoFPXsgZN6Zlk8ZX6DLchdcH9GAm8IHQQNsQCjekv3dCqobJC1yMhykzuwwUKtz_H1pB4xBM2dZImU2HX7EGNBih4EJlZxrZhjv98rB0V0hWE9nE/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE8tn3CKTfSVr5YyZ4UTCNdhcvVetoFPXsgZN6Zlk8ZX6DLchdcH9GAm8IHQQNsQCjekv3dCqobJC1yMhykzuwwUKtz_H1pB4xBM2dZImU2HX7EGNBih4EJlZxrZhjv98rB0V0hWE9nE/s1600/Agave+11.14.14+042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen on Milkweed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapGqwtkaOHWYIEmfYte-apy6W1qOICSnVn6ozYBVJqhgHNqjM8fIYCJSVkEfpkC0oh1wWsomiqQw_h617ynLQt4Mv3UlDNgSriLLZxL4Ug6W02nWiLvRsjgZcxU8obJJxDxiG_3RntfQ/s1600/ASDM+11.7.14+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapGqwtkaOHWYIEmfYte-apy6W1qOICSnVn6ozYBVJqhgHNqjM8fIYCJSVkEfpkC0oh1wWsomiqQw_h617ynLQt4Mv3UlDNgSriLLZxL4Ug6W02nWiLvRsjgZcxU8obJJxDxiG_3RntfQ/s1600/ASDM+11.7.14+027.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Dogface nectaring on <i>Lagascea decipiens</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkIMLMa_bd6xj-K23I_-KXUydKI3x2ftBh0lGSPkJ-nrmFFyslIROuBsBcKEqHvIMxkGNWT83n9QViVwbb38NloF3EjzbjoVBeNYd9tDHqGA1p53361anbzz7x5nG5AmQUIvb1skbGz0/s1600/ASDM+10.24.14+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkIMLMa_bd6xj-K23I_-KXUydKI3x2ftBh0lGSPkJ-nrmFFyslIROuBsBcKEqHvIMxkGNWT83n9QViVwbb38NloF3EjzbjoVBeNYd9tDHqGA1p53361anbzz7x5nG5AmQUIvb1skbGz0/s1600/ASDM+10.24.14+022.JPG" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bordered Patch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XCQWjl1gQdc9sXcHVakdYoFx9OXMTTb8TmwP64G6327t_7iWpNCdcM_JtyGGtgmQApHGx8WLrN_vbf-vRoRUBo2yqvsXeOFoeV3gGS-K5saUb4VKGJNwRFXqNyPQyK6OZcpYk6Bhn-s/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XCQWjl1gQdc9sXcHVakdYoFx9OXMTTb8TmwP64G6327t_7iWpNCdcM_JtyGGtgmQApHGx8WLrN_vbf-vRoRUBo2yqvsXeOFoeV3gGS-K5saUb4VKGJNwRFXqNyPQyK6OZcpYk6Bhn-s/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+025.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bahia absinthifolia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI8azXbMWQxdJ1A_Ct44YCXnNpeHp7Gh4ju9C1iiOrbsfxAvZyeWV2DzxZxeW_IIZ-jeBGL_aZK_tWmMwUPTV7T6zj2Nh7MfQihbVasqqD7E_d7qwfeF3L27xV6ScM1YVgI6xwIYU1rE/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI8azXbMWQxdJ1A_Ct44YCXnNpeHp7Gh4ju9C1iiOrbsfxAvZyeWV2DzxZxeW_IIZ-jeBGL_aZK_tWmMwUPTV7T6zj2Nh7MfQihbVasqqD7E_d7qwfeF3L27xV6ScM1YVgI6xwIYU1rE/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+028.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Paperflower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1ArC2-FIW5-1fJ5prQMBrodYzIhO8lCbNkC3AUJe2-cyKx5ygfuw7RnfHoS0BloShkkizL0r_Vva8sc0ftc4FPv4Yty_X6erweYa_g3b1ON0qL2u4BqId-Rfpt1KTLHEB1uqhAAUEs/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1ArC2-FIW5-1fJ5prQMBrodYzIhO8lCbNkC3AUJe2-cyKx5ygfuw7RnfHoS0BloShkkizL0r_Vva8sc0ftc4FPv4Yty_X6erweYa_g3b1ON0qL2u4BqId-Rfpt1KTLHEB1uqhAAUEs/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+032.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><ol data-ved="0CGkQ_xc">
<li class="mod" data-ved="0CI8BEJApMBQ" style="clear: none;"><div class="_eFb">
<div class="_mr kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0CJABEMsTKAAwFA">
<span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><i>Thymophylla pentachaeta</i></span></div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz-g0_7wsrh1cZdpfjOe6CPiMMYJFaLFHygmUM3xiY9RfITK-9ekBA80RTxZkdhyL3ofltFF_RvDfCkLHZGqWbG6ESVE9t_Fy6XHaDkY-zV1pnPFM0TLTCknjrB0LAht7E0oyMoTBYCc/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz-g0_7wsrh1cZdpfjOe6CPiMMYJFaLFHygmUM3xiY9RfITK-9ekBA80RTxZkdhyL3ofltFF_RvDfCkLHZGqWbG6ESVE9t_Fy6XHaDkY-zV1pnPFM0TLTCknjrB0LAht7E0oyMoTBYCc/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+030.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacred Datura</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I led the Butterfly Walk at the Desert Museum last Friday and my two guests from Ohio were boggled by the number and variety we saw. I believe our count was close to 20 species, even including a lone Monarch. Monarchs are not common here, though we do see them in small numbers. Much more common is the Monarch relative, the Queen, another of the milkweed butterflies. Many sulphurs, blues, hairstreaks, ladies, Empress Leilia, American Snouts, and more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsnK4yjZQXCpuaEBm52JA3TpzsU-D_BVAOeR-HRnAVj4Fq7Hye2Qhbm2wi-HDVUNeJGzu7zZxlU28RXPfHHnxglknfHQ2l1qqQXlwl-D4x0Vk_2ZsXSBQkBDGlhSr57b0QqOWdAcA7Ts/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsnK4yjZQXCpuaEBm52JA3TpzsU-D_BVAOeR-HRnAVj4Fq7Hye2Qhbm2wi-HDVUNeJGzu7zZxlU28RXPfHHnxglknfHQ2l1qqQXlwl-D4x0Vk_2ZsXSBQkBDGlhSr57b0QqOWdAcA7Ts/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+049.JPG" height="345" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Dogface Butterfly (see the poodle head?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQygaFkjkGikFNvz7nD_PMg-aMFx4gGVB420pvfcmbl30D7-iebuGZiva4PSUBB6ecGeazRBa3LsZnPlv3voVrEhyphenhyphenFH4JVfM8SYUDDXZI5V4mbIgLgzXnHtUpMQ91n44CuLHOndUnJY8/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQygaFkjkGikFNvz7nD_PMg-aMFx4gGVB420pvfcmbl30D7-iebuGZiva4PSUBB6ecGeazRBa3LsZnPlv3voVrEhyphenhyphenFH4JVfM8SYUDDXZI5V4mbIgLgzXnHtUpMQ91n44CuLHOndUnJY8/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+058.JPG" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bordered Patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J6CB7wesdAX9FhvrdkLplCOCuaEDomKNTrtnT9dzyxjxwx8wB4CgFE7bhUKMp7vbB0zLLgXcqjTEPgAJM-Gi2YcgXf0qDLTROS-ObzAC0UKa02VOjgOr1IPK3F99vL15Sz88tfw1qBc/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J6CB7wesdAX9FhvrdkLplCOCuaEDomKNTrtnT9dzyxjxwx8wB4CgFE7bhUKMp7vbB0zLLgXcqjTEPgAJM-Gi2YcgXf0qDLTROS-ObzAC0UKa02VOjgOr1IPK3F99vL15Sz88tfw1qBc/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+027.JPG" height="362" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudless Sulphur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAv8Zx3qNqQAplfwCMC47UJcrS6J3Uuc_hu7W-121ZacJiM-9tw_a8Op-iirXqpBnjXf1mjDn4lHmGTTyG0Anr-r2ClbtTuMzYCNSmZL_C4zLwkr273GVeUj3ViDq6Xoi7gQYgKgs3Sk/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAv8Zx3qNqQAplfwCMC47UJcrS6J3Uuc_hu7W-121ZacJiM-9tw_a8Op-iirXqpBnjXf1mjDn4lHmGTTyG0Anr-r2ClbtTuMzYCNSmZL_C4zLwkr273GVeUj3ViDq6Xoi7gQYgKgs3Sk/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+038.JPG" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz4ryeVEwSIEvljjAzWFr3i_LYZL5eDXNye7DLdg6TnWsKfB1AA0wR-xJq6EWVfGkbv8ai3P1TumaG9TgF920ozJd0a1MfVHln6w99VtpUotntByDsXBVRlEwEFnPeanFjRyZ9yUBcds/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz4ryeVEwSIEvljjAzWFr3i_LYZL5eDXNye7DLdg6TnWsKfB1AA0wR-xJq6EWVfGkbv8ai3P1TumaG9TgF920ozJd0a1MfVHln6w99VtpUotntByDsXBVRlEwEFnPeanFjRyZ9yUBcds/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+040.JPG" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbcczCXwve5CKkDiBWHDfd4K4ZSJkoBWONXllxNID4wA2ncerNAM-zHc7692vooKvV7NYnXEe37l-Wt4NwWBWGxmVwRvFFboqnhsqA9fLDGsYxG8QlfI4wZhI-0pX048T_L7xwEXhPJs/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbcczCXwve5CKkDiBWHDfd4K4ZSJkoBWONXllxNID4wA2ncerNAM-zHc7692vooKvV7NYnXEe37l-Wt4NwWBWGxmVwRvFFboqnhsqA9fLDGsYxG8QlfI4wZhI-0pX048T_L7xwEXhPJs/s1600/Agave+10.3.14+046.JPG" height="358" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Winter will inevitably come. Until then, this is our every day. Fiery skies awake us to another glorious day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlSVNkWuOJWYdFO7_O5ZYyf61h8OSXPM5C1FW9QVZM2X6Iv_eHSbGbUYjS0sGy-okCPBYle3WDYc8_Aym3M_yQItLn-VTQwtGjdMt9No0gdoArqspBs9Ewdausc8Eh8SsXuwfcCQxaJA/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlSVNkWuOJWYdFO7_O5ZYyf61h8OSXPM5C1FW9QVZM2X6Iv_eHSbGbUYjS0sGy-okCPBYle3WDYc8_Aym3M_yQItLn-VTQwtGjdMt9No0gdoArqspBs9Ewdausc8Eh8SsXuwfcCQxaJA/s1600/Agave+10.11.14+019.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another blast of color signals the day's close.<br />
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The desert is happy!Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-38622801595496186212014-05-31T16:38:00.002-07:002014-06-02T07:10:04.545-07:00Verde Valley Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiQ2qpDbMwLqWZTXKDONnjlQMoFjCv0Hbt81UAW5IBFqoQg8k710bYFz-_9ushQmR9o_UaFicVRiTZZ7oJFWsMv7G2cM167UpDD0p9tyFD-l-5fWFr9s714qvNXGF3r8X_iRWhVRu5rg/s1600/Cottonwood+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiQ2qpDbMwLqWZTXKDONnjlQMoFjCv0Hbt81UAW5IBFqoQg8k710bYFz-_9ushQmR9o_UaFicVRiTZZ7oJFWsMv7G2cM167UpDD0p9tyFD-l-5fWFr9s714qvNXGF3r8X_iRWhVRu5rg/s1600/Cottonwood+025.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love to go exploring, whether it be across the world, or just across the state. There's always something new to see. And so it was with this short trip to central Arizona's Verde Valley, where the upper Sonoran Desert meets the lush riparian oasis of the Verde River. The Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood was to be our home for a few days, and what a lovely one it was. The park encompasses a section of the river as well as the desert above. Our campsite sat on a hillside overlooking the valley and the town. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-FINXMg_agd4ya80dpjC6GqFfhBLIs_dRiPwztvochGEkpJJufeJOZCnreHqFyoVW6Xd3Riqegd2EAfTZbWLu33LeAexKZCJKIInTCJbpR-NJkgJ_YZOU451k0wKxfu5nljyq0v_qrw/s1600/Cottonwood+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-FINXMg_agd4ya80dpjC6GqFfhBLIs_dRiPwztvochGEkpJJufeJOZCnreHqFyoVW6Xd3Riqegd2EAfTZbWLu33LeAexKZCJKIInTCJbpR-NJkgJ_YZOU451k0wKxfu5nljyq0v_qrw/s1600/Cottonwood+086.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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With water and electricity at the sites, a nearby town and excellent cell service, it's not exactly wilderness. But the sites are huge and well-separated and there are many excellent trails leading right from the campground. At close to 3500' in elevation, the desert vegetation is somewhat different than around Tucson, almost 1000' lower. The saguaros have disappeared as have the barrel cacti, but I did see chollas, some prickly pear and hedgehogs. The vegetation is dominated by crucifixion thorn (Castela emoryi), catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii), mesquite and juniper, as well as grasses, yucca, ephedra, ratany and more. With the cooler temperatures, there were still some wildflowers blooming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLGjlpnz4wicwFdWWaAZAWSv0PsYaP_ZlVGGN358BqZBLgHt0U3JQ2B9GQEuM-qx3ZqgQ__MIftNcMXDEyOnw7AM9nCKeuYmfbvjdu9MiIYP6DCvSnXsvsNPAn_TjGZruxqqUH0cnw3E/s1600/Cottonwood+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLGjlpnz4wicwFdWWaAZAWSv0PsYaP_ZlVGGN358BqZBLgHt0U3JQ2B9GQEuM-qx3ZqgQ__MIftNcMXDEyOnw7AM9nCKeuYmfbvjdu9MiIYP6DCvSnXsvsNPAn_TjGZruxqqUH0cnw3E/s1600/Cottonwood+075.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (<i>Echinocereus engelmannii</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbRMtwl2nWabHDAodwyA0gY2uLoWBOJTqsNKvADAumh0rfXbhv1dw75fJyNDfu2yRQQ7YMwIQ9Vkej7Jvf-uV86CMrVih_HDGdNwP_585VNTwXZDRk-FMGP718xeDERieij5eKiQS0PI/s1600/Cottonwood+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbRMtwl2nWabHDAodwyA0gY2uLoWBOJTqsNKvADAumh0rfXbhv1dw75fJyNDfu2yRQQ7YMwIQ9Vkej7Jvf-uV86CMrVih_HDGdNwP_585VNTwXZDRk-FMGP718xeDERieij5eKiQS0PI/s1600/Cottonwood+004.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silverleaf Nightshade (<i>Solanum elaeagnifolium</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCKcaN-Vz61NJkAEezpNfBUezr7FEfS74qSPOVLBxEoQBUhjE1Y0JSDHtasj2ExC1R5hbzcRk5sgdxm514MwnmDeLs9pPpyV9Q2IH9mDQ2FboS6WJdLJ2mrnVrpbD6Dq8ddreRLV0xBM/s1600/Cottonwood+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCKcaN-Vz61NJkAEezpNfBUezr7FEfS74qSPOVLBxEoQBUhjE1Y0JSDHtasj2ExC1R5hbzcRk5sgdxm514MwnmDeLs9pPpyV9Q2IH9mDQ2FboS6WJdLJ2mrnVrpbD6Dq8ddreRLV0xBM/s1600/Cottonwood+005.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Gaura (<i>Gaura coccinea)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEB2QtNAQ1Kd0tzF7k9T1cb99f4vYnLMOzEvdPE2OSl5lOeC0k7D4eeSJYZrNTHIPHclmMNiQY3c9gznYZ8Q8aa2K8BTCTxxDU2wJweOXYhDseQtv8hJgY2Z-pZs00JrdwMhRTK_oL_8/s1600/Cottonwood+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEB2QtNAQ1Kd0tzF7k9T1cb99f4vYnLMOzEvdPE2OSl5lOeC0k7D4eeSJYZrNTHIPHclmMNiQY3c9gznYZ8Q8aa2K8BTCTxxDU2wJweOXYhDseQtv8hJgY2Z-pZs00JrdwMhRTK_oL_8/s1600/Cottonwood+008.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ratany (<i>Krameria sp.</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOwEj3zTzFKafPowxKkBGbrvLTpyHzAS4UTzq4zHmzeEUOr58LnCM0L596miZKhV-Pt8kMgpo8C5WL10440W_iiPQu99xdaprIPHTHDjgTSAu2QpN2IpVheKgxUPLPZ2m7qhZB6_bngM/s1600/Cottonwood+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOwEj3zTzFKafPowxKkBGbrvLTpyHzAS4UTzq4zHmzeEUOr58LnCM0L596miZKhV-Pt8kMgpo8C5WL10440W_iiPQu99xdaprIPHTHDjgTSAu2QpN2IpVheKgxUPLPZ2m7qhZB6_bngM/s1600/Cottonwood+028.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaptree Yucca (<i>Yucca elata</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyemWfYtmZioY5jXVMLhdd2kBJ0Y_Pzt1BXMAwdd5dEJbUsqRcsFLdtTF5I8d0h1lF0B5AHJMFpzgbMLJmcUTLR8dppUkMUjMxGSmmwiyOBSdqgokIe_15WVvFAIWSeqGM6P7yxkQoOM/s1600/Cottonwood+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyemWfYtmZioY5jXVMLhdd2kBJ0Y_Pzt1BXMAwdd5dEJbUsqRcsFLdtTF5I8d0h1lF0B5AHJMFpzgbMLJmcUTLR8dppUkMUjMxGSmmwiyOBSdqgokIe_15WVvFAIWSeqGM6P7yxkQoOM/s1600/Cottonwood+016.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwestern Ringstem (<i>Anulocaulis leiosolenus)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0u-P2uo-neGa6xauWGDxSvvX9Xd73kQBtUi098nYQ3nDO9fCphhkIymRGejxwm5vj_4UBUAF0f8oUMTIICrlC-gzrIy5HAPQ3zjZh_re2boZzxhLSH_1spilDn2Szwp7m61bWJ6P0AE/s1600/Cottonwood+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0u-P2uo-neGa6xauWGDxSvvX9Xd73kQBtUi098nYQ3nDO9fCphhkIymRGejxwm5vj_4UBUAF0f8oUMTIICrlC-gzrIy5HAPQ3zjZh_re2boZzxhLSH_1spilDn2Szwp7m61bWJ6P0AE/s1600/Cottonwood+018.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwestern Ringstem (<i>Anulocaulis leiosolenus)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUinb5SyD_pKDNWv3rwiwPOd9uzJ4DFlPb37gJs-tg2uWm0_32kcyyZJ2w2P2Ym8hnMX5jFutcG8bu6AShJ8jIuxP_WoHaKQW21ZACnUOX7uHB-hYFnMhqXN3ebMtf_kqV0oO-r42s0Qk/s1600/Cottonwood+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUinb5SyD_pKDNWv3rwiwPOd9uzJ4DFlPb37gJs-tg2uWm0_32kcyyZJ2w2P2Ym8hnMX5jFutcG8bu6AShJ8jIuxP_WoHaKQW21ZACnUOX7uHB-hYFnMhqXN3ebMtf_kqV0oO-r42s0Qk/s1600/Cottonwood+026.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackfoot Daisy (<i>Melampodum leucanthum)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviu4prjrlrMEUVio45IVYnMcRBXGkP0elWD4dHxgnNKThZQTBpFsaDeAtgrQbBKITYL_V0r499ArnI7qtqLaDDESxucwOZ3iDXF9uH7lT9EeSxNRc3hkMvxP3CEE4K-4c-vcqoz_6Mt0/s1600/Cottonwood+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviu4prjrlrMEUVio45IVYnMcRBXGkP0elWD4dHxgnNKThZQTBpFsaDeAtgrQbBKITYL_V0r499ArnI7qtqLaDDESxucwOZ3iDXF9uH7lT9EeSxNRc3hkMvxP3CEE4K-4c-vcqoz_6Mt0/s1600/Cottonwood+019.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico Feathergrass (<i>Hesperostipa newomexicana</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAAATwGqerjfaPPNE-ztvsDFKSf_q-0dRGeW8dX8QB4JPnDt3Z9a1yhO8xrgm4V7b1j9YMg4sBgteOAQdCyQXGy9WV9mj-dU_dmspI6_w6zlFDAu6LH38MnkCC1UADbaH8AafNEKQF5U/s1600/Cottonwood+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAAATwGqerjfaPPNE-ztvsDFKSf_q-0dRGeW8dX8QB4JPnDt3Z9a1yhO8xrgm4V7b1j9YMg4sBgteOAQdCyQXGy9WV9mj-dU_dmspI6_w6zlFDAu6LH38MnkCC1UADbaH8AafNEKQF5U/s1600/Cottonwood+048.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Three-awn Grass (<i>Aristida purpurea</i>)</td></tr>
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Wrap-around views from the trails made every hike a treat for the eyes, and the camera. Below us, the green ribbon of the Verde River's lush riparian corridor, across the valley, the scars of copper mining and the towns it created, all around in the near distance the quiet of the desert. On a hilltop just a few miles away, the ancient ruins of a native pueblo, now preserved by the National Park Service as Tuzigoot National Monument. <br />
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Our travels included a visit to Tuzigoot to learn how the ancient peoples lived in this valley for centuries; to Jerome, perched perilously on the mountainside, old buildings that once served a big mining community now repurposed for galleries, shops, restaurants and inns; Old Town Cottonwood where we discovered an amazing array of quality restaurants; and to Sedona, land of the red rocks and vortices that has been overrun with people. From Jerome, we spotted the huge plumes of smoke that could only mean wildfire. We were to learn the fire was burning in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, which runs between Sedona and Flagstaff. It burns to this day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs30r2WZ9188Y_05YDwblE-v_Y2-Dkpb7CFOztd364MXVLu6G7uWkpg-P1hRMJJzpGXAH8Eob2ZSwBuJao2Bmsw-aKSkxIZZernUfAqI78u6ChbZNowHZOFg-gaCmvd8O5GZESFSesPvQ/s1600/Cottonwood+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs30r2WZ9188Y_05YDwblE-v_Y2-Dkpb7CFOztd364MXVLu6G7uWkpg-P1hRMJJzpGXAH8Eob2ZSwBuJao2Bmsw-aKSkxIZZernUfAqI78u6ChbZNowHZOFg-gaCmvd8O5GZESFSesPvQ/s1600/Cottonwood+011.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former mining town of Jerome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTVpd-04w6pVP8ZdNy_DIrVhTvhZbQwoo-EaxqKjSCx8BhR6LRy5iu7JsKc6V65mTU6pPE9G020TIF_sEcrPXBcaRXoT58U6U-0a9eP_0uKPGqUcSoUfF2C3ymQbWpOPbH5ugMOxNCmQ/s1600/Cottonwood+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTVpd-04w6pVP8ZdNy_DIrVhTvhZbQwoo-EaxqKjSCx8BhR6LRy5iu7JsKc6V65mTU6pPE9G020TIF_sEcrPXBcaRXoT58U6U-0a9eP_0uKPGqUcSoUfF2C3ymQbWpOPbH5ugMOxNCmQ/s1600/Cottonwood+037.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Verde Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU6JqYT_5m7YycBvPjXmsqPVrYGrzeib_pukkvPjb_Rx4XFCJ27cwcB-bQ_K1M_EveJ0Nkgxf4CiDpAyBmAT4TFBzNE4Qx-YaSQj50lNmGmSAszV8z-fyVjxx_CRnrQuIso0M_-egLxU/s1600/Cottonwood+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU6JqYT_5m7YycBvPjXmsqPVrYGrzeib_pukkvPjb_Rx4XFCJ27cwcB-bQ_K1M_EveJ0Nkgxf4CiDpAyBmAT4TFBzNE4Qx-YaSQj50lNmGmSAszV8z-fyVjxx_CRnrQuIso0M_-egLxU/s1600/Cottonwood+081.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuzigoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ59kL8xp6VujL39wNbBhU5HbZ-IqP3FLzl5kVgFsGt9KqQHvHV2zDNsg5S-UHYmK6M5D_cdxQ46u-BfynR69S6cGBA1tMN6lk3F46MHwNaFyILZR1fmJSCmYNh3DOURs2si9vchLgUeQ/s1600/Cottonwood+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ59kL8xp6VujL39wNbBhU5HbZ-IqP3FLzl5kVgFsGt9KqQHvHV2zDNsg5S-UHYmK6M5D_cdxQ46u-BfynR69S6cGBA1tMN6lk3F46MHwNaFyILZR1fmJSCmYNh3DOURs2si9vchLgUeQ/s1600/Cottonwood+058.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla at Tuzigoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPfVo9QXGQUVu15FTbQtBeGPOmXP1vwfngVtO8zgOVx6SzcZWkZs8kTGIr5CYrV-tvCXsaP5J4Jf6HFulwlYed2iP6nwLBR3yy0kzJU_KkWMs6ViI8Up8YVOYLBBmvkxXUegZvMfYv5k/s1600/Cottonwood+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPfVo9QXGQUVu15FTbQtBeGPOmXP1vwfngVtO8zgOVx6SzcZWkZs8kTGIr5CYrV-tvCXsaP5J4Jf6HFulwlYed2iP6nwLBR3yy0kzJU_KkWMs6ViI8Up8YVOYLBBmvkxXUegZvMfYv5k/s1600/Cottonwood+065.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the roof of Tuzigoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOymw8TaIlKS6ZyKo0Ev2wolWuvrULzn0MXTJ7FPC66ZOTQ7JMDMPEG0HvBRPrLOCLGH6DBJbYcvbl3vsMHhowgMGra6NDdKxGKFQy0Yoo-FkhzHRrZDji0vaWz0XhW29JtvPqD6L5Yw/s1600/Cottonwood+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOymw8TaIlKS6ZyKo0Ev2wolWuvrULzn0MXTJ7FPC66ZOTQ7JMDMPEG0HvBRPrLOCLGH6DBJbYcvbl3vsMHhowgMGra6NDdKxGKFQy0Yoo-FkhzHRrZDji0vaWz0XhW29JtvPqD6L5Yw/s1600/Cottonwood+096.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhBvCsrRVwOVy0KY8OKh3d6QFAQ_jBSltLcLWtF62ozqQIQj2B2aiDoPTRPjJJBd4_GPocyjzBk6nsxBKmBz8bQw3KNZTptsveU3pPs7NfCPQsQ49hpIaRVXq6so7x9r9tIauEvz7f2s/s1600/Cottonwood+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhBvCsrRVwOVy0KY8OKh3d6QFAQ_jBSltLcLWtF62ozqQIQj2B2aiDoPTRPjJJBd4_GPocyjzBk6nsxBKmBz8bQw3KNZTptsveU3pPs7NfCPQsQ49hpIaRVXq6so7x9r9tIauEvz7f2s/s1600/Cottonwood+099.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to Sedona, smoke rising from the Slide Fire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCXZrynS9gyjA_TCQQ6NuD-oKNF8sb1f40X_BzaqbC3nJ8r0TKTq1zCt9v8rXvAClIwDYsDttmY_M9841ihbEmrF5d4EAdY9UBdAA-dDzYN73_6FjsNCrtumOLjCIhjv7NTsx2vnZ0b4/s1600/Cottonwood+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCXZrynS9gyjA_TCQQ6NuD-oKNF8sb1f40X_BzaqbC3nJ8r0TKTq1zCt9v8rXvAClIwDYsDttmY_M9841ihbEmrF5d4EAdY9UBdAA-dDzYN73_6FjsNCrtumOLjCIhjv7NTsx2vnZ0b4/s1600/Cottonwood+111.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red rocks and Cholla flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxzj-LESQ7p2C4ON_WXV_hTVioFHNtgsPIl1xUX1VOPTI25jli7ebAfFOd6O8HrdQfKjpcQF0rcyvdF40Hf96S-H6RSXOMiPBSbnv5HuTqwENteAFZKagr3QOYmX1y6-Tqg0csfUmuvs/s1600/Cottonwood+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxzj-LESQ7p2C4ON_WXV_hTVioFHNtgsPIl1xUX1VOPTI25jli7ebAfFOd6O8HrdQfKjpcQF0rcyvdF40Hf96S-H6RSXOMiPBSbnv5HuTqwENteAFZKagr3QOYmX1y6-Tqg0csfUmuvs/s1600/Cottonwood+113.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cascade of primroses, Sedona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEYsIfIEkZPJ_YNAsMPuqTIFz1U4D7PnGkgHNaHth4aiKAa24Cu9lxa_Yfq4NnBCIC9-Dy_25cxT68Bb_k1zqF9yxyzFTCtqtljkpaVnpKDrYIyWyqiIs28WlS6HSX1zlLFSpTN0katM/s1600/Cottonwood+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEYsIfIEkZPJ_YNAsMPuqTIFz1U4D7PnGkgHNaHth4aiKAa24Cu9lxa_Yfq4NnBCIC9-Dy_25cxT68Bb_k1zqF9yxyzFTCtqtljkpaVnpKDrYIyWyqiIs28WlS6HSX1zlLFSpTN0katM/s1600/Cottonwood+118.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carole and Jay, Sedona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL9aNia7HmO2ict_oCXt31GI_1OFeBcJdiNbYz9RYjvH6RTZu6v8h2KkuVFgd3fdzXpQs3j6rAdmd4SjcLn9oz8X_IXOF3XoHxkiiClK48uGVI9QXb7AGvMPWZ_DwfD_3ir8TC2li1Js/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL9aNia7HmO2ict_oCXt31GI_1OFeBcJdiNbYz9RYjvH6RTZu6v8h2KkuVFgd3fdzXpQs3j6rAdmd4SjcLn9oz8X_IXOF3XoHxkiiClK48uGVI9QXb7AGvMPWZ_DwfD_3ir8TC2li1Js/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fabulous dinner at the Schoolhouse restaurant in Old Cottonwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In between, we hiked along the river and to a peaceful marsh, across the desert and back again. New birds, new flowers, new sights and sounds. Along the Verde River is a cottonwood-willow riparian habitat rich in biodiversity. I was entertained with the antics of nervous little Lucy's warblers, bright yellow Wilson's warblers, flocks of stunning Western tanagers and so many summering phainopeplas.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1hUDp3mYyFnbR0aI7z7FhPkQE97e_wbdCVC-8DugV8GOYAA1DTaf_9xZMcxeRWIdNLFkjn039dIuxOsJUHopqRBzon4RzHqTREWl-rNCf6UKC4kLU97ptKcX6i1faQ56Vl0RE85inSQ/s1600/Cottonwood+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1hUDp3mYyFnbR0aI7z7FhPkQE97e_wbdCVC-8DugV8GOYAA1DTaf_9xZMcxeRWIdNLFkjn039dIuxOsJUHopqRBzon4RzHqTREWl-rNCf6UKC4kLU97ptKcX6i1faQ56Vl0RE85inSQ/s1600/Cottonwood+051.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Verde River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJspJzKfSjzIzcDO_w6Wh0G4lOyUkztJNQWWlBaKqluCJRKz6LlW-HSy6HQHDS8S5obRvb_w5OLp2Ouap6wXSjwiheYO3AT5itHE41bPKpmPPm4Hp4GqgbIq262WW8Iv0NK7thwkH0J8/s1600/Cottonwood+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJspJzKfSjzIzcDO_w6Wh0G4lOyUkztJNQWWlBaKqluCJRKz6LlW-HSy6HQHDS8S5obRvb_w5OLp2Ouap6wXSjwiheYO3AT5itHE41bPKpmPPm4Hp4GqgbIq262WW8Iv0NK7thwkH0J8/s1600/Cottonwood+084.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tavasci Marsh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9pjXs1RJ6nxVJO6bFzKgH4ZgyJLP9mcht66qcTBebeZmSNwVL6Ahd8gdeYWnbE7HYt190UkALArNpAGwo29VJtc9rYfd5Y50sVZlYcuXZAJa5OO4WS37d84ECfyjxEF-OrEQ5NHeZI/s1600/Cottonwood+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9pjXs1RJ6nxVJO6bFzKgH4ZgyJLP9mcht66qcTBebeZmSNwVL6Ahd8gdeYWnbE7HYt190UkALArNpAGwo29VJtc9rYfd5Y50sVZlYcuXZAJa5OO4WS37d84ECfyjxEF-OrEQ5NHeZI/s1600/Cottonwood+132.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Globemallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cWTiqjxj3UkJNheRdURPGzyYP88XFSh9Uq5CDapH3xuNzGgOm8YdRiN9J-ilWwQbNgFNH2SwoajLwkwFZ0OATnV7cIW2_XhndweaRO1JA9IcI6es4_uBhJ3EW7Bq8QBmjPkMUgib2GE/s1600/Cottonwood+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cWTiqjxj3UkJNheRdURPGzyYP88XFSh9Uq5CDapH3xuNzGgOm8YdRiN9J-ilWwQbNgFNH2SwoajLwkwFZ0OATnV7cIW2_XhndweaRO1JA9IcI6es4_uBhJ3EW7Bq8QBmjPkMUgib2GE/s1600/Cottonwood+133.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacred Datura</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AQODC6RI0pZTWrPl4cCOv-bFuTTNKXd8tatOhvaNF4qLcO713eJMl02ncx0ZRNcUooLNAGH_43w1yrZXpP2DtUOmE1flNo6RZ98OuGA3g-MZplM71Tvs7CfZlIv8HFKdL5gpn5m9MGU/s1600/Cottonwood+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AQODC6RI0pZTWrPl4cCOv-bFuTTNKXd8tatOhvaNF4qLcO713eJMl02ncx0ZRNcUooLNAGH_43w1yrZXpP2DtUOmE1flNo6RZ98OuGA3g-MZplM71Tvs7CfZlIv8HFKdL5gpn5m9MGU/s1600/Cottonwood+139.JPG" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very large and well-camouflaged gopher snake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhsekPzsrwQFh2C38o7oSXcBTRYlLYifgvsPWGSMZIkKW7VLT1jVTZ0OPCND9kWQkDG4YnFviyg5pnfeuO7MyTQTKdoYJUVdmtjGqFcrd8sauY0o3fFtj7Gw3GuKmT3Ram1POzDXBDs0/s1600/Cottonwood+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhsekPzsrwQFh2C38o7oSXcBTRYlLYifgvsPWGSMZIkKW7VLT1jVTZ0OPCND9kWQkDG4YnFviyg5pnfeuO7MyTQTKdoYJUVdmtjGqFcrd8sauY0o3fFtj7Gw3GuKmT3Ram1POzDXBDs0/s1600/Cottonwood+147.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Primrose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkp_QjtQWlh70GAvQ9dq4wscZ04n1l-UJl_N3OJtAVEjmExoNpNsYvXk6qcwaPda9VYR64MF8DiLdaeHUakT9K4jimmqGUZtfXhkQATnE820rCQC0DgCHSlF2xoUPzcMvvp-d_6kEKJU/s1600/Cottonwood+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkp_QjtQWlh70GAvQ9dq4wscZ04n1l-UJl_N3OJtAVEjmExoNpNsYvXk6qcwaPda9VYR64MF8DiLdaeHUakT9K4jimmqGUZtfXhkQATnE820rCQC0DgCHSlF2xoUPzcMvvp-d_6kEKJU/s1600/Cottonwood+153.JPG" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Black-throated Sparrow crying for its mother who was just across the trail.</td></tr>
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On the morning of our departure, smoke from the Slide Fire filled the valley, obscuring the nearby mountains and smelling of burning timber.<br />
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On a lighter note, I leave you with the parking cop at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park.<br />
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And, now for the bird list.<br />
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Bullock's Oriole<br />
Wilson's Warbler<br />
Phainopeopla<br />
Common Raven<br />
Northern Mockingbird<br />
Black-throated Sparrow<br />
House Finch<br />
Broad-tailed Hummingbird<br />
Gila Woodpecker<br />
Gambel's Quail<br />
Greater Roadrunner<br />
Red-Winged Blackbird<br />
Yellow Warbler<br />
Verdin<br />
Abert's Towhee<br />
Ash-Throated Flycatcher<br />
Western Tanager<br />
Lucy's Warbler<br />
UI Blackbird<br />
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow<br />
Lesser Nighthawk<br />
Mourning Dove<br />
White-Winged Dove<br />
Say's Phoebe<br />
Rock Wren<br />
House Wren<br />
Turkey Vulture<br />
Cormorant<br />
Lesser Goldfinch<br />
Song Sparrow<br />
Bewick's Wren<br />
Mallard<br />
Red-Tailed Hawk<br />
Green Heron<br />
Bell's Vireo<br />
Western Wood Pewee<br />
Great-tailed Grackle<br />
Costa's Hummingbird<br />
MacGillivray's Warbler<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Happy Travels to You!</span></h3>
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<br />
<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-19507191688344094132014-05-01T10:50:00.001-07:002014-05-01T10:56:09.966-07:00Blowing Into May<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWawTu4SQSHKwruiTqNyHvJHfzDPN2bCAt0EqVfBlsRo3eboFHn3DXjemcIZmuAJCDcH2aKLQl67loua3de3UTYisXCRMnjh68OmEOeeKV649GNMGOvYBkDIkxA14qd9fjdXEToWnEt0/s1600/Agave+4.27.14+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWawTu4SQSHKwruiTqNyHvJHfzDPN2bCAt0EqVfBlsRo3eboFHn3DXjemcIZmuAJCDcH2aKLQl67loua3de3UTYisXCRMnjh68OmEOeeKV649GNMGOvYBkDIkxA14qd9fjdXEToWnEt0/s1600/Agave+4.27.14+065.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummer hovering over flowering saguaro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Springtime in the desert often brings gusty winds caused by pressure ridging across the southwest. Today is especially nasty with the strong winds bringing dust so intense that we cannot see the mountains only a mile away. So, it must be a day to work on the blog. <br />
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The end of April was crazy busy with preparations and company in town for my niece's wedding. So there were bridal teas, dinners, brunches, garden tours and more. Although my niece, Amy, and her new husband live in Tucson, everyone else was from out of town, including all of my family. My house thus became the base of operations. It was wonderful to see them all, but stressful too. Especially having 13 people at the bridal tea sitting at my dining table, with room for half that many. On the weekend, the weather looked to be questionable, but turned out perfect on the day of the ceremony.<br />
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In the garden, the torch flowers have begun to bloom, the prickly pear continue their flowering and the yellow of the palo verde flowers enliven the landscape.<br />
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Nesting and migrating birds fill the yard and the neighborhood. Up the street, the Harris' hawks have chicks in the nest high up in a big eucalyptus. Harris' hawks are a social species, living year around in family groups. All the members participate in the nesting process by guarding the nest and helping to feed the chicks. <br />
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By my front door, an Anna's hummingbird chose this location for her nest. Apparently she didn't really think it through, as all the traffic in and out of our front door caused her to soon abandon the nest without laying eggs.<br />
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Tiny Gambel's quail chicks scurry after mom and dad very soon after hatching. Precocial is the term for ground-nesting birds who are ready to travel almost immediately, with feathers and eyes open. I don't think this brood was hatched in the yard, but it might have been. Often, there are up to 13 or 15 chicks in a brood, but with a high rate of mortality, perhaps 2 or 3 will survive to adulthood. <br />
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The saguaro cactus are now in full bloom, the sweet flowers attracting pollinators such as cactus bees and white-winged doves. It was a first for me to see this hummingbird feeding repeatedly from a saguaro flower.<br />
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Migrators are making their way to their summer homes, stopping for a rest in my yard. Right now I have several black-headed grosbeaks hanging around the nut feeder before heading for higher elevation. In this shot, there is a male on the left and a female on the right.</div>
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I've also had broad-tailed and broad-billed hummers stop by for sustenance, but they are much too quick for my camera to capture. <br />
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Between all the wedding events, my sister and I found time to do a little hike to some ancient petroglyphs, and then to the adjoining Saguaro National Park. <br />
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The rain clouds were gathering and the temperature dropping when we made it back to the parking area just as the first drops were falling. The light was not good to capture the lovely color of the blooming ironwood trees.<br />
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The rainstorm that ensued was all too brief to quench the parched desert, but we welcome every drop. Soon our beautiful spring will feel like summer and the rain will be a distant memory sustaining us until the summer monsoon arrives. <br />
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Here's hoping all your spring days are filled with color and beauty!Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-17515178553871583272014-04-19T16:57:00.000-07:002016-05-03T06:38:38.163-07:00Prickly Pear<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Prickly Pear<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
cactus are bursting into bloom, at the Desert Museum we're doing Wildflower Walks and Cactus Tours,
so what better time to think about the Prickly Pears. In the family Cactaceae
and the genus Opuntia, prickly pears are native only to the Americas, but are
now seen growing around the world, and are even considered invasive pests in
many places. It's easy to get confused about what cactus
are included in this genus as taxonomy is ever-changing. Chollas were traditionally included with
prickly pear in the Opuntia genus, but have now been separated into their own
genus - Cylindropuntia. Most sources now
agree that now Opuntias only include the paddle cactus or, as we know them, prickly
pears. There are approximately 200-300
species included in the genus, only a small portion of which are native to North America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Prickly
pears are typically easy to recognize with their flat, rounded stems (also
called cladodes) that are protected with two types of spines - large, smooth,
fixed spines and tiny, hairlike, barbed prickles called <i>glochids</i>. The latter easily
detach from the plant and penetrate the skin, causing annoying itch and
irritation. Some species are considered
spineless, including beavertail and Santa Rita, but all have glochids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Santa Rita pads showing glochids</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
fleshy pads are actually modified branches or stems that serve several
functions - water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. The flower buds arise from aereoles, and the
prickly pear flowers are easily recognizable as those of a cactus as they have
many tepals that intergrade with each other; many stamens and a multilobed
stigma. Yellow is the primary color of
our native prickly pear flowers. On some
species, the yellow flowers will turn a peachy color by the afternoon before
closing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
main pollinators of our prickly pears are cactus bees - several native bee species
that specialize in cactus. Cactus pollen
is gathered and then packed into the bees' burrows to feed the grubs. Once pollinated, the prickly pears produce
elongated, swollen fruit that are juicy and sweet. Large numbers of the fruit are produced in
July and August, ripening to a deep red color.
They are enjoyed by a wide variety of animals including rabbits, packrats,
javelina, deer, squirrels, desert tortoises, cactus beetles and many bird
species, all of whom help propagate the plants by disbursing the seeds. People, too, love the fruit! Also called "tunas" the fruit are
sold in many forms such as jelly, candies and lemonade. The most popular source for tunas , as well
as nopales (the young pads) is the Mexican species of prickly pear - Indian Fig
(Opuntia ficus indica). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Engelmann's
Prickly Pear Fruit<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In North America, prickly pear cactus are
found in all the deserts of the Southwest, with different species having
adapted to specific locales and elevation ranges. Most can be found in course, well-drained
soil in dry, rocky flats or slopes. But
some prefer mountain </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">pi</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ñon/juniper
forests and yet others require steep, rocky slopes in mountain foothills. The little cochineal bug played a major role in the spread of prickly pear to other continents - a fascinating story that I'll save for another day. Another player in the globalization of
prickly pear was the desire of gardeners and plant fanciers to grow exotic
species. Australia, in particular, has
suffered from the indiscriminate introduction of prickly pear from South
America. There it has become a terrible,
invasive weed whose clonal spread has been difficult to control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
recent years there has been medicinal interest in the role that the pectin in
prickly pear pulp can play in reducing levels of 'bad' cholesterol while not
affecting 'good' cholesterol levels. The
fibrous pectin in the fruit may also lower diabetics' need for insulin. Both fruit and pulp are rich in slowly
absorbed soluble fibers that may help keep blood sugar stable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
color of the stems of our native prickly pears varies from the green of
Engelmann's to the purple of Santa Rita.
The purple will be more intense in the cool, dry winter months, and a
softer blue-gray in the summer once the rains arrive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Santa Rita
Prickly Pear<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
is a great time to go exploring on the grounds for all the interesting
varieties of prickly pear in the ASDM collection. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And, thanks to the good suggestion by fellow blogger, Marilyn Kirkus, <a href="http://www.desertharvesters.org/native-plant-food-guides-the-desert-can-feed-you/prickly-pear/" target="_blank">here is a link to an excellent article on harvesting and preparing prickly pear fruit and pads.</a> Enjoy!</span></div>
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Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-31246212505568293352014-04-09T15:07:00.001-07:002014-04-09T21:18:16.352-07:00Docent DiariesNo matter what my assignment, I love my docent duties at the Desert Museum. Some jobs, however, are more fun than others. For the past two years, my friend Mary Lou and I have been the Day Captains for the Friday Docents. Which means we 'get' to spend most of our day in the office doing schedules, organizing the day, making coffee, entering data in the computer, being the in-charge people for all the docent activities for the day, cleaning up the office and lounge, and generally, as another friend put it, "herding cats". (Just try getting them all together for a photo!) Managing people is always entertaining, frustrating, interesting and normally chaotic. The reason we became docents, however, is to be out on the grounds of the Museum, talking to visitors and interpreting the Sonoran Desert. Soon my captaincy stint will be over and I'll be back out doing the really fun stuff. <br />
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Here's what our group looks like this year.<br />
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There are four or five missing. It's impossible to find a day when everyone is there, or makes it to the photo shoot on time. But, this isn't bad.<br />
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Mary Lou and I agreed that, no matter how busy we were, we would still take out our animals for one hour a day. I am certified this year on Large Raptor, which means I can take out either a Harris' hawk or a barn owl. We take them out in rotation, and on this day, it was a hawk. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rda5XYx-c1MZ09NtsjMZ9elbVi6wqcAVo3gMuOYVascNfgsTl5B4_7pnkmDAVsjWo7uIls7zsOuqmfBl0uW02nfZnLkswyXHCFAvnmhXW11Oj1BFHN1aU0KPGUkQK2Pl72OWqHQyZVg/s1600/Agave+4.4.14+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rda5XYx-c1MZ09NtsjMZ9elbVi6wqcAVo3gMuOYVascNfgsTl5B4_7pnkmDAVsjWo7uIls7zsOuqmfBl0uW02nfZnLkswyXHCFAvnmhXW11Oj1BFHN1aU0KPGUkQK2Pl72OWqHQyZVg/s1600/Agave+4.4.14+010.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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Harris' hawks are a very unique raptor that we are privileged to have as permanent residents in Southern Arizona. What sets them apart from most other birds of prey is that they are a social raptor, living together in family groups, hunting cooperatively, and all taking part in the nesting process. The younger birds from the previous brood will assist the parents in guarding the nest and bringing food for the mother and the nestlings. In each group, an alpha female will be dominant. The bird I am holding is an adult male. Males and females are colored alike, but what distinguishes them is size - the females are significantly larger. For the past several years, I have had Harris' hawks nesting in my neighborhood, and I am now seeing the female on the nest once again. Every day from October through April, the Museum flies a group of Harris' hawks in our Raptor Free Flight program. It's a thrilling experience to have one of these big birds fly so closely over your head that their feathers so briefly and gently touch you. Each year docent can choose which group of animals we want to interpret to the public. We then go through training and certification to keep our skills current. The Desert Museum is accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), which sets exacting standards for animal care and handling. <br />
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Mary Lou and I try to finish most of our duties by around 3pm, which gives us some time to go explore the grounds, talk to visitors, look for fun and interesting sights, and have a little 'play' time. April is a good time to see butterflies, as well as their larvae and pupae. Right now, the Pipevine Swallowtails are abundant in all forms. <br />
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These handsome guys are the larvae, feeding happily on pipevines,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkfQsmEtPRIq5wlubJC6YE5wO3ckI2gJwYPkrt5A1hgKI-xhv0bR6HwEXH2Day1wDdh8XrES365iWBjCx3rLtCl5VMy2xriLfuDKuZjLOg67rjR70A8-Xlppawvab5Znr9jKd9fw9ykk/s1600/Agave+4.4.14+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkfQsmEtPRIq5wlubJC6YE5wO3ckI2gJwYPkrt5A1hgKI-xhv0bR6HwEXH2Day1wDdh8XrES365iWBjCx3rLtCl5VMy2xriLfuDKuZjLOg67rjR70A8-Xlppawvab5Znr9jKd9fw9ykk/s1600/Agave+4.4.14+019.JPG" height="350" width="400" /></a></div>
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Soon they will be forming a chrysalis and undergoing the amazing metamorphosis that will allow them to emerge in a totally new form. Here's what the chrysalis looks like:<br />
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Pipevines have a strange little flower called the pipe.<br />
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Which is then followed by this fruit.<br />
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Sadly I do not have a suitable photo of the adult pipevine swallowtail butterfly, so please excuse me for borrowing a couple from one of my favorite sites, <a href="http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2006/09/28/pipevine-swallowtails-on-the-sand/" target="_blank">Firefly Forest</a><br />
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As she says, they are difficult to photograph as they seldom sit still. I guess that's my excuse. With their iridescent blue on the upper hind wings, and the array of colored spots on the lower wings, these large black butterflies are stunningly beautiful.<br />
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With our lack of rain and warm weather, everything seems to be happening a little earlier this year, like the cactus blooming. All around the grounds, and out in the desert, little hedgehog cacti are sporting their gaudy pink finery, forcing me to stop and get yet another photograph. Hedgehogs are a small, multi-trunked cactus, generally somewhat inconspicuous until bloom time.<br />
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Glorious too are the claret cups, which are another form of hedgehog cactus, and are one of the earliest to bloom. They are just about finished now, but this one waited for me. <br />
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The Museum grounds are alive with dozens of species of blooming flowers, and it is inspiring to just stroll through the gardens and various habitats and take in the amazing palette.<br />
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Here are just a few more. Fairy Duster, yellow primrose, blackfoot daisy and California buckwheat.<br />
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Lastly, we stopped by to see the coatis, and watched a young Cooper's hawk watching us.<br />
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Ahhh, no wonder I long to spend the entire day out on the Museum grounds talking to visitors and just enjoying the theater. Soon, very soon, I'll be able to do that. At my age, however, I do not wish to speed up time. So I will enjoy every day as a docent at the <a href="http://www.desertmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Arizona Sonora Desert Museum</a>, no matter what it brings.<br />
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May every day be one you treasure.<br />
<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-42713000054372989992014-03-30T07:59:00.000-07:002014-04-01T14:57:16.341-07:00Gulf Getaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was just a quick trip down to "Tucson's Beach" - Puerto Peñasco, at the head of the Gulf of California, aka the Sea of Cortez. Rapid development is taking over the once-lonely beaches, with a big cruise ship port now being constructed on the beach where we stay. But for now, it's still pretty peaceful. The huge tidal swing creates wonderful tidal flats which attract a great array of seabirds, feasting on the small fish and crustacean population. <br />
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After diving time after time for fish, drying one's wings is in order. The large population of brown pelicans stays well-fed in these shallow waters. Several pairs of American oystercatchers hunt along the reef, squawking in complaint and flying off when any human approaches. Don't you just love their colors? <br />
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They use that big, bright beak to pry open oysters and other bivalves. The American oystercatcher is a permanent resident around the Sea of Cortez and south. They roost on beaches, dunes or march islands, rarely venturing inland. Nests are simple scrapes on the beach lined with shells. They might make 5 or more nests before choosing one. <br />
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The other striking beauty along the beach is the black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), with long reddish legs, and sharply patterned black and white body. <br />
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Black-necked Stilts wade in shallow waters to capture their meals of aquatic invertebrates and fish. They often consume such fare as crawfish, brine flies, brine shrimp, beetles, water boatmen, and tadpoles. They peck, snatch, and plunge their heads into the water in pursuit of their food, and will herd fish into shallow waters to trap them there.<br />
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Who is easier to photograph than a great blue heron, his statue-like stance lasting for minutes on end. Even when disturbed, his takeoff is slow and deliberate. <br />
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Or the lovely egrets, snowy and great, so elegant in their long, white attire. </div>
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As he strolls along, the snowy shakes his foot around in the water, stirring up any little critter that might be trying to elude those sharp eyes and sharper beak. <br />
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In the early morning light I watched a flock of birds circle in unison and then land on the reef. Closer inspection in the binoculars revealed the delicate and beautiful American avocets, joined by a friendly pelican.<br />
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As I got closer and the sun rose higher, the breeding colors became evident.That long, thin, upturned bill is used to sweep the shallow water for invertebrates, and to protect the nest against invaders. Avocets will parasitize the nests of other shorebirds, and the avocet nests are often parasitized by other birds as well. <br />
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The tide moves quickly in this far end of the gulf, and within a few minutes the avocets perch was swamped, and off they went, long legs trailing behind, flashing their colors in the sun.<br />
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Among the tidepools were many small crabs, blending so skillfully into the crusty brown reef, or scurrying to hide in a crevice at the approach of a giant mammal. This one cracked me up. Instead of hiding, he raced out into the open and threw open his arms in a defensive posture, as if saying, bring it on, lady, I'm ready!<br />
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The rather plain-looking willet is common along all our shorelines, rather gray in non-breeding colors, and only slightly more colorful when breeding. But when startled, they react with a piercing call, opening their wings and running or taking flight, flashing a distinctive white pattern on the wings.<br />
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Just prior to our arrival was a fascinating event, a grunion run. These fish come up onto the sand in huge numbers, twisting themselves into the sand and laying their eggs. The males frantically scurry around the eggs to fertilize them. The incoming tide covers the eggs with sand, where they will hatch with the next full moon and high tide. Meanwhile, however, the shorebirds go into a feeding frenzy, searching for the abundant delicacy. Sandpipers, turnstones, plovers, willets and more, all intent on the buried treasure. Will there be any eggs left to hatch? Surely, with the beach covered with fish and each female laying several thousand eggs, there will be plenty to make their way back to the sea.<br />
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Oh, that's not all, of course. There were magnificent frigatebirds, ospreys hunting and nesting, gulls too many to name, terns hovering and diving, cormorants by the hundreds, tiny peeps, whimbrels, plovers and grebes. It was all too brief. But I got my saltwater fix. And my shorebird fix. <br />
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Here's hoping all your getaways feed your passions.<br />
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<br />Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-20555825660531749342014-03-16T07:57:00.002-07:002014-03-16T07:57:59.468-07:00Sunday Chronicle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
. . . or that was the week that was.</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Room at the Table</td></tr>
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Around 6 in the evening, there is a literal feeding frenzy at the hummingbird feeders, and the birds' normal competitiveness gives way to cooperation. I now have one feeder in the front of the house, and five in the back. Each bird has its favorite, but they seem to use them all at various times. The resident hummers here are Anna's and Costas, but during migration I might also see black-chinned, broad-billed, broad-tailed and rufous. One time, several years ago, I was even privileged to have a rare violet-crowned spend a couple of weeks in my yard. </div>
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Quite near the hummingbird feeder hangs a hollowed-out gourd that has been used by nesting house finches for several seasons. Recently I've noticed a female house finch making many forays to the nest and the other day, after seeing her leave, I took a peek inside and saw a little face looking at me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvdb4jQ69agxnhZ7tWL41TJydRuDwbveeu2Qy2cYXbuXCtqIm0v0vZdXEJT65ftVIlUWgfsTx-gKJklk1hNr5iZhBq8ZPVPQX3PoYkNI0X8greL5WVl2YMBfhXNvAAZ9kcRNuLQgYWFk/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvdb4jQ69agxnhZ7tWL41TJydRuDwbveeu2Qy2cYXbuXCtqIm0v0vZdXEJT65ftVIlUWgfsTx-gKJklk1hNr5iZhBq8ZPVPQX3PoYkNI0X8greL5WVl2YMBfhXNvAAZ9kcRNuLQgYWFk/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+041.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby House Finch in the Nest<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The first-to-bloom cactus in my yard is this little claret cup - a form of hedgehog cactus, <i>Echinocereus coccineus (triglochidiatus)</i>, and the only cactus in Arizona that is adapted for hummingbird pollination.<br />
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It grows naturally on rocky cliffs and gravelly slopes in oak and pine-oak woodlands and mixed conifer forest, so is not common at this elevation. <br />
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It's certainly not a great wildflower year, but around the neighborhood I have spotted a variety of blooms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVc4lZk0SvJnYkcSlqD3gc02PIvxI8fn6egetqOlyp4Q7M8mJKtZ59Mt5u4KlGaEHfWJzt6HmRBYT1cTV191AJx3SaeXUHChl4_V1Q5MUMLHCwW-ZmGuel7-lBooBPtGBba6WrSjE-Nk/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVc4lZk0SvJnYkcSlqD3gc02PIvxI8fn6egetqOlyp4Q7M8mJKtZ59Mt5u4KlGaEHfWJzt6HmRBYT1cTV191AJx3SaeXUHChl4_V1Q5MUMLHCwW-ZmGuel7-lBooBPtGBba6WrSjE-Nk/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+036.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Marigold<i> (Baileya multiradiata)<br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7kDGz420dIO_haC-ftQYYc3QtBVyAO3c4iGa-Vb4iwt4kojuD3o4-49gMVOU178QnhNJ3Ylrbf0YndmrgdUKd0yDh7z9RSe8_D7-HJubc3vorFZm8rOgKCXf5Kzz2ZOH_BVtx8Hls_E/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7kDGz420dIO_haC-ftQYYc3QtBVyAO3c4iGa-Vb4iwt4kojuD3o4-49gMVOU178QnhNJ3Ylrbf0YndmrgdUKd0yDh7z9RSe8_D7-HJubc3vorFZm8rOgKCXf5Kzz2ZOH_BVtx8Hls_E/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+032.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbwTVddp4ftbYO3QAQ2nf_7Gc46GXbjrpg9iB_Y28X0CPJe-OW9chQe-VXzgFrUa283a76tk34xV7M2dV8oaf9DfTx4brlOcCKRvY23upC0R6yshib7JCG5DHa6Mpp9cuppIxNzAJvMM/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbwTVddp4ftbYO3QAQ2nf_7Gc46GXbjrpg9iB_Y28X0CPJe-OW9chQe-VXzgFrUa283a76tk34xV7M2dV8oaf9DfTx4brlOcCKRvY23upC0R6yshib7JCG5DHa6Mpp9cuppIxNzAJvMM/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+047.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twining Milkweed Vine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YwVzxwA5N90FGWW1gq714Ta6itusH1xfkZZHW38shjSzaoVuTV_4THkvVC19bwjK9SoTrIlxj0OD9M90G9HYLU78bRnLQspu5POYcJhNdLJS_XGiog2H8x9p25tBGsb4dO5MSEK29cY/s1600/Agave+3.8.14+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YwVzxwA5N90FGWW1gq714Ta6itusH1xfkZZHW38shjSzaoVuTV_4THkvVC19bwjK9SoTrIlxj0OD9M90G9HYLU78bRnLQspu5POYcJhNdLJS_XGiog2H8x9p25tBGsb4dO5MSEK29cY/s1600/Agave+3.8.14+020.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Zinnia (<i>Zinnia acerosa</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnynR05wxg4O2cNUmEaeFleJb-nyiu0k5ynyfsFOVLySszI4qfBytSSwyhp4bSbLjC_kBX3uwNbMreBXPPC0K9UdiTvq8s0rcrG-gG77HXl_CwE-EDceZe88ac8lyxv0F9aVsJeL9_rkY/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnynR05wxg4O2cNUmEaeFleJb-nyiu0k5ynyfsFOVLySszI4qfBytSSwyhp4bSbLjC_kBX3uwNbMreBXPPC0K9UdiTvq8s0rcrG-gG77HXl_CwE-EDceZe88ac8lyxv0F9aVsJeL9_rkY/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+069.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwANluZgs6bxMz5hb_pO_ziVhgKtYQm2l-VEeS3yThwOg1to6grc8_hSxR2Z3a3wu4iSC0NdqAD-vH-uR3xcoxjkegTgvoz1ILtyVlNDEFRK49cLNUm2mHjiVwDdXrH3ZeNngzp7D0l8/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwANluZgs6bxMz5hb_pO_ziVhgKtYQm2l-VEeS3yThwOg1to6grc8_hSxR2Z3a3wu4iSC0NdqAD-vH-uR3xcoxjkegTgvoz1ILtyVlNDEFRK49cLNUm2mHjiVwDdXrH3ZeNngzp7D0l8/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+073.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Globemallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicory or maybe Tackstem?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi8Fz8ZBz4WmLHswOdkvmP8Ws5wLB5l3-CeH2_IUvsXPxFXSLnqiLe68uqDPbFzGLZi0Uu45Zc75yJepBmAXPeHhIjNIkwkr3goG3k3tGLXen83lw07RhoU5326DWv6_07wgAZs93DHE/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi8Fz8ZBz4WmLHswOdkvmP8Ws5wLB5l3-CeH2_IUvsXPxFXSLnqiLe68uqDPbFzGLZi0Uu45Zc75yJepBmAXPeHhIjNIkwkr3goG3k3tGLXen83lw07RhoU5326DWv6_07wgAZs93DHE/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+063.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkweed<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBQpROR4TQSkh_T53SABwIyiWLIe_wr4bgeJ9ZigpMzLvusU_QsonpItnKYiEz_I-DEQsWT2ShHNMUSb43UwvbURsfZ8W3xGqb2PtvlIwXNASLcyjLnxJQVyDyt8u8d-chwUsL7gpPIA/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBQpROR4TQSkh_T53SABwIyiWLIe_wr4bgeJ9ZigpMzLvusU_QsonpItnKYiEz_I-DEQsWT2ShHNMUSb43UwvbURsfZ8W3xGqb2PtvlIwXNASLcyjLnxJQVyDyt8u8d-chwUsL7gpPIA/s1600/Agave+3.13.14+061.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocotillo and Carpenter Bee<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The beautiful Harris' hawks are seen every day, and appear to be nesting again in the neighborhood, which makes me very happy. Yesterday a female flew right over me with a meal in her talons. She landed on a utility pole and commenced dining. Her companions continued to circle overhead, hoping, perhaps, to share in the meal. One of the birds was a very different color, so I'm guessing he was still quite young.<div>
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Here's hoping your week is full of interesting and beautiful sights!</div>
Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8153499152968719367.post-22095030773929815302014-03-10T09:43:00.000-07:002014-03-10T15:20:17.170-07:00Road Trip - The California Coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My blog is calling and I find myself feeling guilty for never finishing this fabulous road trip. So let's shuffle back to September of 2013 and make our way down the spectacular California coast. Growing up in Reno, with relatives in several areas of Northern California, I spent many happy times all along the coast, so I am always thrilled with the opportunity to go back. <br />
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From the Oregon coast, Highway 101 took us into California's magnificent redwood forest, where the quiet and a feeling of reverence surrounds you. How happy we should be that mankind finally came to its senses and quit logging the oldest growth redwoods, and protected huge areas of forest in national and state parks. <br />
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There is nothing quite so peaceful as a stroll among these giants.</div>
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South of the redwoods, Highway 1 takes off to the coast and takes you on a wild ride to the little town of Fort Bragg, where the abalone diving used to be great, twisting and turning its way along the rocky shoreline. Just make sure you are the passenger on this ride so you can enjoy the unrivaled scenery without having your eyes locked on the narrow road.</div>
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So many lovely little stops - Mendocino, Gualala, Fort Ross, Bodega Bay, Point Reyes, Tomales Bay and then along the headlands of Bolinas Bay, past Mt Tamalpais before finally descending into the madness that is the San Francisco Bay Area. On a warm, cloudless Sunday, Sausalito was teeming with people, cars and bicycles, a stark contrast to the lonely, peaceful places we had just been. Crossing the Golden Gate we decided to stop and see the America's Cup headquarters near the terminus of the bridge. It was a non-racing day for the big boats, so finding a parking space was easy and we enjoyed strolling the grounds and being awed by the size and technology of the boats.</div>
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With too little time and too many places yet to see, we forged south through the intense San Francisco traffic, back onto Highway 1, stopping for the night at funky little Half Moon Bay. So many places I want to spend more time, like Santa Cruz and Capitola, but we'll save those for another time. It's not like I haven't been there before. Rounding Monterey Bay, we stopped at Elkhorn Slough, a birder's paradise. How I would have loved to be out there on a kayak, among the sea otters and a dizzying array of birds.<br />
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In Monterey, a walk along Cannery Row, a classic car show, lunch overlooking the bay, and gray whales breaching in the bay.</div>
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Winding along the Cabrillo Highway, the magnificence of the Big Sur coast will take your breath away. Again, just be sure you are not the driver! After the big rock slides of recent years, a new tunnel is being constructed, an engineering and construction marvel.</div>
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Just before San Simeon, you reach the Piedras Blancas bay, where the elephant seals are hauled out on the beach, mostly juvenile males, resting, basking in the sun, playing in the water, honing their fighting skills.</div>
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Next stop, Morro Bay, where our hotel overlooked the big Morro Rock, the harbor and all the people action on the streets below. </div>
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Just east of Morro Bay lies one of California's lesser-known wine regions that, in my humble opinion rivals Napa Valley for quality and diversity. Spend a couple of days touring the vineyards and tasting the zinfandels and you will be equally impressed. </div>
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Last stop before San Diego - our favorite campground, San Elijo State Beach to check out our site for our Christmas camping trip. </div>
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And then, one of our favorite big cities - San Diego and our farewell to the Coast. A wonderful meal in Little Italy capped off our weeks of indulgence in all the bounty that California offers. And then we were Arizona-bound. All too soon.</div>
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May all your travels take you to the places of your dreams.</div>
Carole http://www.blogger.com/profile/16668009262154537025noreply@blogger.com5