All posts by Sheila

I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.
On The Road, Photos-Birds, Photos-Landscapes

~A nice hike up to an overlook at Picacho State Park, AZ

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December 30, 2018, A nice hike up to an overlook at Picacho State Park, AZ.

Temperatures have been in the low 50’s and high 40’s with overnight lows in the high 20’s. Last night it rained and we woke this morning to low hanging clouds below the snow-covered peaks. The sun finally came out and it tuned out to be a nice day with a high of 48.

Our hike on the 30th was very nice. We took a trail that was “training” for us in hopes of climbing to the top of Picacho Peak. Don’t know if we will make it, but it will be fun and interesting trying. Thursday is the day!

Picacho Peak State Park, campground in the background, left.
Saguaro Cactus
Even though it has been cold here, there are still a few blooming plants.
Picacho Peaks
A Saguaro Cactus skeleton.

I don’t know why, but the fallen skeleton of these giant Saguaro Cactus fascinate me. Interesting fact sheet on the Saguaro Cactus can be found here:  https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Saguaro%20Cactus.php

Just a couple from the fact sheet: simply amazing!

Life Span-With the right growing conditions, it is estimated that saguaros can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.

Size-Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

Arizona Barrel Cactus

Can’t see the trail, but it was mostly vertical.
Typical terrain.

Yesterday, the 31st, I spent some time trying to capture a few bird shots at the motorhome. I don’t like to take photos of birds at the feeder, but with no trees around I had no choice.

Anna’s Hummingbird.

This male Anna’s, spent so much time watching for other hummingbirds. It is comical to watch.

The sunlight shining on his beautiful, pink throat.
Ever watchful.

Lark Bunting
White-crowned Sparrow
Gila Woodpecker

I would like to wish everyone a very healthy, happy, loving, and adventurous, new year. Enjoy what nature has to offer.

 

On The Road, Photos-Landscapes

~Sunset over the Catalina Mountains

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~December 22, 2018, Catalina State Park, Oro Valley, AZ

A lovely walk, at sunset, on the Romero Ruin Loop Trail.

Howard at the beginning of the Romero Ruin Trail in Catalina State Park (6:15pm)
The mountains are gorgeous with the beginning of the evening sunlight shining on them. (6:16pm)
Shadows add to the drama taking place.
(6:20pm) Sunlight kissing the Saguaro Cacti.
(6:22pm) The evening sunlight turns these mountains into a fiery, gorgeous sight.
(6:30pm) Looking west.
(6:31pm)  A different view
(6:32pm)
(6:33pm)
(6:34pm)
(6:37pm)
(6:48pm)

The Romero Ruin Trail Loop is one of my very favorite trails. The views, from atop this hill of the Catalina Mountains are spectacular, the foliage diverse, and the birding rewarding. At sunset, the scene is peaceful and breathtaking.

Earlier in the day, on the same trail:

Curved-billed Thrasher

A list of all the other birds I observed while visiting Catalina State Park:

Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk(new), Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, Common Raven, Western Scrub-Jay, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Canyon Towhee, Pyrrhuloxia, House Finch, Cassin’s Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

I wish I would have seen more!

 

On The Road, Photos-Landscapes

~The Moon Sits Atop a Saguaro

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December 20, 2018, Catalina State Park, Oro Valley, AZ

A stroll at dusk back a nature trail in Catalina State Park to watch the moon rise over the Catalina Mountains was a lovely way to spend the evening.

The Moon sits atop a cactus.

The evening light brings out the gorgeous colors of the Catalinas.
The Moon rises higher.

It was a lovely walk, watching the glow of the setting sun play its magic over the mountains.

On Saturday, December 22nd, the moon will be full and it is also the winter solstice. Winter is here.

On The Road, Photos-Birds

~Ducks

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December 19, 2018, Oro Valley, AZ

The featured photo of the Pied-billed Grebe and the female Green-winged Teal were taken at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson, AZ during the week.

Female Green-winged Teal

For more information on the Sweetwater Wetlands, you can visit their website: Sweetwater Wetlands

The photos below were taken today at Aqua Caliente Park in Tuscon, AZ. It is a lovely place to enjoy the day.

Things to do include, learning about the history of the area and what it is currently being used for, walking the trails looking for birds or just sitting on one of the park benches relaxing.

For more information on the Aqua Caliente Park, you can visit their website, http://tucsonaudubon.org/about-us/our-locations/745-2/

 

American Wigeon pair. The male is stretching his wing.
American Wigeons. I don’t know what they were eating, but they sure were clustered around each other trying to feed.

I loved the reed reflections on the pond and where the duck was snoozing; however, the buoy in the background ruined the photo so I included some with it cropped out.

Ring-necked
Ring-necked Pair
He was watching me with one eye open and then he decided he better check me out more closely.
It looks like he got really mad at me.