tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89474872861033104422024-03-04T23:53:11.426-06:00Celestial RamblingsCelestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-71900533949948556572014-01-27T21:40:00.000-06:002014-01-27T21:40:04.330-06:00A Parting of the Ways................<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am rather a fatalist, I think people come into our lives for a reason. Several years ago I started reading a blog called <a href="http://coronadetucson.blogspot.com/">Sycamore Canyon</a>. It's author, Kathie lived in Arizona and wrote about her love for the natural world and the Arizona desert. A couple of years later my husband took me to Tucson for a birthday present. I had been completely captivated by Kathie's writing and was already in love with the desert through her wonderful words. It seemed only logical that I should meet Kathie as I was going to be in her neighbourhood. This is not something I do, I don't randomly go round meeting people from online! Anyway I am glad I made an exception. We agreed to meet at a local birding spot.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxed4elIE0kx1oMBafdl_caUvTlTUZCm31moL4P7SfHE3ccUtyhSJ3aQqt-Jb_tAWGKWMgXoCZcsXdy5FAdfGkb8w5vVPjGY72XXk3fJJWQ4LINXSAxY_X4FBu4H3q6kIuDDBf1-_PGyg/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxed4elIE0kx1oMBafdl_caUvTlTUZCm31moL4P7SfHE3ccUtyhSJ3aQqt-Jb_tAWGKWMgXoCZcsXdy5FAdfGkb8w5vVPjGY72XXk3fJJWQ4LINXSAxY_X4FBu4H3q6kIuDDBf1-_PGyg/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
And a wonderful friendship was born. We continued to communicate online. Kathie's husband likes to move (!) and a year or so after we met she left Arizona and moved to New England. She started a new blog called <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/">Kathie's Birds</a> which I continued to follow. Then in one of those weird quirks of life, we ended up buying a home in Tucson. I blame Kathie for inspiring my love for the area and creating my desire to have a home there! Of course she was no longer there but the irony was hard to miss. After about a year, imagine my delight when she contacted me to tell me that her husband had got itchy feet again and they were moving back to Tucson. So began the next chapter of our friendship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuf9nuZ-VkPUBAuUH6kI6Ox55dWveBLBhyl-0pwKFdmM1ei79ViLNFK8vCdH754eHssSdsb0V0qGTGBMLcTzR-BWsHkxcGH3wgHCiupfLzw0capFHsLXd4rTllu17UC9o4Yl-LJSQGR0/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuf9nuZ-VkPUBAuUH6kI6Ox55dWveBLBhyl-0pwKFdmM1ei79ViLNFK8vCdH754eHssSdsb0V0qGTGBMLcTzR-BWsHkxcGH3wgHCiupfLzw0capFHsLXd4rTllu17UC9o4Yl-LJSQGR0/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXATu8FCfu2g2h0Gcv_evKo4GOeI0kuauLhTcoj4xR1q5wtL6aeHvh32BKJMkAZYn-xq34fqZb9-Hzz5g6ZNrBCEAwlX-HxJX-1aVVujG-A7YbvAcNwkL5lluqyeP7XSNYcI-azh7w_GM/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXATu8FCfu2g2h0Gcv_evKo4GOeI0kuauLhTcoj4xR1q5wtL6aeHvh32BKJMkAZYn-xq34fqZb9-Hzz5g6ZNrBCEAwlX-HxJX-1aVVujG-A7YbvAcNwkL5lluqyeP7XSNYcI-azh7w_GM/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgyKvm08ie6zyYs6pAsS_nrbgKm-QPdKmqeAypzQGrNTvnX_Ba2d-AGjte96UixnQr0XWsDMS3ec7NeL0NOjZfHWN502ZK-_1KQKj5gfZpBT5t_g43-ZulOVQj_bysuwyQp78BMsWcM/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgyKvm08ie6zyYs6pAsS_nrbgKm-QPdKmqeAypzQGrNTvnX_Ba2d-AGjte96UixnQr0XWsDMS3ec7NeL0NOjZfHWN502ZK-_1KQKj5gfZpBT5t_g43-ZulOVQj_bysuwyQp78BMsWcM/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So many wonderful days out, sharing our love of birds and nature, sharing the open spaces and the freedom of wild places, sharing new species and familiar ones too, sharing moments of perfect peace and moments of great excitement, like a bear sighting up close and personal. We have had so many wonderful adventures together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i0X5OlGauVMlSJ_4DOi6N2-ZKta9fyrbFCcZ1wQiL9sHjIhyphenhyphenBgF14SQcuH6ZYeHqZPGKenKavdib7H1GXjXv6MApnlWDZK4J8S3OzifsVu0F5tkLVq0rBHlGBDgyKfYaJSxk7Rbir4w/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i0X5OlGauVMlSJ_4DOi6N2-ZKta9fyrbFCcZ1wQiL9sHjIhyphenhyphenBgF14SQcuH6ZYeHqZPGKenKavdib7H1GXjXv6MApnlWDZK4J8S3OzifsVu0F5tkLVq0rBHlGBDgyKfYaJSxk7Rbir4w/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx6rHVVvh94NgLKrd6RDrnOU1EMkwQjjlzTm_265G-D5CkJGox6A3WAx4U07KbtUAJ09Mn9rZJ9Zu2Ye2iKXf1dtlqK7dL9IQqJXsw5Zf30JWAONH4dSAdqPA39MJhdTBXj7clzCuNrk/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx6rHVVvh94NgLKrd6RDrnOU1EMkwQjjlzTm_265G-D5CkJGox6A3WAx4U07KbtUAJ09Mn9rZJ9Zu2Ye2iKXf1dtlqK7dL9IQqJXsw5Zf30JWAONH4dSAdqPA39MJhdTBXj7clzCuNrk/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Dbw3FQopkyTEkgJsYE0b1-fdzO99eFYT__OIFThPIyNzUS5Q4A1ozg3tADN_4S6qu_Xk3qIQsTlFXWWE0yzSocbaZuY7Lvrl6fe2WoMltNAPlMKgQOKEMor6KUsrsBViZxrroq24Ws/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Dbw3FQopkyTEkgJsYE0b1-fdzO99eFYT__OIFThPIyNzUS5Q4A1ozg3tADN_4S6qu_Xk3qIQsTlFXWWE0yzSocbaZuY7Lvrl6fe2WoMltNAPlMKgQOKEMor6KUsrsBViZxrroq24Ws/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-7XI51y3siW6IbdK52SiHBvHw_goEKOTfav9CMFBc5sLCy-D2_nO4L1D6pJGEob4arsehFIBXU0ZQcib3XKr74ADwLh23sGF3pvvulLgB24Tue_SCqHgraNkDWaUlIDUezUu4g700ls/s1600/IMG_20130325_124357_788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-7XI51y3siW6IbdK52SiHBvHw_goEKOTfav9CMFBc5sLCy-D2_nO4L1D6pJGEob4arsehFIBXU0ZQcib3XKr74ADwLh23sGF3pvvulLgB24Tue_SCqHgraNkDWaUlIDUezUu4g700ls/s1600/IMG_20130325_124357_788.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Another fondness we share is for tea, especially Earl Grey Tea so our trips always included a nice tea break somewhere scenic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt-ghhHuM25t_eEvEG_IkHidCkdstP-w-5EdJu56xp34SOTqdDx3kRwQIadY59WwpAdninr7vqHUiC-ZJhWNO1tTeYFOjkgCw1ZsdjbzFKTTVkiE9h4rZ4FQqAEc7pB9JUi_06F-VYqA/s1600/IMG_20130325_131959_502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt-ghhHuM25t_eEvEG_IkHidCkdstP-w-5EdJu56xp34SOTqdDx3kRwQIadY59WwpAdninr7vqHUiC-ZJhWNO1tTeYFOjkgCw1ZsdjbzFKTTVkiE9h4rZ4FQqAEc7pB9JUi_06F-VYqA/s1600/IMG_20130325_131959_502.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S4P53Gb7wsAk2ZMjDOGtlIkPNCg7h_G54_pCsc1mplOtTSncnxWmQE4LaRykSZfl1BF4qtrdEF34-DKcxhdrtrThBC1vn9XhNFhkPVUPvhNdoWkFuAnt7xQ64LZ5ke2aoPijoVP4Pqk/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S4P53Gb7wsAk2ZMjDOGtlIkPNCg7h_G54_pCsc1mplOtTSncnxWmQE4LaRykSZfl1BF4qtrdEF34-DKcxhdrtrThBC1vn9XhNFhkPVUPvhNdoWkFuAnt7xQ64LZ5ke2aoPijoVP4Pqk/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGHYf53XNcV-tUBhr2n3Iu7lxx9LuY_2iRT3wv54W3n0tKfcH9OkzqTq5ahK21im1YEPgS-gD0AaJ0mUMEUPDpJo9X17qW49QdCvZ2Jto138vWHso7777penoTgWIOdlXURUzoRKgD4Q/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGHYf53XNcV-tUBhr2n3Iu7lxx9LuY_2iRT3wv54W3n0tKfcH9OkzqTq5ahK21im1YEPgS-gD0AaJ0mUMEUPDpJo9X17qW49QdCvZ2Jto138vWHso7777penoTgWIOdlXURUzoRKgD4Q/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5VEHDGBQFhRyP1UPfTfzmFviWpdWddUZ_MkEyYKuQiToLMETGrG9p0u4KtC1YHbM2pWHm1hXqP3s25QDuph_6nJ99qxCsASiVgUUqNo3YvJsqu8OUA3jlxAsoVfzbRl_zr_CHh9PKDw/s1600/2012-11-30_12-25-55_838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5VEHDGBQFhRyP1UPfTfzmFviWpdWddUZ_MkEyYKuQiToLMETGrG9p0u4KtC1YHbM2pWHm1hXqP3s25QDuph_6nJ99qxCsASiVgUUqNo3YvJsqu8OUA3jlxAsoVfzbRl_zr_CHh9PKDw/s1600/2012-11-30_12-25-55_838.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I could take up pages listing all the wonderful creatures we have seen together and every one of them was special. When I wasn't at home Kathie kept an eye on our home and even kept my bird feeders filled so that when I got home the yard would be filled with birds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkgls3KXFPAkIcIbAxzdJ1KrVdb5UXmKecrB-bJgqETk1mRVqMsH_xv-gSU_K1lxXH_vpRYo1sKCDz9oTPz7ChNpUVRrP31kTTKqwoov04adC5LCt3npB4Z3DWRa0D2g-ho94lW4SzxQ/s1600/Copy+(1)+of+PRMS0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkgls3KXFPAkIcIbAxzdJ1KrVdb5UXmKecrB-bJgqETk1mRVqMsH_xv-gSU_K1lxXH_vpRYo1sKCDz9oTPz7ChNpUVRrP31kTTKqwoov04adC5LCt3npB4Z3DWRa0D2g-ho94lW4SzxQ/s1600/Copy+(1)+of+PRMS0247.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But all good things come to an end and last November, true to form, her husband was on the move again and now they are off to Maine. We shed a few tears and shared a few hugs and as a farewell treat we shared another of our loves and took a trail ride through the beautiful Saguaro National Park.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkQDWyJyxFDku4UOv7_v6TE0eVSQ5CLPhCTvXqxFJr8RUMYDWfmjkhPzcuIwaupdtPho33GoJI44zxdajzZG5oUhhDs6I1G0HN378m50Jr2_ibtrPGiOO0b1u_05NxVMGAUGgWc-8OiY/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkQDWyJyxFDku4UOv7_v6TE0eVSQ5CLPhCTvXqxFJr8RUMYDWfmjkhPzcuIwaupdtPho33GoJI44zxdajzZG5oUhhDs6I1G0HN378m50Jr2_ibtrPGiOO0b1u_05NxVMGAUGgWc-8OiY/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now, the time has come, we have said our goodbyes and at the end of this week my dear friend heads of to the chilly North East. I feel so sad but I will continue to follow her next adventures through her blog. She has left me her nijer seed feeder so every time I watch the goldfinches outside my kitchen window I will thing of my lovely friend.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6wV_Rzukkrsrj5dBh2FbDWWnKf9KadW6hkV6grGMrwwLO4_45dBTuvXV_K1MO5W2QI4EP6Q9nGn5i8BppbyVPJBmTMMu-egt0jH5sKm85YLwQmwDqqpo-UZeJFcJigYqhV3Fw6Az42U/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6wV_Rzukkrsrj5dBh2FbDWWnKf9KadW6hkV6grGMrwwLO4_45dBTuvXV_K1MO5W2QI4EP6Q9nGn5i8BppbyVPJBmTMMu-egt0jH5sKm85YLwQmwDqqpo-UZeJFcJigYqhV3Fw6Az42U/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
She also gave me a Red Yucca which I have planted in my front yard, it will produce spikes of red flowers which the hummingbirds love so she continues to look out for my yard birds even after leaving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu5fhFAeuRTVMI6OTQMYO9YZSYWmCKrtleaKoggYBzPt92VzpByS6cfbsfeUsGS87AImWvoo2T8z-igU1z5wQ4sv0E0U_iW16gigRUYfZerk1NbxHCdM159xlBI4VKUGtBZGAzzzAfzY/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu5fhFAeuRTVMI6OTQMYO9YZSYWmCKrtleaKoggYBzPt92VzpByS6cfbsfeUsGS87AImWvoo2T8z-igU1z5wQ4sv0E0U_iW16gigRUYfZerk1NbxHCdM159xlBI4VKUGtBZGAzzzAfzY/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We will meet again, sometime, somewhere. She hopes to come back and visit so we will have more adventures in the desert one day. Farewell my dear friend, I will miss you so very much.</div>
<br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-68491883400042304942014-01-04T21:26:00.000-06:002014-01-04T21:26:42.097-06:00A Desert ChristmasIt seems a bit corny to give an account of Christmas so I will just say it was a time filled with good weather, good food and good company and let the pictures say the rest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzASJqcVc60HhTVjfvMuAdaY-gVfnq6K0O3m3y4_5I-gYhXvEbuqMpEf0VOxk202aIA6B3QszrJ5rusPOS3IpkT_LQzHMYR2RNRfDcWT2y5o0yasyRWoQTYB4vb0anF2L8FHZZmlWVtM/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzASJqcVc60HhTVjfvMuAdaY-gVfnq6K0O3m3y4_5I-gYhXvEbuqMpEf0VOxk202aIA6B3QszrJ5rusPOS3IpkT_LQzHMYR2RNRfDcWT2y5o0yasyRWoQTYB4vb0anF2L8FHZZmlWVtM/s400/IMG_3075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNavLlGKHJm9y_Mx9jdFuYmRGPxMtlKlyJoYAOAQifaX5jqUGHV4FlGUdyQXH6P61vePOjG5nUaf3rk3dzdVvyVJ7lbfzIkCQ8Kj1SqRSwtJY0n-8e5aZfBECUytAIxzpOIWKwm9mr8E/s1600/IMG_3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNavLlGKHJm9y_Mx9jdFuYmRGPxMtlKlyJoYAOAQifaX5jqUGHV4FlGUdyQXH6P61vePOjG5nUaf3rk3dzdVvyVJ7lbfzIkCQ8Kj1SqRSwtJY0n-8e5aZfBECUytAIxzpOIWKwm9mr8E/s400/IMG_3092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOVodp-0VbpFqmm4bhBEWE1GpUcMiF3mloniHroP8MNMEnO05N7o2UKt8S_iFmbn_qta1p8EiXbtP2naDu0UGeNujfIFnCRUuwMP-qDCkwOU4_DR29fMJG8gR1VhnrG-SukA2C2-s-4I/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOVodp-0VbpFqmm4bhBEWE1GpUcMiF3mloniHroP8MNMEnO05N7o2UKt8S_iFmbn_qta1p8EiXbtP2naDu0UGeNujfIFnCRUuwMP-qDCkwOU4_DR29fMJG8gR1VhnrG-SukA2C2-s-4I/s400/IMG_3140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHThQqsE5pCZrBSsaYw1VApGrnb2vE11oL77WMIDNmNx_pZksJ4m9lI35k_UmNcomcKU_45cIxZ_ZlVDBGgihl_24kaDAxXYyj83NMGSKz2opQupK6V8lcfNHTsor0MEYTVf7ejuGpnFU/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHThQqsE5pCZrBSsaYw1VApGrnb2vE11oL77WMIDNmNx_pZksJ4m9lI35k_UmNcomcKU_45cIxZ_ZlVDBGgihl_24kaDAxXYyj83NMGSKz2opQupK6V8lcfNHTsor0MEYTVf7ejuGpnFU/s400/IMG_3155.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqSr89FkDBExpP-Ma5tMNomX-DLdJfc2z7d3_Zq7CnFrmfDYCQZ09AzQq8d-mgRABQw4JXYPSHWx1vrUnAteWdXS3YSSFRtKDJefcylV73RVpf8jecvawttxU-e8DsLn0uBnJcUURCDs/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqSr89FkDBExpP-Ma5tMNomX-DLdJfc2z7d3_Zq7CnFrmfDYCQZ09AzQq8d-mgRABQw4JXYPSHWx1vrUnAteWdXS3YSSFRtKDJefcylV73RVpf8jecvawttxU-e8DsLn0uBnJcUURCDs/s400/IMG_0298.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3_BbwxRPxUzUEJj3k4XyOmZXno5oImJeVtyPr2Zfo-gHhGzdmDjPi46a8_qiYTr3EBTp-0kLA2KxgXC1Z0HAF-K_uVlke1tKp6t_LGZIznQyTKm5HycOy2e8aJawX3MYG3n4RxoH7w4/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3_BbwxRPxUzUEJj3k4XyOmZXno5oImJeVtyPr2Zfo-gHhGzdmDjPi46a8_qiYTr3EBTp-0kLA2KxgXC1Z0HAF-K_uVlke1tKp6t_LGZIznQyTKm5HycOy2e8aJawX3MYG3n4RxoH7w4/s400/IMG_3143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPypayDM909ONI0mJC-T0VxjBDLGZZ_MtLE4IqC7LXiZaXPabytumeHONWmxC6X2EKI58gV1bk3EmGb0Od0fcHGkmh2dUkvBMaQi6aLosNatDaQYPhAZ-qg3xH5o9eZVPB_EOXT45mcuA/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPypayDM909ONI0mJC-T0VxjBDLGZZ_MtLE4IqC7LXiZaXPabytumeHONWmxC6X2EKI58gV1bk3EmGb0Od0fcHGkmh2dUkvBMaQi6aLosNatDaQYPhAZ-qg3xH5o9eZVPB_EOXT45mcuA/s400/IMG_3151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16fDXIr6Pi2GOk3U3NMzTmtnOLuhDeBUWPN-8Cc0GLeWForKzdO4-b5tLURFAq_zqdELVlPaNMXai-aNJMSz4RFV1fgSnj6MJ3rBwLhAyEwBCXUyU36jixdz0sf2gMKMPiibLyJU1zm4/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16fDXIr6Pi2GOk3U3NMzTmtnOLuhDeBUWPN-8Cc0GLeWForKzdO4-b5tLURFAq_zqdELVlPaNMXai-aNJMSz4RFV1fgSnj6MJ3rBwLhAyEwBCXUyU36jixdz0sf2gMKMPiibLyJU1zm4/s400/IMG_3158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKzNs-i8Vwy0JefeaXMlggGs6VAMbLwHKdG8MKDj9XQ28O_26IIg13x2-BAbfW1sVoNRVvg3RQoFIL07de5DSawggM6UfYaMzqcM1Vs1-06_v3D5qAP1SJQorkJJBrB0FJ7aWT7obzYo/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKzNs-i8Vwy0JefeaXMlggGs6VAMbLwHKdG8MKDj9XQ28O_26IIg13x2-BAbfW1sVoNRVvg3RQoFIL07de5DSawggM6UfYaMzqcM1Vs1-06_v3D5qAP1SJQorkJJBrB0FJ7aWT7obzYo/s400/IMG_3162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Oy0eRFxWbmhP3WFHvupkvztyOVRreq_uAgmJCatviwZE8JfMK-xgc-V8Y6x66dLVEoNFFtEBL4x73Uq7aakcE9pHcSwaSV_X8yYfiEOApitAqyKJK1J84UKAMwGa9iI0nnRpnwetdk/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2Oy0eRFxWbmhP3WFHvupkvztyOVRreq_uAgmJCatviwZE8JfMK-xgc-V8Y6x66dLVEoNFFtEBL4x73Uq7aakcE9pHcSwaSV_X8yYfiEOApitAqyKJK1J84UKAMwGa9iI0nnRpnwetdk/s400/IMG_3165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhjbWKIcfiOMY-_RRNjPAmUL7FphBsyTmmk7XtqZ7Yx3WwM4Uw2yknsKUI-LyFwoyjPZT8rGGt2-smfmAI6M2uoE5ITEUcTRcWEdC4hisqn0HQq87sKRQRqlCh83oPG6BUNfRuF6oSUU/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhjbWKIcfiOMY-_RRNjPAmUL7FphBsyTmmk7XtqZ7Yx3WwM4Uw2yknsKUI-LyFwoyjPZT8rGGt2-smfmAI6M2uoE5ITEUcTRcWEdC4hisqn0HQq87sKRQRqlCh83oPG6BUNfRuF6oSUU/s400/IMG_3321.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7p2KpT4FjKUV5XmomH7r7VKDeIMX2tG9z46YcvRCEG9b9XX83K_ueDbap9UVvFZvBTtZtPMIa8RVzGO0o7kYDGvcE2_E5swW7SOkXCHYevEeRa_8IYLTLdsF7shyphenhyphenWFyPFLIW3pn7dfQ/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7p2KpT4FjKUV5XmomH7r7VKDeIMX2tG9z46YcvRCEG9b9XX83K_ueDbap9UVvFZvBTtZtPMIa8RVzGO0o7kYDGvcE2_E5swW7SOkXCHYevEeRa_8IYLTLdsF7shyphenhyphenWFyPFLIW3pn7dfQ/s400/IMG_3306.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq6VDzo9gZnO4WJK-ITWqzKRAI8x_ugta6rMSyid68zJczMJi6bGptXauykUvsIoGOw5Qh2hz17naPZm-ONoDo95XB_UTPe3tPixTyC75ykGIz1YIKxXtomRfZ0zOJ0eJhcxt8wAsvWg/s1600/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq6VDzo9gZnO4WJK-ITWqzKRAI8x_ugta6rMSyid68zJczMJi6bGptXauykUvsIoGOw5Qh2hz17naPZm-ONoDo95XB_UTPe3tPixTyC75ykGIz1YIKxXtomRfZ0zOJ0eJhcxt8wAsvWg/s400/IMG_3338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict86qdx4b6eqzw5CUsyHzm71MLvs9LmMikHbxSpDf_jMWQxRXZAtQCcZ7MjVU7ycAtLOy7gfTsn2LVpnIu9S_ynTuuarXFGFaf4Hgyptgr7AhrhGc7dqBq41K3mQcW27LFoJYOOt06b8/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict86qdx4b6eqzw5CUsyHzm71MLvs9LmMikHbxSpDf_jMWQxRXZAtQCcZ7MjVU7ycAtLOy7gfTsn2LVpnIu9S_ynTuuarXFGFaf4Hgyptgr7AhrhGc7dqBq41K3mQcW27LFoJYOOt06b8/s400/IMG_3374.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-18648506639599138712013-09-08T21:37:00.000-05:002013-09-08T21:37:00.210-05:00Sunset Drive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1rPGx3mKV6PwFdD36iCoNPhf8n3rISvY2zQR7eBo9WO1z-P75rVuw1j9HNxmcYC_gvCYcxXXpiIadJ-iUTKnq9xhKeTc4cSIPboEiPWOgITxRAPrrZRQUpQqHqy9YR-hiQczaRsJxUE/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>When I used to drive a safari vehicle, it was roofless, windowless and doorless. Needless to say it gave my clients wonderful, all round views of all the creatures and scenery. It is, of course a tough act to follow.<br />
My best birding buddy Kathie's husband Gus has a very special baby. It is his pride and joy, so I felt very honoured when he agreed to take Kathie and I for a sunset drive in Saguaro NP East in a rather splendid 'safari vehicle.'<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1rPGx3mKV6PwFdD36iCoNPhf8n3rISvY2zQR7eBo9WO1z-P75rVuw1j9HNxmcYC_gvCYcxXXpiIadJ-iUTKnq9xhKeTc4cSIPboEiPWOgITxRAPrrZRQUpQqHqy9YR-hiQczaRsJxUE/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1rPGx3mKV6PwFdD36iCoNPhf8n3rISvY2zQR7eBo9WO1z-P75rVuw1j9HNxmcYC_gvCYcxXXpiIadJ-iUTKnq9xhKeTc4cSIPboEiPWOgITxRAPrrZRQUpQqHqy9YR-hiQczaRsJxUE/s400/IMG_2585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This snarling, gleaming, black beast was woefully under used pootling along at a couple of miles an hour whilst Kathie and I ooooh'd and aaaah'd over the dozens of nighthawks swooping overhead and listened to the Purple Martins warbling song as dusk fell. But my goodness we were riding in style!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWymQTFt4Yaa7BnvSq4KlkpVWZrM0ISyf_hjkmaOFDdY7HAwzVX8oiM2_ML1F2uTTggZ1y0AQBZaK2jbeUcKaDIXqn2-F3SnRH0NhCeYfFnaGo9tQob56Qkm7F2GQ-A1zx_r7kPN0Rcg/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWymQTFt4Yaa7BnvSq4KlkpVWZrM0ISyf_hjkmaOFDdY7HAwzVX8oiM2_ML1F2uTTggZ1y0AQBZaK2jbeUcKaDIXqn2-F3SnRH0NhCeYfFnaGo9tQob56Qkm7F2GQ-A1zx_r7kPN0Rcg/s400/IMG_2587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As the sun began to set it started to throw a beautiful golden glow over the land.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqkLK-9LBVV3MTB6MUFNjpCUlU3FOmsjN8AIy1eQCBegrfqfwL4xfjXQoXEbPF1N2tJHY9k-7Whr3K2nqUa_gmKb46LxP8YtFlYbFz2lBZnEBn4MFGwF2NwL86NROPm6dqYoiS4Cr1xk/s1600/IMG_2590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqkLK-9LBVV3MTB6MUFNjpCUlU3FOmsjN8AIy1eQCBegrfqfwL4xfjXQoXEbPF1N2tJHY9k-7Whr3K2nqUa_gmKb46LxP8YtFlYbFz2lBZnEBn4MFGwF2NwL86NROPm6dqYoiS4Cr1xk/s400/IMG_2590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWeaL8wda7ZXXXOAuuZzsYuiT1F3N-wKBwEyqReC1bwHDeajr4q3yU0LhsspmZ6DnEdBXNRsinyq5HI1e5nUdQw_oGkjYC4WsI4-dGo7SQ0AOmkafIJzOLNWXjfEMW4MO8Y1edw4o9cw/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWeaL8wda7ZXXXOAuuZzsYuiT1F3N-wKBwEyqReC1bwHDeajr4q3yU0LhsspmZ6DnEdBXNRsinyq5HI1e5nUdQw_oGkjYC4WsI4-dGo7SQ0AOmkafIJzOLNWXjfEMW4MO8Y1edw4o9cw/s400/IMG_2593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It just got more and more dramatic each minute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePPMZ6MH7NXJEqoB2M8_GCIKlcVj4JohCBiNKGRxyo2E1xAyF7_lKoBqSL-gIoI1xUWqjEfvHXrmr4PlOQqW2g7ZF-C-aX5nqSLnGGN_fPhBl1e-GzE9awPPLIsb97y8bABX1CFkWJOI/s1600/IMG_2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePPMZ6MH7NXJEqoB2M8_GCIKlcVj4JohCBiNKGRxyo2E1xAyF7_lKoBqSL-gIoI1xUWqjEfvHXrmr4PlOQqW2g7ZF-C-aX5nqSLnGGN_fPhBl1e-GzE9awPPLIsb97y8bABX1CFkWJOI/s400/IMG_2598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq62m8PKZfm9fKcltSG0xS20DPdRiSPSh4yM7Fl4E4oY4Eo2zEQH3admbxWIp-YvFsUOpDDH8Vr4VNO_0o_HWlk02mOCGq18HehNSUgymSCBdlEKsWX15iDbpDLUxWrd-sPAdlNUGxgic/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq62m8PKZfm9fKcltSG0xS20DPdRiSPSh4yM7Fl4E4oY4Eo2zEQH3admbxWIp-YvFsUOpDDH8Vr4VNO_0o_HWlk02mOCGq18HehNSUgymSCBdlEKsWX15iDbpDLUxWrd-sPAdlNUGxgic/s400/IMG_2601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Even after the gleaming orb slid below the horizon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVPvSFc4vsiFWqLzXeHUuAZcl_6RBkKIHp_lO0sTuXufExkv6DgVih4EtZ67ocdvdqNhLUCe1kIcGgmy8l_7EYwDWL0TOjo_KYjbu10U5KquJkgT3mZdQp9jwAiZy3HCyLJWNUIFQEdw/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVPvSFc4vsiFWqLzXeHUuAZcl_6RBkKIHp_lO0sTuXufExkv6DgVih4EtZ67ocdvdqNhLUCe1kIcGgmy8l_7EYwDWL0TOjo_KYjbu10U5KquJkgT3mZdQp9jwAiZy3HCyLJWNUIFQEdw/s400/IMG_2606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
No matter which direction we looked in, the sky was a glorious palette of spectacular colours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOrztO1bxSV5eiQ_yojGIbOsEudPcrHtkIxrFiR3c4sPIearGOHmR1mYLunnSMoxTvUY6vU8wGPBsuIrl16Box6EhVnBRUu4QmWKvA1k1fxk5l6lUlalPfwle8q1MFV0XsLAwWdyT7Ns/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOrztO1bxSV5eiQ_yojGIbOsEudPcrHtkIxrFiR3c4sPIearGOHmR1mYLunnSMoxTvUY6vU8wGPBsuIrl16Box6EhVnBRUu4QmWKvA1k1fxk5l6lUlalPfwle8q1MFV0XsLAwWdyT7Ns/s400/IMG_2608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9djRi2EEs8xgevAo4y-mQr5N4MudOsJ1fq-BJXVGs2eBscseu4ozYefwIcGHikgKKsc3JLIOKuBTx93QO4CCkGfmcm6OjKUhv5M1m2ez72TWVGoQRPF0pOcswthmRyeqT6zfl5btOCIU/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9djRi2EEs8xgevAo4y-mQr5N4MudOsJ1fq-BJXVGs2eBscseu4ozYefwIcGHikgKKsc3JLIOKuBTx93QO4CCkGfmcm6OjKUhv5M1m2ez72TWVGoQRPF0pOcswthmRyeqT6zfl5btOCIU/s400/IMG_2610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0lzi5vB8rKEZCabr-Se1Is50dW4olZbZbXHiUEF3ESwgsuFwXjDCxf0JxOkwv_GTrqt6f_jRc-fDsLQOk3IEJFlb89IPTtyueML3sycfG_hlNeRk6yTM4TZ0YMZPtov436vpEawpIo/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0lzi5vB8rKEZCabr-Se1Is50dW4olZbZbXHiUEF3ESwgsuFwXjDCxf0JxOkwv_GTrqt6f_jRc-fDsLQOk3IEJFlb89IPTtyueML3sycfG_hlNeRk6yTM4TZ0YMZPtov436vpEawpIo/s400/IMG_2617.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And, as if the sun and the skies weren't putting on a dramatic enough show. A wonderful cloud creature reared up from behind the mountains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKPQReWN7PGPIH6ZdTIrsCiz6B_wytX-ga4oEL_3cYFe6TtooaJVVvVFDBZE-lAJZM7LAIzmuHKd5HDxvf3YleoC41W-hTfPCSnhzhzawmZ4XCcQqcOLQq2vYRfeKQdFT2DI4kOigr6E/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKPQReWN7PGPIH6ZdTIrsCiz6B_wytX-ga4oEL_3cYFe6TtooaJVVvVFDBZE-lAJZM7LAIzmuHKd5HDxvf3YleoC41W-hTfPCSnhzhzawmZ4XCcQqcOLQq2vYRfeKQdFT2DI4kOigr6E/s400/IMG_2619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-34829953545972652672013-09-01T21:12:00.000-05:002013-09-01T21:12:20.185-05:00So Close And Yet..................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn52MWLDJBFfIfjk_-zyEVNvLRsMt_UlGHEsIobIKKCjsskEL62b-kTf4_bP6ddzoKKfUOb8mBJP9MEPqXtXb5ehD2A2MI4AUQL3mU3LUdqFxW36XejCGJJNohjtwxJgT8o1mmgIg2sM/s1600/Copy+(1)+of+IMG_2865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>When I started <a href="http://mkhanter.blogspot.com/">my other blog</a> I made one simple rule, if it doesn't occur on our land it doesn't go on the blog. There have been several times when I have been tempted to cheat but I have managed (so far) to stick to my rule :)<br />
Often in the evening after we have watched the sun set we walk down our driveway and stroll round the neighbourhood. As it starts to get dark it is always intriguing to see what appears. There seems to be a fairly regular Bobcat but I have never yet managed to get a photo of it. Other creatures are equally elusive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHqhEe3ANdGlTZe43gwrv7pFTRtxb34wdDogYfGUBBNsoEKFcpj9qflbfTcOV6T6BFBfb9sj2nTEA5dFXwuP6DbpHe9aK-wkCzoYk_3h9132sevV7zEQCUVMlCyzzxe6_QoXknWYGdwo/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHqhEe3ANdGlTZe43gwrv7pFTRtxb34wdDogYfGUBBNsoEKFcpj9qflbfTcOV6T6BFBfb9sj2nTEA5dFXwuP6DbpHe9aK-wkCzoYk_3h9132sevV7zEQCUVMlCyzzxe6_QoXknWYGdwo/s400/IMG_2349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Some creatures announce their presence from on high, like this Cactus Wren.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk2faxUu8j80xGQLTfeUCnru141LbqxrLSDT3zCgWDrlLkGKUS1N0-OJ6_hRf5efmO7fim5Y9o7RON1H-crJZJXOr4srHqrvXNADk1-HFe4CFCenCH4STWlAXlt74JLlLetNsPj6DmtM/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk2faxUu8j80xGQLTfeUCnru141LbqxrLSDT3zCgWDrlLkGKUS1N0-OJ6_hRf5efmO7fim5Y9o7RON1H-crJZJXOr4srHqrvXNADk1-HFe4CFCenCH4STWlAXlt74JLlLetNsPj6DmtM/s400/IMG_1805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Whilst others I have to look very hard for and follow their calls to their parents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sLqI0BPRI1jgyzN3GRnHXcJLPUGsyBbB5j7BRW2e6RvKgaM68qm5UIFYRmcjUW3F31pKfAETocM521DgGXXGAKu6FKxDWEpH5Is2J4IiDEbJQZ5Z1Ad73NCP9oaMPY68cYyHsV0ybJ8/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sLqI0BPRI1jgyzN3GRnHXcJLPUGsyBbB5j7BRW2e6RvKgaM68qm5UIFYRmcjUW3F31pKfAETocM521DgGXXGAKu6FKxDWEpH5Is2J4IiDEbJQZ5Z1Ad73NCP9oaMPY68cYyHsV0ybJ8/s400/IMG_2506.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Others are quiet and extremely well camouflaged, toning perfectly with the desert colours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N5kXXeGiPOhvkoYaj_hvEmwaTNCYF60tu3ecVKLeT96ygXZlPXwd_y2uzVj9q9HmbbK39c6KWsfubc1-lI4EMJgsytg-e44FrFrk9wefVxZoW5d1RyLWa12TLL8lIPgRbLhZ2D2ruLE/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N5kXXeGiPOhvkoYaj_hvEmwaTNCYF60tu3ecVKLeT96ygXZlPXwd_y2uzVj9q9HmbbK39c6KWsfubc1-lI4EMJgsytg-e44FrFrk9wefVxZoW5d1RyLWa12TLL8lIPgRbLhZ2D2ruLE/s400/IMG_1809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One thing I am always on the look-out for is snakes. They love to slither onto the warm asphalt which provides great photo opportunities. This juvenile Western Diamondback was barely a foot and a half long with a little button rather than a rattle on the tip of its tail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn52MWLDJBFfIfjk_-zyEVNvLRsMt_UlGHEsIobIKKCjsskEL62b-kTf4_bP6ddzoKKfUOb8mBJP9MEPqXtXb5ehD2A2MI4AUQL3mU3LUdqFxW36XejCGJJNohjtwxJgT8o1mmgIg2sM/s1600/Copy+%281%29+of+IMG_2865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn52MWLDJBFfIfjk_-zyEVNvLRsMt_UlGHEsIobIKKCjsskEL62b-kTf4_bP6ddzoKKfUOb8mBJP9MEPqXtXb5ehD2A2MI4AUQL3mU3LUdqFxW36XejCGJJNohjtwxJgT8o1mmgIg2sM/s400/Copy+%281%29+of+IMG_2865.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O-LKMqfLO40UtFAIbEWYsc5qRAs8wkYICBPMiXINKeoorDfh4lYmD34LKjXOpmJB5UZh3WV8BIoe6C5kA2CqXl-O4FKS31rAEn1D-y8Z2tFIepZYJnM1yBCUv5H65ERPohkIVIJgj8w/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O-LKMqfLO40UtFAIbEWYsc5qRAs8wkYICBPMiXINKeoorDfh4lYmD34LKjXOpmJB5UZh3WV8BIoe6C5kA2CqXl-O4FKS31rAEn1D-y8Z2tFIepZYJnM1yBCUv5H65ERPohkIVIJgj8w/s400/IMG_0176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But what a handsome little chap!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY7Ny3HPOHsY32Pcu26vEAProFEe87IMH2CBcDzIiEWKhVwQqWlcy_S8hcMxRngMa0d55PU86JlI6GugyYTBEY9iuFMk0iYwtvaqJpHenQEN2ZrybZuKiJdVcS-ytoCflLw1ytU_fAL4/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY7Ny3HPOHsY32Pcu26vEAProFEe87IMH2CBcDzIiEWKhVwQqWlcy_S8hcMxRngMa0d55PU86JlI6GugyYTBEY9iuFMk0iYwtvaqJpHenQEN2ZrybZuKiJdVcS-ytoCflLw1ytU_fAL4/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also have to sometimes act as traffic controller. Standing with the snake waving my flashlight to ensure the snake doesn't get run over. I was happy to ensure that this Long-nosed Snake got safely across the road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O-LKMqfLO40UtFAIbEWYsc5qRAs8wkYICBPMiXINKeoorDfh4lYmD34LKjXOpmJB5UZh3WV8BIoe6C5kA2CqXl-O4FKS31rAEn1D-y8Z2tFIepZYJnM1yBCUv5H65ERPohkIVIJgj8w/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49Qk7F5iuk1GmdLtb8CjoLQQBOjdzc1Q_0nWD9jl-CMnWJM6juKbBRPQgYjjVu72Szjia_-1NJLm6bfKu5OnIOxVZsDQ5JruwB48GH0rQMcvmr2NthxAG5xriKrAOci0oDf4rP0s42GA/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49Qk7F5iuk1GmdLtb8CjoLQQBOjdzc1Q_0nWD9jl-CMnWJM6juKbBRPQgYjjVu72Szjia_-1NJLm6bfKu5OnIOxVZsDQ5JruwB48GH0rQMcvmr2NthxAG5xriKrAOci0oDf4rP0s42GA/s400/IMG_2139.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyFxr0HH9VP7wRHS3QOvOeLr_uAGsvUXLAvJNXkqDTjGwfwHtqiEhhjh5a8ZdD_Yj-WYjcodgjmONwTbLTmuyQRCuIzcY31g5-560AYO9Fyq2p9LPVP2G1fvMqImDTDhJbPRiQWc_8RA/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyFxr0HH9VP7wRHS3QOvOeLr_uAGsvUXLAvJNXkqDTjGwfwHtqiEhhjh5a8ZdD_Yj-WYjcodgjmONwTbLTmuyQRCuIzcY31g5-560AYO9Fyq2p9LPVP2G1fvMqImDTDhJbPRiQWc_8RA/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
All very close to home but not quite close enough for my one simple rule. Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-86327957535757530182013-05-23T09:47:00.000-05:002013-05-23T09:47:41.237-05:00After the Storm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAM2pomdXrqUxRw8LpTsS6KLZzuv5ZL4M3IMxiTHmPburr8v0tBNrNb_7z9kLHf0hYpPmg7yJYUkymBifkuiE5E26PdQKvDNJkJ9PD4bRlxbaZX-qags_51W68Czq9VpwvRmPlMqRNdo/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>We recently took a trip to New Jersey to visit my husbands family. He grew up on the west side of the Atlantic and I grew up on the other side of it so we both have a great fondness for the sea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMgKLHR51XyYnjkcwzhxJKRyEWw56lkhoBsEUmNCYxUhkjz0wFCWDjrR1HCfjT0mu-oWG5yJ_XlcyY2enwq9eCSWsGB4umb5MVzvtJbTagVCe7bpIZ3yRBbrkzpTlo1nOjBjXJFnnBgo/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMgKLHR51XyYnjkcwzhxJKRyEWw56lkhoBsEUmNCYxUhkjz0wFCWDjrR1HCfjT0mu-oWG5yJ_XlcyY2enwq9eCSWsGB4umb5MVzvtJbTagVCe7bpIZ3yRBbrkzpTlo1nOjBjXJFnnBgo/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
First priority upon arrival, a walk on the beach. To a Brit the concept of restricted access to a beach is a totally bizarre thing but luckily for me we were there before Memorial Day so the restrictions were not yet in place. We had had a big storm the night before so on the first morning there was still a strong wind and a good sea running, although I have to say this would classify as a calm day on the other side of the pond! I love walking along the sand seeing what has been washed up by the tide - that's another weird thing, the tide drop here is a matter of inches, where I grew up it is 20+ feet! so walking the tide line here is essentially walking along the sea edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgvA3xXRbsud3zLEZjumbrJJg91IQjnpvVpaVsEL7EAa_LwasHJV0z_ddVWglcmcHYU1asifm0GaqQXfUvDKnl8vq8hoHpKzBcJPZ2b6-MDylB-leRSXfGEAVPnw658ItbH8mawSqkAA/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgvA3xXRbsud3zLEZjumbrJJg91IQjnpvVpaVsEL7EAa_LwasHJV0z_ddVWglcmcHYU1asifm0GaqQXfUvDKnl8vq8hoHpKzBcJPZ2b6-MDylB-leRSXfGEAVPnw658ItbH8mawSqkAA/s400/IMG_0411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxYZM_-HWYvP4j1GT2focZrud-RQq_lfesJsIlvPLDPmRW2z96kU9Pm-LTRLVZAsk4bzAbC-teHp1W9TbwoNWlGLRf99xpu_fv-LYJvXHH6oJJu54pjPrNOLvdq9tqnnDKfi1IC34T9o/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxYZM_-HWYvP4j1GT2focZrud-RQq_lfesJsIlvPLDPmRW2z96kU9Pm-LTRLVZAsk4bzAbC-teHp1W9TbwoNWlGLRf99xpu_fv-LYJvXHH6oJJu54pjPrNOLvdq9tqnnDKfi1IC34T9o/s400/IMG_0413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAM2pomdXrqUxRw8LpTsS6KLZzuv5ZL4M3IMxiTHmPburr8v0tBNrNb_7z9kLHf0hYpPmg7yJYUkymBifkuiE5E26PdQKvDNJkJ9PD4bRlxbaZX-qags_51W68Czq9VpwvRmPlMqRNdo/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAM2pomdXrqUxRw8LpTsS6KLZzuv5ZL4M3IMxiTHmPburr8v0tBNrNb_7z9kLHf0hYpPmg7yJYUkymBifkuiE5E26PdQKvDNJkJ9PD4bRlxbaZX-qags_51W68Czq9VpwvRmPlMqRNdo/s400/IMG_0409.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were a few gulls that viewed me with vague interest, just incase I had anything to eat but soon realised I was a lost cause and took to the wing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeihzFMmWO0XbR4FBms1kjgI08dYMyHN2RH-N2oUDcajc4g3_5S77Q4UqbD-UxNYIMlramPw2Bmaa9QifeDOMJhymXATwEj0v-CFmaAcesfsy8BFVHoJpin5uv4WCu5glAWwGabk3ujw/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeihzFMmWO0XbR4FBms1kjgI08dYMyHN2RH-N2oUDcajc4g3_5S77Q4UqbD-UxNYIMlramPw2Bmaa9QifeDOMJhymXATwEj0v-CFmaAcesfsy8BFVHoJpin5uv4WCu5glAWwGabk3ujw/s400/IMG_0415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This little Bonaparte's Gull found his own breakfast, fresh from the sea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscCYW02E2m2B1k_Gz2GjXbOe700e_WsjqkNQmTZ0Bk1jEbKIT08-TqEU9wVrbapfNUHBnMgeuwS812DMktJlrFtN0k4J8f9z_svf07RypuUOJ82AvkfuEWUE1e8kdNHIG8GMdKcuashY/s1600/IMG_0430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscCYW02E2m2B1k_Gz2GjXbOe700e_WsjqkNQmTZ0Bk1jEbKIT08-TqEU9wVrbapfNUHBnMgeuwS812DMktJlrFtN0k4J8f9z_svf07RypuUOJ82AvkfuEWUE1e8kdNHIG8GMdKcuashY/s400/IMG_0430.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After blowing away the cobwebs we said goodbye to the sea and headed off for various family gatherings.<br />
Next day was a whole different picture, clear blue skies and bright sunshine with that brilliant light level so unique to being beside the sea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc83eaHmrzzfOBvxw8XnNDgplrU951Gvp6WUV4g6jut6NEfJP0S1MYetjYpzNYG07h4VOXQWdL-WzHT4MQCw8sNXyMRcK41ZJok76D_l91UHF6GajHxg11h1HiI0I3_QRD3dviwzvYjxg/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc83eaHmrzzfOBvxw8XnNDgplrU951Gvp6WUV4g6jut6NEfJP0S1MYetjYpzNYG07h4VOXQWdL-WzHT4MQCw8sNXyMRcK41ZJok76D_l91UHF6GajHxg11h1HiI0I3_QRD3dviwzvYjxg/s400/IMG_0419.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were some odd creatures hopping about on the rocks too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0k_Z7a__H8RO471VM7ga3WGe3JavqW52dItRxjExVEpFDsrgSKiHcPnbQPtC1ncaZbJh2-DAKR_HiYs74XovAZFC0i8jtVM0vI80szX3QEtbg_sBNxOxrTRqDrLJ_ApeTvcpGs-V_9pE/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0k_Z7a__H8RO471VM7ga3WGe3JavqW52dItRxjExVEpFDsrgSKiHcPnbQPtC1ncaZbJh2-DAKR_HiYs74XovAZFC0i8jtVM0vI80szX3QEtbg_sBNxOxrTRqDrLJ_ApeTvcpGs-V_9pE/s400/IMG_0427.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Scars from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy were still evident in places.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahpMxQlqaITkWAhvHcFn8y6d_2cH_sUal3L7IzaQOBFHj0gf4DZYq22KHlJe809ELGEWGZXMAy4I3SiG9JJD8j6TnvY95PksbMjrIBaIje9wmWZJPzRnxmVoVRdpETo9sDcT0AGJwF7k/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahpMxQlqaITkWAhvHcFn8y6d_2cH_sUal3L7IzaQOBFHj0gf4DZYq22KHlJe809ELGEWGZXMAy4I3SiG9JJD8j6TnvY95PksbMjrIBaIje9wmWZJPzRnxmVoVRdpETo9sDcT0AGJwF7k/s400/IMG_0432.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But it was obvious that a huge amount of work had been done and it was still ongoing. Where we were staying the entire boardwalk had been destroyed but reconstruction was well on it's way. The rush being on to get it finished before Memorial Day in order to keep control of people entering the beach!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7u4-P7y2U8xJDAcMvYJc6cjdIOOVk0wKuXg7tj3SoTW8almLuy_g4RVIfxAiDqfWx1DG-XMLl7DnaBfx0sjd8Fal9rIXKRXQL8iNerZabkhaEQ5OptkJghjnLkSBOowhtXIXHCVx1Tg/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7u4-P7y2U8xJDAcMvYJc6cjdIOOVk0wKuXg7tj3SoTW8almLuy_g4RVIfxAiDqfWx1DG-XMLl7DnaBfx0sjd8Fal9rIXKRXQL8iNerZabkhaEQ5OptkJghjnLkSBOowhtXIXHCVx1Tg/s400/IMG_0431.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Whilst walking along the seafront we encountered this gaggle of geese out for a stroll, Brants I think. They were enjoying the day just as much as everyone else it seemed and were quite unperturbed by all the people around them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahpMxQlqaITkWAhvHcFn8y6d_2cH_sUal3L7IzaQOBFHj0gf4DZYq22KHlJe809ELGEWGZXMAy4I3SiG9JJD8j6TnvY95PksbMjrIBaIje9wmWZJPzRnxmVoVRdpETo9sDcT0AGJwF7k/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7aabrH_BHT2EetXviNkD5pcLihT-q0WNy9eCc-tobvxvmqnQ49C_yTMq7jktPJ_fcyj1sKC2xXKvn-AlY5cHzRZv80ZRWO4skeebQ3ICSkNbew-v2ZFzyHC31iasi4hebR8sXNUdSjo/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7aabrH_BHT2EetXviNkD5pcLihT-q0WNy9eCc-tobvxvmqnQ49C_yTMq7jktPJ_fcyj1sKC2xXKvn-AlY5cHzRZv80ZRWO4skeebQ3ICSkNbew-v2ZFzyHC31iasi4hebR8sXNUdSjo/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Last stop was the boardwalk at Point Pleasant so that my husband could revisit his mis-spent youth. This area had been devastated by the hurricane but the reconstruction was pretty much complete and everyone was out enjoying the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtqbjQYUnzs3ROskHisQX-RFiGkS1jYTMXtRm2YfmYxsN5bQQcU8aCNAMfnv8GeOtzIQ8bHBZ4VREiFNQBrsQeKSzPjUXrIiwXKXFeRyv0ctQqmxMq-pIGm5L_xW8YaMcLEd4qvfMhQ/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtqbjQYUnzs3ROskHisQX-RFiGkS1jYTMXtRm2YfmYxsN5bQQcU8aCNAMfnv8GeOtzIQ8bHBZ4VREiFNQBrsQeKSzPjUXrIiwXKXFeRyv0ctQqmxMq-pIGm5L_xW8YaMcLEd4qvfMhQ/s400/IMG_0441.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next time we visit the ocean, next month, we will be on the other side of it and there will be no boardwalks and free access to all the beaches!!Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-32147258979805113782013-04-14T22:54:00.000-05:002013-04-14T22:54:16.457-05:00A Morning of Mixed FortunesWe decided that we weren't up for rushing round chasing birds, we just wanted a quiet, peaceful morning in the park. <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/">Kathie</a> knew just the spot - <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/2013/03/saguaro-national-park-birds.html">Javalina Picnic Area</a> in Saguaro NP East. I managed to tear my husband away from his computer to go for a hike too so, although I'm not into 'stones at birds', we were definitely 'killing two' in this case :) I waved off my intrepid hiker on his trek and then we settled ourselves in the shade with our tea, bins, cameras, bird books and breakfast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG5z0Ic5vYSLFqcdsE-LtdVIPiYPNKa3bo_QpC5e5ud_rHvCUjZWR9JcwIb3Xl7F_hg3A46rGKSJwOfGXEAo_Y5USPopgtu9JawZcVlCP5y4GNYgGbyUg4RJ1Tw9X1W_4T1Hig1z4OTc/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG5z0Ic5vYSLFqcdsE-LtdVIPiYPNKa3bo_QpC5e5ud_rHvCUjZWR9JcwIb3Xl7F_hg3A46rGKSJwOfGXEAo_Y5USPopgtu9JawZcVlCP5y4GNYgGbyUg4RJ1Tw9X1W_4T1Hig1z4OTc/s400/IMG_1915.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The birds were actually remarkably quiet early on so we sat chatting and watching the antics of a very sweet Antelope Squirrel who was definitely used to getting snacks from people at these tables.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQAeEej9muPyNvvtRnLIdD0weOs9OHBq3WjqVuGWeJN8Bn5LslkLeOxiwPx4cPOryFtOKH8TLngd-oYCjqfoQaHyIvXHSPxJx0Rx7L2NFrQsIHJR8mtTVpUFS9LYWQ-xO0DzaptrOPzw/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQAeEej9muPyNvvtRnLIdD0weOs9OHBq3WjqVuGWeJN8Bn5LslkLeOxiwPx4cPOryFtOKH8TLngd-oYCjqfoQaHyIvXHSPxJx0Rx7L2NFrQsIHJR8mtTVpUFS9LYWQ-xO0DzaptrOPzw/s400/IMG_1961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Soon our peace was shattered by my phone, it was my husband calling to see if we could see him up on the ridge. What is it about guys? They need to be seen conquering things? Bless them! Anyway we trained our binoculars along the ridge and finally spotted a tiny figuring toiling away up high. Having satisfied him that we could see him, we turned back to our birds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHsmocN2UEOfE79kV6_s6Kfi3kuB_-loxLZGmVfNExrUufDaMKxQS957V_DuYDAtshbI3kZHgvRA4T1D4ERYEecCZC0KKGuZEL2fnYcNPdgn5VyMD7CRMaDXoZSZ39QYShmwntUNCX9o/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHsmocN2UEOfE79kV6_s6Kfi3kuB_-loxLZGmVfNExrUufDaMKxQS957V_DuYDAtshbI3kZHgvRA4T1D4ERYEecCZC0KKGuZEL2fnYcNPdgn5VyMD7CRMaDXoZSZ39QYShmwntUNCX9o/s400/IMG_1916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
First on parade were the comical Gambell's Quail, chattering and fussing away as they pottered down the trail. Unusually they flew up into a small tree and began pecking. We couldn't quite tell if they were eating the leaf buds or little bugs on the leaves but whatever it was they were certainly enjoying it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZF0oDZNgS_22g7tRPqZd-OxbCnEK7XyyHva8HJ3pF_Ddsw50u92Yihst47flbY1zxshp0Y_lG4Y-h8KxP-lXvAmZZ5gKze_cQTVzJrzn74SmPukpzakCE0OoqPVa1mEZCOwk2zrOCjE/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZF0oDZNgS_22g7tRPqZd-OxbCnEK7XyyHva8HJ3pF_Ddsw50u92Yihst47flbY1zxshp0Y_lG4Y-h8KxP-lXvAmZZ5gKze_cQTVzJrzn74SmPukpzakCE0OoqPVa1mEZCOwk2zrOCjE/s400/IMG_1918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They were followed by a very handsome male Cardinal who posed obligingly for us before flying off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbksUEOjbnmqQh_NQWhCmBaMf7_Papk0ojfiz1HMtNBn2tVEL42asd3TXzSvFVpf5fHTSYIBzkAqkFCDiHHG-9zlJbKxlPh3lpbVt1yne5Q5sqNI7fQ_ceOFT2V6YRLaY2_pifdAbClo/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbksUEOjbnmqQh_NQWhCmBaMf7_Papk0ojfiz1HMtNBn2tVEL42asd3TXzSvFVpf5fHTSYIBzkAqkFCDiHHG-9zlJbKxlPh3lpbVt1yne5Q5sqNI7fQ_ceOFT2V6YRLaY2_pifdAbClo/s400/IMG_1924.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our little Antelope Squirrel soon came back and we eventually folded and gave her a cashew nut, which seemed to meet with her approval. Look at that beautiful lichen on the rock that she chose as her dining table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5Y51l5XO0VoK_4g1ziGns7UuC54R37Kz0vKU3lNKzyVapoHOAlEsf5GE2C6Wl1_-pCJXd6j1lDVSEAeq8nQuXpECILsR7Br5CDNSCXDAx4H5iTRK7DDNo82lafAhyU_j6xnpQlB4efE/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5Y51l5XO0VoK_4g1ziGns7UuC54R37Kz0vKU3lNKzyVapoHOAlEsf5GE2C6Wl1_-pCJXd6j1lDVSEAeq8nQuXpECILsR7Br5CDNSCXDAx4H5iTRK7DDNo82lafAhyU_j6xnpQlB4efE/s400/IMG_1920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A little black butterfly came in to land and I managed to get a photo of it which is a surprise in itself, usually I get a blurry blob! When I looked closer at the picture I noticed that it wasn't just a black butterfly, it had a yellow head! I found out later by pouring over my books that it is a Golden-headed Scallopwing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80cJXZE7c0Fvyo_peoY8Ap3FBXJq8WjAfeuKOG4Y1eLb8eReudQa48Rw_kxzsQFyzQSFcCry7oB1gQ8_qTyjHcFmPQ2L6zQiG-Qg6DeMxoAYpyy4ntwilIV4KRR7t4VQgMyc8eTOqAj0/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80cJXZE7c0Fvyo_peoY8Ap3FBXJq8WjAfeuKOG4Y1eLb8eReudQa48Rw_kxzsQFyzQSFcCry7oB1gQ8_qTyjHcFmPQ2L6zQiG-Qg6DeMxoAYpyy4ntwilIV4KRR7t4VQgMyc8eTOqAj0/s400/IMG_1926.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The birds were not being very active but it was a lovely morning to just be outside and enjoy our surroundings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fLYUGh9agzFvBfkvOU48UuHUsTgCFslCHqtvlS-qowDmNjGnzjhif5fxep_emCLYAzkH-XVlOHNgv3ypZVzPRYY4bJUe1P1M3RnIz685gtqg-fZ8T7MrzFVCr3RU4tA3l7cm07z6mAI/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fLYUGh9agzFvBfkvOU48UuHUsTgCFslCHqtvlS-qowDmNjGnzjhif5fxep_emCLYAzkH-XVlOHNgv3ypZVzPRYY4bJUe1P1M3RnIz685gtqg-fZ8T7MrzFVCr3RU4tA3l7cm07z6mAI/s400/IMG_1931.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After another half an hour or so we decided to walk a nearby loop, it was only a mile long and Kathie knew there was a spot where Great-horned Owls were known to nest. How cool would that be if we could spot them?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXwj2sruqmE7dSknBt44A8EM9LI1OiJKfl8mH4QRxkhemholUMmypiP0pa2DLbJLKE-Ct7TWixb6VNqY-yYpuQChOocNIxQv-UL9ioWnr8XOz2nKlPkPZsu17P5X5f0IUDAJdVg3p4xk/s1600/IMG_1933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXwj2sruqmE7dSknBt44A8EM9LI1OiJKfl8mH4QRxkhemholUMmypiP0pa2DLbJLKE-Ct7TWixb6VNqY-yYpuQChOocNIxQv-UL9ioWnr8XOz2nKlPkPZsu17P5X5f0IUDAJdVg3p4xk/s400/IMG_1933.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We set out down the trail and were soon spotting birds like this Black-throated Sparrow<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC1FJXIgqsU4snGHPyi6zdiYNqiXsPs1olY3Trj9J2BlwPDtjSUi1iNHUcrw-F6y8A_TH5sO8hmwjhPxnoESzdA2n6slpdWZgl6Y0wIIn8m8e6azx9168Oi9GvFcpjJiCz6lgdpStVYc/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC1FJXIgqsU4snGHPyi6zdiYNqiXsPs1olY3Trj9J2BlwPDtjSUi1iNHUcrw-F6y8A_TH5sO8hmwjhPxnoESzdA2n6slpdWZgl6Y0wIIn8m8e6azx9168Oi9GvFcpjJiCz6lgdpStVYc/s400/IMG_1934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And a beautiful pair of Kestrels perched up high atop of Saguaros on either side of the trail<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3Qn-h93WX25yGv7RnRzxPedfqXKBhYLqHy4upKdqhpyMJ83OSH3KM8Ae6sNTIt0rzsbQcRiLljXGaWeeY55yW1jEy-jgs8nXh7XDUJagiLKmAltEfPDKwKGfQkMQ0o4saghUJkvV-_g/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3Qn-h93WX25yGv7RnRzxPedfqXKBhYLqHy4upKdqhpyMJ83OSH3KM8Ae6sNTIt0rzsbQcRiLljXGaWeeY55yW1jEy-jgs8nXh7XDUJagiLKmAltEfPDKwKGfQkMQ0o4saghUJkvV-_g/s400/IMG_1941.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xvTKAG1CeJ1Nc74vDMH9RrzIdCQMGTOgMPaMiXk99B2Skg5EAgOGrJiegMeuUvQIuHmiKnTtEIjIlE-oqyOZ7Iu83Ste9fWSISU3oN_RjmMaGFGMpAuJDfI2L5x3U16g9ovxrlijkF4/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xvTKAG1CeJ1Nc74vDMH9RrzIdCQMGTOgMPaMiXk99B2Skg5EAgOGrJiegMeuUvQIuHmiKnTtEIjIlE-oqyOZ7Iu83Ste9fWSISU3oN_RjmMaGFGMpAuJDfI2L5x3U16g9ovxrlijkF4/s400/IMG_1949.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Many of the plants were blooming too which just added to the beautiful morning<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_dYUCEnQCa12JFH6W0SNxDCv2m6IpKzAYnxpIbzwJOBz3tOUTHKfQQx96DndTRndMRJllq47ygAu0X9AuNeiGVhVqtf_Su5vnSiKMc4eOncAbg_Ktv_Zv1YphO4B9RVPu6CC_i5PQ9Y/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_dYUCEnQCa12JFH6W0SNxDCv2m6IpKzAYnxpIbzwJOBz3tOUTHKfQQx96DndTRndMRJllq47ygAu0X9AuNeiGVhVqtf_Su5vnSiKMc4eOncAbg_Ktv_Zv1YphO4B9RVPu6CC_i5PQ9Y/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately at this point things went a little awry when Kathie trod on a stone which moved under her foot and sent her crashing to the ground. I turned round just as she cried out and landed at my feet. I have to say, if this had been me I would have been bawling my eyes out at this point but Kathie was more concerned about her camera - seriously! I suggested we went back to the car but Kathie wasn't about to give up on the day. We sat quietly for a while whilst I tried to patch up her leg and hand that were very badly gashed up. The little band aids really weren't man enough for the job but I did my best. She was soon up and on the go again, ever watchful for more birds. I suspect that adrenaline was keeping her going as this fall would later lay her low for several days. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyBFiAad1bq3uDVEv7eK0bcKljahPnjzM6O3KXJ-on5rxXpFbXZhsgjMtMfKQO5FW1PqbBK3aVuoasWk9m6KQpvmI1X4AX-R64AB_wJXsbG8VEJvqgiZJ5LMnlSzvSMFRUD7JLD-lp1Q/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyBFiAad1bq3uDVEv7eK0bcKljahPnjzM6O3KXJ-on5rxXpFbXZhsgjMtMfKQO5FW1PqbBK3aVuoasWk9m6KQpvmI1X4AX-R64AB_wJXsbG8VEJvqgiZJ5LMnlSzvSMFRUD7JLD-lp1Q/s400/IMG_1946.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We finished the loop, adding several more species to our list, including the nesting Great-horned Owls and then Kathie dropped me back at the picnic area before heading home to clean up her wounds. By now it had started to warm up a little and my little furry friend was stretched out in the shade keeping cool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98d2Ea-tJz5wLMXp6fRIb57DM0NXpHI5GGQepT9Vy2dwPstAVVHQoIBfUwpXLSIlgZld4H4jduonQHNR_SD2XI_xdtfoOJ7_vTUvvWgNP4DhEqEErhlFs3odXPora-WxgopMJr2SeLR4/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98d2Ea-tJz5wLMXp6fRIb57DM0NXpHI5GGQepT9Vy2dwPstAVVHQoIBfUwpXLSIlgZld4H4jduonQHNR_SD2XI_xdtfoOJ7_vTUvvWgNP4DhEqEErhlFs3odXPora-WxgopMJr2SeLR4/s400/IMG_1954.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As soon as Kathie left, a species that we had been expecting to see put in an appearance. A pair of Canyon Towhee scratching around in the dirt. But they didn't stay long and I barely got one photo off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW_qBiaPOHSVCRzwYDsOHXMU2ifjF-1g9Wawo5K1zFi61ah_CgC2MVq9BSvStkCbnF2DrXeZPFzT5l_gGV-C7TjebAAvoNIZFlzqQ1ICfBRH-o8pq5XHdKkwQKWrd_OHVe1WAQo5_GLg/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW_qBiaPOHSVCRzwYDsOHXMU2ifjF-1g9Wawo5K1zFi61ah_CgC2MVq9BSvStkCbnF2DrXeZPFzT5l_gGV-C7TjebAAvoNIZFlzqQ1ICfBRH-o8pq5XHdKkwQKWrd_OHVe1WAQo5_GLg/s400/IMG_1952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Soon a Thrasher appeared to check up on me. I felt as though I should stand to attention and salute or something under that ferocious glare!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC9MIrPLs8CX407N7vWrqmDGLl7N7pOtB-JuSQ-4sdSFPqCBUnX0-ZddTV2knThKYyAgrREwypE6yPPG3oAkWlaJ61iakG1gI2JctWEn0_Bf0GRY2bEjJmN9cvukSt4r5MQ-gnaueaDA/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC9MIrPLs8CX407N7vWrqmDGLl7N7pOtB-JuSQ-4sdSFPqCBUnX0-ZddTV2knThKYyAgrREwypE6yPPG3oAkWlaJ61iakG1gI2JctWEn0_Bf0GRY2bEjJmN9cvukSt4r5MQ-gnaueaDA/s400/IMG_1953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Someone else also wanted to see what I was doing and she was prepared to get really 'up close and personal' to check me out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSWN4B6UjIftjpSw3ksIIK3e6vXQwL11DfYIN1G4UCukEbI5qEmsGGeGH7S_KH8abJVJTwQhC7VBq-MoVaUMVFGO9UgM2Vxy_l-Wz7-IL6U2zbM_bA67nolDKp6Xa1H0xoz4_J6MZDvo/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSWN4B6UjIftjpSw3ksIIK3e6vXQwL11DfYIN1G4UCukEbI5qEmsGGeGH7S_KH8abJVJTwQhC7VBq-MoVaUMVFGO9UgM2Vxy_l-Wz7-IL6U2zbM_bA67nolDKp6Xa1H0xoz4_J6MZDvo/s400/IMG_1959.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I don't think I have ever had such a close encounter with a female Cardinal. She seemed just as intrigued by me as I was by her. It was a very magical moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDc5SkrQz0L6k_aJnRfbGIZIyKl_imdfUntzAtoh0AbrRWU-Bgd6dUpTTsrjnQ1Y_dxQMfq7EaqvwYMe-W1Q0mxnKoqu52deb0uhX7n9qv8qk2TQ-gjbnkoqfdfJXvg1JcIXa2IdZv0s/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDc5SkrQz0L6k_aJnRfbGIZIyKl_imdfUntzAtoh0AbrRWU-Bgd6dUpTTsrjnQ1Y_dxQMfq7EaqvwYMe-W1Q0mxnKoqu52deb0uhX7n9qv8qk2TQ-gjbnkoqfdfJXvg1JcIXa2IdZv0s/s400/IMG_1962.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Determined not to be outdone, the Antelope Ground Squirrel continued her impossibly cute antics. I was beginning to feel as if I was in the midst of a Disney movie!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS27XwtuJrjEoVaLX6z-KQy2CGzHVnCiHlicfd0EZoktDB2IaGg5VJskvH3CfEYAFDFRh2z3nHKJpGnla4E2TuSMxiUFL3OpBoAjECnWXp_QS8YaNRD1BugPkEKYc8LlmbezjAsDW-oIE/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS27XwtuJrjEoVaLX6z-KQy2CGzHVnCiHlicfd0EZoktDB2IaGg5VJskvH3CfEYAFDFRh2z3nHKJpGnla4E2TuSMxiUFL3OpBoAjECnWXp_QS8YaNRD1BugPkEKYc8LlmbezjAsDW-oIE/s400/IMG_1960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But all good things must come to an end and soon enough 'the rambling man' appeared hot and thirsty and very happy after a good hike. It was time to bid all the animals goodbye and head back home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLveNDCZHZmO7txVuzRuThjOVmfaQuPX82Ni6DQk3WbFmpHaqAf51VI9pth-fVMNdcZZcwVx0fmx5c9TJ8yZmALMMvRLLKN2Qj5DhPMLAnGKMUz7iI_cLu_JqnmbwrlMpo3Aya7hPwwk/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLveNDCZHZmO7txVuzRuThjOVmfaQuPX82Ni6DQk3WbFmpHaqAf51VI9pth-fVMNdcZZcwVx0fmx5c9TJ8yZmALMMvRLLKN2Qj5DhPMLAnGKMUz7iI_cLu_JqnmbwrlMpo3Aya7hPwwk/s400/IMG_1964.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We had a lovely morning, apart from Kathie's nasty fall and for those of you who don't follow her <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/">blogs</a> (and you really should) she is being very sensible, taking things slowly and making a good recovery. You can't keep a good birder down for long!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHsmocN2UEOfE79kV6_s6Kfi3kuB_-loxLZGmVfNExrUufDaMKxQS957V_DuYDAtshbI3kZHgvRA4T1D4ERYEecCZC0KKGuZEL2fnYcNPdgn5VyMD7CRMaDXoZSZ39QYShmwntUNCX9o/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-37359838555630079422013-03-29T23:47:00.002-05:002013-05-19T19:30:04.323-05:00Las CienegasWe were due for another birding trip. So bright and early on Monday morning I was up making tea and packing my bag for a trip out with <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/">Kathie</a>, my birding buddy. Our destination, Las Cienegas NCA to the south of Tucson.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE3enPrE6mpoao_0lPJtWWvGl0bv_qI4J1Eh_iTN1rCmE1sVmFDsFd3FSkMuMXANyQlIqDGpKrYhHyFPrneDWFHPr_yaYejAu_xJ0xjal7hZy1NtxyhELb350kZfYM0HcZaRi1bGiai4/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE3enPrE6mpoao_0lPJtWWvGl0bv_qI4J1Eh_iTN1rCmE1sVmFDsFd3FSkMuMXANyQlIqDGpKrYhHyFPrneDWFHPr_yaYejAu_xJ0xjal7hZy1NtxyhELb350kZfYM0HcZaRi1bGiai4/s400/IMG_1819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a perfect morning, clear, blue and warm with the gentlest of breezes. we made good time and soon arrived at the Conservation Area. It was only a matter of seconds before we started seeing birds and the first was a new species for me, the Black-throated Sparrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgtYuQ6A1qXY5Qcz1CJYx05i9x9iXsT0O9bMk7yLzfnyIe4HZojGOYuo7Gsli669nI4otXcYMCDMIB2bF_4qecr9FFgzh9Qd70bFXZunPlrf77VC_SvqwHwFyLze4-pqXJ76-IWpKmOU/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgtYuQ6A1qXY5Qcz1CJYx05i9x9iXsT0O9bMk7yLzfnyIe4HZojGOYuo7Gsli669nI4otXcYMCDMIB2bF_4qecr9FFgzh9Qd70bFXZunPlrf77VC_SvqwHwFyLze4-pqXJ76-IWpKmOU/s400/IMG_1817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Not the greatest of photos but it had to be included. What little beauties. As you know I am not a fan of sparrows generally but there are some stunners in the south-west. We trundled on and Kathie asked me if I had seen Pronghorn Antelope before, as I turned and looked out of the window - 'Oh you mean like those three there?'<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1nuIEApsLqKGaJGvlzSEYhpND8PN47mP3ivcqAt-woTLZbJny9sN3QQC5yOPCxIZ1s7kVSiaW9MCSYdQXQs4gjTpDrkZGJmuwOYjincVGgZ68s-CbV9ALbrHxUDTsNItZWyuCB6qb3Q/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1nuIEApsLqKGaJGvlzSEYhpND8PN47mP3ivcqAt-woTLZbJny9sN3QQC5yOPCxIZ1s7kVSiaW9MCSYdQXQs4gjTpDrkZGJmuwOYjincVGgZ68s-CbV9ALbrHxUDTsNItZWyuCB6qb3Q/s400/IMG_1823.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Right on cue, there they were looking so pretty in the golden grass. Well of course I took way too many photos - no great surprise there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNg5dsCx_m3otUIY_CV_wxmYGu_5WvHW2VGcsctTk2Ll4K_7FB3it4TTQ9tig1VAV99OSkKCEzq9cE9BHJB_jJObxN2oZRIszLhxR5bPS3G7FDrt7Q209S1ih2zPyxAI-Asc_BRTQNk/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNg5dsCx_m3otUIY_CV_wxmYGu_5WvHW2VGcsctTk2Ll4K_7FB3it4TTQ9tig1VAV99OSkKCEzq9cE9BHJB_jJObxN2oZRIszLhxR5bPS3G7FDrt7Q209S1ih2zPyxAI-Asc_BRTQNk/s400/IMG_1824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was briefly distracted by a Harrier swooping and hunting low over the grass<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvDgaruJ8yqLjvgKrgU1d_r1FPoAqV8FWW-HFqp5QVfSPolE_pOowVtJyRXfXCmZiKNZG36ah2ZuEk7XKmimqqXfvaLF2mFyssfNCHwn2WShWDSWj9aHanRe5fLjTXtd7U22tGXsYnEE/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvDgaruJ8yqLjvgKrgU1d_r1FPoAqV8FWW-HFqp5QVfSPolE_pOowVtJyRXfXCmZiKNZG36ah2ZuEk7XKmimqqXfvaLF2mFyssfNCHwn2WShWDSWj9aHanRe5fLjTXtd7U22tGXsYnEE/s400/IMG_1828.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>
<br />
but of course I couldn't get a decent shot of it and soon returned to the Pronghorns.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV-oc1w-G8g8DZykciAjUxRk8zUoNOyQEftlnM8CIopXJbzE5C6b685FSa2e3h_kZ5OJN3ziP-H3B6DaMuFCMswqH-AnbdtvToF7wro71j6hspiEtWBKVRf8Y_0ufert-2WDlCureV2Y/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV-oc1w-G8g8DZykciAjUxRk8zUoNOyQEftlnM8CIopXJbzE5C6b685FSa2e3h_kZ5OJN3ziP-H3B6DaMuFCMswqH-AnbdtvToF7wro71j6hspiEtWBKVRf8Y_0ufert-2WDlCureV2Y/s400/IMG_1827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then Kathie spotted an Eastern Lillians Meadowlark posing perfectly in a small tree so I tore myself away from the Pronghorns again, but only briefly!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcn8KiczCRn6H_pv-JdZ5ndjpH1lRGW78cj7uR5Ka6Rnz0HpNBAN96vCGVct1TEQ8FrwTi8AYuiv-M_nMC0R8g11XmbwZgKvkCD7YgbZVyFOMs0_OFSpinX-fhqfnAy_LZ61Qij3GPek/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcn8KiczCRn6H_pv-JdZ5ndjpH1lRGW78cj7uR5Ka6Rnz0HpNBAN96vCGVct1TEQ8FrwTi8AYuiv-M_nMC0R8g11XmbwZgKvkCD7YgbZVyFOMs0_OFSpinX-fhqfnAy_LZ61Qij3GPek/s400/IMG_1860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually they moved off and we were able to continue towards the ranch,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHPx_MQr70mw2FsCykmkSbxu8q2vh3GJ2nrTYzs2ultozblibb14VZ5m798u2al_fKuQtA_rXYtXnV8D2nrkcfAd0rCLSW_K6eVuI0yRXvS_l_X_NCtBVNFq9buDFy87lkMmtBo-M4k0/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHPx_MQr70mw2FsCykmkSbxu8q2vh3GJ2nrTYzs2ultozblibb14VZ5m798u2al_fKuQtA_rXYtXnV8D2nrkcfAd0rCLSW_K6eVuI0yRXvS_l_X_NCtBVNFq9buDFy87lkMmtBo-M4k0/s400/IMG_1833.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd8EpLi8xfHQebF7Yk-3zchTuksa1Ijc5u0rCSRmNrtv6gDh11tSrdnepsocyrh0J5l1eoSXBDAUhQE0g-DJRQafrnusoO1VJ5TBE1bBrJbiQogdfnmlKdF1cMbpXQ2y7YbdO5ZitvIU/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd8EpLi8xfHQebF7Yk-3zchTuksa1Ijc5u0rCSRmNrtv6gDh11tSrdnepsocyrh0J5l1eoSXBDAUhQE0g-DJRQafrnusoO1VJ5TBE1bBrJbiQogdfnmlKdF1cMbpXQ2y7YbdO5ZitvIU/s400/IMG_1841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6flnFJrTWFZ3LhHZJclKgGoh7l6UPrIjDsBlB2kgxYEhVDN3Zu8CAaFdO4GlTuhfMm7s4SvCAhs7en3paEA1CSEexoq5HHW8JoZ12l4T2aZ9UvPMbQlBZHtVMqHWo8bVQxrJyQx8E9nk/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6flnFJrTWFZ3LhHZJclKgGoh7l6UPrIjDsBlB2kgxYEhVDN3Zu8CAaFdO4GlTuhfMm7s4SvCAhs7en3paEA1CSEexoq5HHW8JoZ12l4T2aZ9UvPMbQlBZHtVMqHWo8bVQxrJyQx8E9nk/s400/IMG_1856.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
spotting Horned Larks and White-tailed Deer along the road as we went.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYvGh68LXaVDXWpQTNVgr-yOz01uFXdFGty3p-3l6da8211bJOQIi1tGBzHfTNZHiQ2GhR8llA8aiC4_wEv6nNeZRHN3GpGfxvrlPoSg8ig2_51EK3vo3a9xNmj0RUGaFBS89U-oeQ8/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYvGh68LXaVDXWpQTNVgr-yOz01uFXdFGty3p-3l6da8211bJOQIi1tGBzHfTNZHiQ2GhR8llA8aiC4_wEv6nNeZRHN3GpGfxvrlPoSg8ig2_51EK3vo3a9xNmj0RUGaFBS89U-oeQ8/s400/IMG_1865.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We parked up under a tree with two Turkey Vultures peering down at us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwHO4lD-tj7jbq0qevaqV6fhH92Ykz6WkEuAEOtgYwLq5VSeuuLSP5IIO-YJc6u4b7wmANQVhGE5fFF7ncdQQOcipCPLqJj47-YkqQtzMChM_nHxpXV-UtlUl-jrHYkt7eEr2aCOx8zI/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwHO4lD-tj7jbq0qevaqV6fhH92Ykz6WkEuAEOtgYwLq5VSeuuLSP5IIO-YJc6u4b7wmANQVhGE5fFF7ncdQQOcipCPLqJj47-YkqQtzMChM_nHxpXV-UtlUl-jrHYkt7eEr2aCOx8zI/s400/IMG_1866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were Say's Phoebes and Vermilion Flycatchers hawking insects all around us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmmxvFpHB5BWXcuwIorbDh9z7yHA06DhSpCgGIH7Ho-7EVZwRVKWs1cXkRhnR-hsDtz7hpIBaSLeev50dsTOttndXWII2A17duzhPs52I9GRzhCompiKQ-0HzWH_7hnYx5yrk3DPpLkA/s1600/IMG_1869.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmmxvFpHB5BWXcuwIorbDh9z7yHA06DhSpCgGIH7Ho-7EVZwRVKWs1cXkRhnR-hsDtz7hpIBaSLeev50dsTOttndXWII2A17duzhPs52I9GRzhCompiKQ-0HzWH_7hnYx5yrk3DPpLkA/s400/IMG_1869.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We headed down into the relative shade of the gulch and it was alive with birds. We could hear what Kathie suspected to be a Gray Hawk calling but we couldn't spot it. There were Yellow-rumped Warblers and Chipping Sparrows everywhere we turned.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirb7x8Lh9q0YEL3lhly7e1xD1M4Jb8c92mlwZMgscecRN0i55yc5eEQBLYfGVBV7qNzSLcL0zDC4vNop3W_wA1Avwk0PC-ojpfg6Xo-1fNtpiKgiC2pOwunH04XdYQDWPp7yVvaspvuc0/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirb7x8Lh9q0YEL3lhly7e1xD1M4Jb8c92mlwZMgscecRN0i55yc5eEQBLYfGVBV7qNzSLcL0zDC4vNop3W_wA1Avwk0PC-ojpfg6Xo-1fNtpiKgiC2pOwunH04XdYQDWPp7yVvaspvuc0/s400/IMG_1870.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Where the sun filtered through the trees there were lizards basking in the warmth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL0FIxDomJUE9GUC0Jii_oTgQF5j-YppZet0mmbpUaN-JsyL5St89RX-7ZSNk7csTeV7QY5lurd2VDxU5_AfI9NKDGO0qT6Ji-_-ey_bcVZNqXTh7XGWs2TftpiYJMuaYq0Ua8EVnbk8/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL0FIxDomJUE9GUC0Jii_oTgQF5j-YppZet0mmbpUaN-JsyL5St89RX-7ZSNk7csTeV7QY5lurd2VDxU5_AfI9NKDGO0qT6Ji-_-ey_bcVZNqXTh7XGWs2TftpiYJMuaYq0Ua8EVnbk8/s400/IMG_1872.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYGSZK5PwunYwR1L5egJpakp3IET3bcJcI8Wb31-RFnaP4CfC8pY05ZPOlzUV2stK4i8tPnXej6oyEiZd-n0YoQn36eDzNY02TgCUK1lGdddOBVuthXGopuaU24Sg8QWtMqN3ItgTE54/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYGSZK5PwunYwR1L5egJpakp3IET3bcJcI8Wb31-RFnaP4CfC8pY05ZPOlzUV2stK4i8tPnXej6oyEiZd-n0YoQn36eDzNY02TgCUK1lGdddOBVuthXGopuaU24Sg8QWtMqN3ItgTE54/s400/IMG_1874.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We made very slow progress through the trees as there was something new to look at everywhere we turned. Zone-tailed Hawks, Painted Redstarts, Ruby-crowned Kinglets the list was endless.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1Qovusn6cZFFEcDtQ7xBD3Y0KAchZM3_3HCgJRQELI5msowURXumBfgDOvuG9gCQ0jAtMZEQPJPoy6Wjpf2EphSNiZGii4MujEdxLyyizIdOOTnkmy3hgIIfcOdN5q_SZnXI_YebrqM/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1Qovusn6cZFFEcDtQ7xBD3Y0KAchZM3_3HCgJRQELI5msowURXumBfgDOvuG9gCQ0jAtMZEQPJPoy6Wjpf2EphSNiZGii4MujEdxLyyizIdOOTnkmy3hgIIfcOdN5q_SZnXI_YebrqM/s400/IMG_1873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We walked towards the other end of the gulch towards the water source and as we were carefully negotiating our way around some protruding tree roots a Wilsons Warbler popped out right next to us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6Yr8PEvmreT3zOTCsj1m3UykrLWas1bRvBHJdcd9PTg1cRTu9a9Oh6yFM9kgL7CAKW3ng2H96rKvaTLMk4xTXqPXtO7zJfFGPOdpwZxgZj1BkgHouFPoJImdBVLNLW4_l-NyPJtukb0/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6Yr8PEvmreT3zOTCsj1m3UykrLWas1bRvBHJdcd9PTg1cRTu9a9Oh6yFM9kgL7CAKW3ng2H96rKvaTLMk4xTXqPXtO7zJfFGPOdpwZxgZj1BkgHouFPoJImdBVLNLW4_l-NyPJtukb0/s400/IMG_1879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As he flitted about we tried to get some decent shots of him which wasn't easy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XGa4wPSLMoG1xGKgZ_4Fcx_cUx76_sFRtfTQqGB-cFUqUfrCWE65cLlcfwjD7aDWFkWQ6EOFeJNfD_zQqTwc4qiRTI8M9F3PYsG5cBaZokPrwAthwnuj623koGhCebJlCn4tliEI0ns/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XGa4wPSLMoG1xGKgZ_4Fcx_cUx76_sFRtfTQqGB-cFUqUfrCWE65cLlcfwjD7aDWFkWQ6EOFeJNfD_zQqTwc4qiRTI8M9F3PYsG5cBaZokPrwAthwnuj623koGhCebJlCn4tliEI0ns/s400/IMG_1875.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After reaching the end of the gulch we turned around and slowly picked our way back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRayRpIgNOQ1qxB_8I2QcgTSdg_1ACu11mqH89iC82oaLs9YUs8v5zkcF_sTQpnuOCCAy2T7gBQL0nPYx5wxA_rBLY3GaFS7-zg1A9WnCbYnGpGo_UK46Rg2PsDiGTYko-XDJgy7buNGc/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRayRpIgNOQ1qxB_8I2QcgTSdg_1ACu11mqH89iC82oaLs9YUs8v5zkcF_sTQpnuOCCAy2T7gBQL0nPYx5wxA_rBLY3GaFS7-zg1A9WnCbYnGpGo_UK46Rg2PsDiGTYko-XDJgy7buNGc/s400/IMG_1878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had got about half way back when we both spun around in opposite directions pointing 'Look, look, look!' We had both spotted a Gray Hawk - two of them, flying in opposite directions! Luckily one perched just long enough in a tree for us to confirm its ID before disappearing. What a finale! We made our way back to the car and had a tea-break in the shade<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx7ZwEvztNI23LeZNKbnKeYjq9iKHRx7GadfVJA_VqBdvkryk3tiCAVodDIzgAE6G9MTyGEz0jAsusT7kJK6Ey3IkpOQt3MsSgqmn2YAdagTnGpS-ymij_f5q_Dm9uxDoE1LLSpCHqWY/s1600/IMG_1882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx7ZwEvztNI23LeZNKbnKeYjq9iKHRx7GadfVJA_VqBdvkryk3tiCAVodDIzgAE6G9MTyGEz0jAsusT7kJK6Ey3IkpOQt3MsSgqmn2YAdagTnGpS-ymij_f5q_Dm9uxDoE1LLSpCHqWY/s400/IMG_1882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
before setting off again to cross the grasslands to the south to another exit, adding a few more species along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpks_jcioEum00JEGp4Ar1wVLDBvbiVBum1my0tOU3uninsFzjaUh0mNVBGnUJOco6QaYyFj0KRSqBOapCxCvwvs6M3lwZ8fp7g5aADgaxR2lBtS3dTnbliUqQEs8oBE_Y8m9NLA5Kw8/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpks_jcioEum00JEGp4Ar1wVLDBvbiVBum1my0tOU3uninsFzjaUh0mNVBGnUJOco6QaYyFj0KRSqBOapCxCvwvs6M3lwZ8fp7g5aADgaxR2lBtS3dTnbliUqQEs8oBE_Y8m9NLA5Kw8/s400/IMG_1884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What a wonderful day we had with so many beautiful species. We arrived home hot, dusty and very happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0V5bbeLdCPGiA2DW2dbLBzCNLQLkW8A35rFhNjTvqXZAiGGwySJ13BJeRrOEg49MCbVrYjlYa3jTkLNC4THKEDrxD2d0C-B0uGmsiFo7fNG7ef4lrUbvFZnNxuWV2GhWBN5eiFFnv1w/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0V5bbeLdCPGiA2DW2dbLBzCNLQLkW8A35rFhNjTvqXZAiGGwySJ13BJeRrOEg49MCbVrYjlYa3jTkLNC4THKEDrxD2d0C-B0uGmsiFo7fNG7ef4lrUbvFZnNxuWV2GhWBN5eiFFnv1w/s400/IMG_1885.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is Kathies beautiful account of our trip - <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/2013/05/tea-for-two-at-las-cienegas.html?showComment=1369009321929#c1045929190263074180">Kathies Birds</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0V5bbeLdCPGiA2DW2dbLBzCNLQLkW8A35rFhNjTvqXZAiGGwySJ13BJeRrOEg49MCbVrYjlYa3jTkLNC4THKEDrxD2d0C-B0uGmsiFo7fNG7ef4lrUbvFZnNxuWV2GhWBN5eiFFnv1w/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-6556072022746185652012-12-24T11:23:00.004-06:002012-12-24T11:23:57.797-06:00If This Is The End Of The World - I'll Take It!As the world was supposed to end on December 21st, Kathie and I decided that we wanted to end it birding! It just seemed fitting somehow. It was also perilously close to Christmas so we were both feeling rather as if we were playing hookie from all the endless array of tasks that awaited us at home. In order to salve our consciences we picked a location close to home that would only take us half a day instead of our usual mega dawn to dusk trips!<br />
We arrived at Lakeside Park at 8.30am which may seem way too late to all you hard core birders but it was a chilly winter morning in the desert and there was also a stiff breeze blowing so we felt that the birds would be hiding out until the sun warmed things up and we weren't wrong. There were numerous dog walkers and some hardy fishermen around the park when we arrived. In the water were masses and masses of coots and a few American Widgeons. As we drove up a mixed flock of blackbirds and grackles took to the air but it really was too chilly for much else to be out and about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMESabpDsWaX42_5rNwtP8ueqE7F3FP4750V3mqmNQcyBEukxCJEdLNcz6ZOrlx6_9QnWJNluQ6tmIqq1XD-o1eCbMfPlwlynAQbXO2OHydPAUQ0vYhHCfzH19DgtbVZuHufoOz6kb3RY/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMESabpDsWaX42_5rNwtP8ueqE7F3FP4750V3mqmNQcyBEukxCJEdLNcz6ZOrlx6_9QnWJNluQ6tmIqq1XD-o1eCbMfPlwlynAQbXO2OHydPAUQ0vYhHCfzH19DgtbVZuHufoOz6kb3RY/s400/IMG_0954.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdbW_BZQ4dHcGxJjSwI20VBSrUujvsX_WdwdrYyRNGcCMvgX7geeHwlC8VIzIa23STlLC6EgDhjPR4L0Ac7OwtvX4eK0YRXl5hfJA0dUpzUgSxQhM9GejgIq4vr5C4RHut6IaAGgDeZc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdbW_BZQ4dHcGxJjSwI20VBSrUujvsX_WdwdrYyRNGcCMvgX7geeHwlC8VIzIa23STlLC6EgDhjPR4L0Ac7OwtvX4eK0YRXl5hfJA0dUpzUgSxQhM9GejgIq4vr5C4RHut6IaAGgDeZc/s400/IMG_0959.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We put on our layers and strolled down to the waters edge. There were a handful of Mallards cruising around with the widgeons and on the far bank a Great Blue Heron was fishing for breakfast. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdbW_BZQ4dHcGxJjSwI20VBSrUujvsX_WdwdrYyRNGcCMvgX7geeHwlC8VIzIa23STlLC6EgDhjPR4L0Ac7OwtvX4eK0YRXl5hfJA0dUpzUgSxQhM9GejgIq4vr5C4RHut6IaAGgDeZc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdbW_BZQ4dHcGxJjSwI20VBSrUujvsX_WdwdrYyRNGcCMvgX7geeHwlC8VIzIa23STlLC6EgDhjPR4L0Ac7OwtvX4eK0YRXl5hfJA0dUpzUgSxQhM9GejgIq4vr5C4RHut6IaAGgDeZc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8Hg9-Up-2olx67Ld_xC4QYy_qH0Pe4FHRc20AOSI0D7Kea-7KTTicZPO4LK7hrDBXY7AAvvfPly9jQ_twTnlxTNmbXOttMfBk1F04BMHpWxMGbyp9Rw_HuKJJAfH79yNxH_MVH7nkCA/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8Hg9-Up-2olx67Ld_xC4QYy_qH0Pe4FHRc20AOSI0D7Kea-7KTTicZPO4LK7hrDBXY7AAvvfPly9jQ_twTnlxTNmbXOttMfBk1F04BMHpWxMGbyp9Rw_HuKJJAfH79yNxH_MVH7nkCA/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Other than that there wasn't a whole lot happening and the wind was not too friendly either. We decided to drive round to the other side of the park where there was a little more shelter from the wind and see what we could find there. It was a good call, our first sighting was a little American Kestrel, all puffed up against the chilly air.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7Q0196KS2aslvdqnLoJSWz7nEtX7qh8jJDnEUQGtkH6E9yKXLXNjFPEsDLYnU-eQhoMIvJyz4l0hGFGLgPD8vUuSnAtovsDn8sg5fqFlagQXNXunbMA1YpspuElzkAG-1RKYSBfZCJ8/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7Q0196KS2aslvdqnLoJSWz7nEtX7qh8jJDnEUQGtkH6E9yKXLXNjFPEsDLYnU-eQhoMIvJyz4l0hGFGLgPD8vUuSnAtovsDn8sg5fqFlagQXNXunbMA1YpspuElzkAG-1RKYSBfZCJ8/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpEgnQCmHn_OKn-XY47xfXddljB4eg-blaupJ1rHzupvjn_QQaTYJpsGNZOLba8zG4AotiSU2jCoTyO6vNl2ifbAsuv_xgaSfyZpD5PtKcU32Y-xNfrfWeyHLwGhqiUj3FP9OpmAg8R4/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpEgnQCmHn_OKn-XY47xfXddljB4eg-blaupJ1rHzupvjn_QQaTYJpsGNZOLba8zG4AotiSU2jCoTyO6vNl2ifbAsuv_xgaSfyZpD5PtKcU32Y-xNfrfWeyHLwGhqiUj3FP9OpmAg8R4/s400/IMG_0966.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As we walked down towards the waters edge a flash of red caught our eye, a Vermillion Flycatcher was on the move. Not as vibrant as some, this looked like a young male who was working up to his full magnificence. We found him delightful none the less.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg225cgTbnIDPzygw5_HvolF4b8xhcab_Lc6hKDWo5CxGT7K-P_fi-VcQWX3CWbDU9I8LnX3adbh7ssISZt2DFZoM95KJnc-pgpiFYB-0dwABk0vH7P-J-66siRl5Y-xyGaxf2eJsWNYH0/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg225cgTbnIDPzygw5_HvolF4b8xhcab_Lc6hKDWo5CxGT7K-P_fi-VcQWX3CWbDU9I8LnX3adbh7ssISZt2DFZoM95KJnc-pgpiFYB-0dwABk0vH7P-J-66siRl5Y-xyGaxf2eJsWNYH0/s400/IMG_0972.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And he seemed to find us quite intriguing too as he flew in closer to where we were sitting to check us out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzDSIV7-GCbZsNS6d673iverdJ2ILHkSLk4uVpYTe6tamf-8JG1NMjXBvNFPg0mRI5oI53LTRSVplLlK42_w71nwOfMvT8DUOcWPYNGleJVoBct3kWhTJAYMYajf2F1eIYfKe1KWJfHo/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzDSIV7-GCbZsNS6d673iverdJ2ILHkSLk4uVpYTe6tamf-8JG1NMjXBvNFPg0mRI5oI53LTRSVplLlK42_w71nwOfMvT8DUOcWPYNGleJVoBct3kWhTJAYMYajf2F1eIYfKe1KWJfHo/s400/IMG_0976.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWm7rzkLbAIkP3-YjVG1Z7zyCh_cIUAqR21Ma_H80ZHz6011CWdHy0jBRVuXTohgKcvtxdihMaHzxwm0BuJVL4YNfpWnWd2vl_-bTT68q91Pw511WkyZ6I_HXJ7cuQa5zVdtRADt2mUo/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWm7rzkLbAIkP3-YjVG1Z7zyCh_cIUAqR21Ma_H80ZHz6011CWdHy0jBRVuXTohgKcvtxdihMaHzxwm0BuJVL4YNfpWnWd2vl_-bTT68q91Pw511WkyZ6I_HXJ7cuQa5zVdtRADt2mUo/s400/IMG_0978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a Western Grebe sleeping peacefully on the water with its head tucked snuggly in its feathers to keep out the morning chill.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg53mcug-ejUFykweyUgDdLXmiuDNqNHLRjMWItuThzm7EtUsMd7HiHovJ7YGC13-uBGHPuY3uKWLYgCI8L9w4whHy5OIozeh43XioDk9wzquBvkMStReY8bwLpqY6VdIujcs0q8T1XMw/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg53mcug-ejUFykweyUgDdLXmiuDNqNHLRjMWItuThzm7EtUsMd7HiHovJ7YGC13-uBGHPuY3uKWLYgCI8L9w4whHy5OIozeh43XioDk9wzquBvkMStReY8bwLpqY6VdIujcs0q8T1XMw/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Slowly the sun was beginning to reach out and warm the earth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDya730-xq4ZrE8cuKF2GdYcSYUzcYrtdUYvnmC7TLCT0WD_j1JbA014XG9ByN2itZ2czxCAULQg-t86t1XXzG6-pMW_0PBf0-mrR1hm8E5Kzb4nKMbHKUPFS2eFy_hQPSZ5tpSy8_-gc/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDya730-xq4ZrE8cuKF2GdYcSYUzcYrtdUYvnmC7TLCT0WD_j1JbA014XG9ByN2itZ2czxCAULQg-t86t1XXzG6-pMW_0PBf0-mrR1hm8E5Kzb4nKMbHKUPFS2eFy_hQPSZ5tpSy8_-gc/s400/IMG_0984.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The coots seemed glad of the warmth and began squabbling and bustling about, calling raucously to each other across the water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PAxt8UFmuFhbFoEkUQo559xQxr5H194hrEGfaYgj-ytzLm24GkQz-_Uz7EC7Lic7yErMHwLiwt6kXSSKlPH2DaeQXdMVaUQIBfgllqWYZpV0AJgCKFeuDI80bZjwXhNK8Jd_do_sFBg/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PAxt8UFmuFhbFoEkUQo559xQxr5H194hrEGfaYgj-ytzLm24GkQz-_Uz7EC7Lic7yErMHwLiwt6kXSSKlPH2DaeQXdMVaUQIBfgllqWYZpV0AJgCKFeuDI80bZjwXhNK8Jd_do_sFBg/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As we walked around the lake to a line of small mesquite trees I spotted someone sleeping in the branches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkxDCl9TdpipN36d2k7in25x9zHkhFdXT7dzIkbbpJfOFkRKdDuL7YdMCTtT_UK456mbsRZKN3O3Uk69hz7NRXIi8A5hIgyJ8wi4Nu4Od2_mYrXqBmTsWmgvbLtpKYzohgPwxPrpE2gA/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkxDCl9TdpipN36d2k7in25x9zHkhFdXT7dzIkbbpJfOFkRKdDuL7YdMCTtT_UK456mbsRZKN3O3Uk69hz7NRXIi8A5hIgyJ8wi4Nu4Od2_mYrXqBmTsWmgvbLtpKYzohgPwxPrpE2gA/s400/IMG_0989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
An immature Black-crowned Night Heron. Our excited chatter soon alerted him to our presence and he kept a very close eye on us from his cosy hide out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPxeqBe7CVw5ZLr6P8JIS-95W0wtrjJGfxmQd-XSp_gYPcadb8i8NgxwLC52fbXRTg56K985mUsDwqGTLNgHoLoLcX-eVNKrN5ly6UwNlq8zmgkG7UaZP3stHLOA455Et7T2SmWoigJo/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPxeqBe7CVw5ZLr6P8JIS-95W0wtrjJGfxmQd-XSp_gYPcadb8i8NgxwLC52fbXRTg56K985mUsDwqGTLNgHoLoLcX-eVNKrN5ly6UwNlq8zmgkG7UaZP3stHLOA455Et7T2SmWoigJo/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLREzwmvIYRpvhlNkmLK0nWpWKA9RMGR7Rs6FYa-XCBYB7NSyaxkZzrU0yKAa-NpRTyZM5z1JTpKRON6J-8Xla8Xa8DfMcyD04CJ35CnJFYdraLUsdCf6vtuYOnCfk9_Mim_gpagu_uvc/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLREzwmvIYRpvhlNkmLK0nWpWKA9RMGR7Rs6FYa-XCBYB7NSyaxkZzrU0yKAa-NpRTyZM5z1JTpKRON6J-8Xla8Xa8DfMcyD04CJ35CnJFYdraLUsdCf6vtuYOnCfk9_Mim_gpagu_uvc/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpi0SC2gAOXgXsTkEKTvyojph6llKjoUAVKlAYsHyqK9Ai03a1ktcC_pEuiYAnT6TED21xRSz75liBzdjzex2Lh7dsZYe2gAxU0JVXBsPFs4ARI4dGyPXV-qQwJNzSj9J0ZeyFhF-rP8/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpi0SC2gAOXgXsTkEKTvyojph6llKjoUAVKlAYsHyqK9Ai03a1ktcC_pEuiYAnT6TED21xRSz75liBzdjzex2Lh7dsZYe2gAxU0JVXBsPFs4ARI4dGyPXV-qQwJNzSj9J0ZeyFhF-rP8/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While we were watching the night heron the Great Blue Heron flew in and tried several times to land in the same mesquite tree. He is such a big guy and the tree was just not substantial enough to support him so after a few ungraceful flaps and some irritated squawks he flew off to a bigger willow across the wash. He tried to land on the tiniest of branches right at the very top of the tree as if he were a Verdin! Needless to say this led to a great deal of flapping<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5Mcv8ZO2TVQBtGnGnwVrlcO5w_AJONq-YkGLM12uZu9wvzUvJqxoBzNCrs1RVUYRDGyFAj9uR83m3X5KXqxFeDR7o1u0ynvArMD9uiKMNTkC9taZz0HRYeth9LjSnLNJZTHTT55LPgE/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5Mcv8ZO2TVQBtGnGnwVrlcO5w_AJONq-YkGLM12uZu9wvzUvJqxoBzNCrs1RVUYRDGyFAj9uR83m3X5KXqxFeDR7o1u0ynvArMD9uiKMNTkC9taZz0HRYeth9LjSnLNJZTHTT55LPgE/s400/IMG_0998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And wobbling<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2V0_lx36eDBH9b44FNveV98BdH8e63a3ptPQHtUdK8xRRQ68FBdTOQxLo5Slu_2ms0lPG-cIxcecXRIAOgD-GLcuccvTzwKIqtQm3el4SLX_4wZvuKpwQ16quBwMz4GehQDHSnJF7jw/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2V0_lx36eDBH9b44FNveV98BdH8e63a3ptPQHtUdK8xRRQ68FBdTOQxLo5Slu_2ms0lPG-cIxcecXRIAOgD-GLcuccvTzwKIqtQm3el4SLX_4wZvuKpwQ16quBwMz4GehQDHSnJF7jw/s400/IMG_0999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And flailing about<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOtwurHl91iSWHorA4Xu39dwnSQ-0mLWDEZOuTVwfiBsiEzrSMaOjgnshYz6XzPw2cKMt5kTdCMaSIhdf7NvaECbibEFsrrl1EqvxztA2bh4smA1tgjm91X5PxtOSMOOeDjVlVjRlOo8/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOtwurHl91iSWHorA4Xu39dwnSQ-0mLWDEZOuTVwfiBsiEzrSMaOjgnshYz6XzPw2cKMt5kTdCMaSIhdf7NvaECbibEFsrrl1EqvxztA2bh4smA1tgjm91X5PxtOSMOOeDjVlVjRlOo8/s400/IMG_1002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Before he finally managed to stick his landing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyzUAQHTisVKQTo_Wa6psmRNcdH4FmRyVAq1zRi_ctsWGamz62k2t8yUrgSYgkHOeFUgHg4GhqUM_7_YvrKakYfy9oRRqss7OdIgcaZAhzWwR_bDemoYspCXEFBQfX7CtrzvrEfw6v0g/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyzUAQHTisVKQTo_Wa6psmRNcdH4FmRyVAq1zRi_ctsWGamz62k2t8yUrgSYgkHOeFUgHg4GhqUM_7_YvrKakYfy9oRRqss7OdIgcaZAhzWwR_bDemoYspCXEFBQfX7CtrzvrEfw6v0g/s400/IMG_1006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I got a very hard stare for having the audacity to photograph such an inelegant moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnFJvfbv-uPe_nmjB9XXCjE298eXm6rvca6dEPzL9oCEiMPKx0oduhyQ7A8mxNoY7pC26rhfGqBKZfsW5Xy-3rawFU-bBAdMuFt4FjcyfuhzH0ZMypvvhBSsfjbDsgJZ-LS1zDWjm0e4/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnFJvfbv-uPe_nmjB9XXCjE298eXm6rvca6dEPzL9oCEiMPKx0oduhyQ7A8mxNoY7pC26rhfGqBKZfsW5Xy-3rawFU-bBAdMuFt4FjcyfuhzH0ZMypvvhBSsfjbDsgJZ-LS1zDWjm0e4/s400/IMG_1008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was time for us to turn back. As we walked back under the row of little mesquite trees we spotted another Black-crowned Night Heron snoozing away above our heads, this time a mature adult in the dramatic black and grey plumage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWPhWC4hyphenhyphenbylmz7_W3IhFPxWrXIXlAty4ZLZB0u9qvu_yUQ-H3Dzoqh-vsTXRo3NSpXw5IaG2bxdVCCWYt2PgJJXVOLN_55LRNfjUKgWFx5poKHsapSIa_LUcQ8cn511hixWD7gOo1hk/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWPhWC4hyphenhyphenbylmz7_W3IhFPxWrXIXlAty4ZLZB0u9qvu_yUQ-H3Dzoqh-vsTXRo3NSpXw5IaG2bxdVCCWYt2PgJJXVOLN_55LRNfjUKgWFx5poKHsapSIa_LUcQ8cn511hixWD7gOo1hk/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now the sun had beaten back the morning chill and the bushes around us were suddenly alive with bird calls and fluttering little bodies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVX-g1YdvLEA-Zi8jWt7alU6SRbV_Yl-Qf_TjxIf3T8hOiqpWfC-noHVguMs7dRef44fADJ7jS92QxZ7lyh3RASrkHpGVndnFY6QWfjz5GRK_5RjnwMjL27uOS0I8cobGLVBFVNULd2w/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVX-g1YdvLEA-Zi8jWt7alU6SRbV_Yl-Qf_TjxIf3T8hOiqpWfC-noHVguMs7dRef44fADJ7jS92QxZ7lyh3RASrkHpGVndnFY6QWfjz5GRK_5RjnwMjL27uOS0I8cobGLVBFVNULd2w/s400/IMG_1011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One strange looking bird had us puzzled for a while but Kathie knows her stuff and she eventually worked out that it was an immature Bronze Cowbird.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q8W20yvOt7dhOadml_DUhIQWxzYny80y_SSbm2YqmZ6vdPNF-lmw6bBJP6blJnFOXUen2x-TL6VlSQbD_Jpd4rnLE-N9qK3EbtL1OZ2VsxQpSGDazCniyLBXKJ_HCq0exUq-aFJrPtw/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q8W20yvOt7dhOadml_DUhIQWxzYny80y_SSbm2YqmZ6vdPNF-lmw6bBJP6blJnFOXUen2x-TL6VlSQbD_Jpd4rnLE-N9qK3EbtL1OZ2VsxQpSGDazCniyLBXKJ_HCq0exUq-aFJrPtw/s400/IMG_1013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One species that Kathie really wanted me to see was a Lark Sparrow. Now I have to confess I am not usually very impressed with sparrows, they tend to fall into the 'LBJ' category with me. That and the fact that many of them are really difficult to distinguish from one another!<br />
Of course I should have trusted Kathie when she told me that these little characters were worth seeing. When several of them flew into a bush in front of us I could see exactly why she found them so appealing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuJ_CegZvwPzkE7Ixp_rUPPc7zzDFYHrP2PXcTJ-Om2Su4OLiwAeu6HZfH2SI6iZGTg9wi35ZQJTv0hKjGJj1rVERtfSSAZ_6uWo4j3MiwssW8Tp0SvTCulpEW_ENDQP9eVwWBGwMoeA/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuJ_CegZvwPzkE7Ixp_rUPPc7zzDFYHrP2PXcTJ-Om2Su4OLiwAeu6HZfH2SI6iZGTg9wi35ZQJTv0hKjGJj1rVERtfSSAZ_6uWo4j3MiwssW8Tp0SvTCulpEW_ENDQP9eVwWBGwMoeA/s400/IMG_1017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What is not to love about that pretty little face. A new bird species for me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXuvWOEB_hLqC2EFeMwyXhnOrwPIME3iYVf6fcIZcWF71oEwzZ_oIwPTwak0WJUyc4ctERKObvnmO9sKWWgXnnPBNZzwx6krDJB2YwpWhE1Mtlqcs2z9Ga-1nDDO28_B9x9uCkc0eZFg/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXuvWOEB_hLqC2EFeMwyXhnOrwPIME3iYVf6fcIZcWF71oEwzZ_oIwPTwak0WJUyc4ctERKObvnmO9sKWWgXnnPBNZzwx6krDJB2YwpWhE1Mtlqcs2z9Ga-1nDDO28_B9x9uCkc0eZFg/s400/IMG_1020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As we strolled back towards the car there were three Killdeer on a nearby playing field. By this time we thought we were done for the morning and were just commenting on what a nice 'End of the World Birding Trip' we'd had. Little did we know that we had one more big surprise in store for us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDj0RNtW7x2LG9vJDv5k6AOTz_21ISUx14TezrWPRnLOlqLpBeMlSEHNb16FVpDbikmA9YxFjViMDm72XLu0xOWYAm54GKfXH6H-L37jXoJJWZIernwTdLOlYoHb5fw5E3IdPdrCjbEo/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDj0RNtW7x2LG9vJDv5k6AOTz_21ISUx14TezrWPRnLOlqLpBeMlSEHNb16FVpDbikmA9YxFjViMDm72XLu0xOWYAm54GKfXH6H-L37jXoJJWZIernwTdLOlYoHb5fw5E3IdPdrCjbEo/s400/IMG_1022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kathie noticed a small raptor perched way up in a eucalyptus tree and initially we thought it was the kestrel that we had seen earlier. I can always tell when Kathie is excited by a bird sighting, her voice goes up an octave! Well sure enough her tone changed and I knew we were onto something special as I raised my binoculars and was a little puzzled not to see the familiar facial markings of the kestrel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF5BWlCryO2ux3uPMzg2WsYUyHBJzZRNU8lu86DMXA0ONbyHwNCph3YVLt9qbSyQmZoEJPLe_J6ub4BqF92IukyodYC2MsIDVcvlTcwY9Ef6UuQzP_YS6om5mxyx2u2tWgs1wnpIvGp4/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF5BWlCryO2ux3uPMzg2WsYUyHBJzZRNU8lu86DMXA0ONbyHwNCph3YVLt9qbSyQmZoEJPLe_J6ub4BqF92IukyodYC2MsIDVcvlTcwY9Ef6UuQzP_YS6om5mxyx2u2tWgs1wnpIvGp4/s400/IMG_1041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a Merlin! She exclaimed with undisguised delight in her voice. This is a very special bird for anyone to see but had an extra relevance to us as it was the very first bird we saw together when we first met back in 2009. What are the chances? A relatively rare bird and here we are being treated to another opportunity to view it together. Needless to say we were both extremely happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiirNe0y9ldizRdAV-nMOLI5L7dGBG9yFk0RBaUMWeg35taRUGALaKDZQ5ZLypG2yKHcp_5n6GEIzk10L-H45fO8HRSgMLD6zUfZi8p53V4sxk5Q_8VQRnDKq68KHdyxblaL3krL3XGI0/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiirNe0y9ldizRdAV-nMOLI5L7dGBG9yFk0RBaUMWeg35taRUGALaKDZQ5ZLypG2yKHcp_5n6GEIzk10L-H45fO8HRSgMLD6zUfZi8p53V4sxk5Q_8VQRnDKq68KHdyxblaL3krL3XGI0/s400/IMG_1042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We watched it for several minutes before it flew off, swooped round and landed in another tree to join its mate. Double delight - not one Merlin but two. It doesn't get much better than this. We decided that this was the best End of the World ever!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0ABfj946WsUl1bGHTAtFWvPl8USVnooBL7-FC__Tl7vHd1Qyi9U0zXdXdEbUFoFdhHIB2fx_-Lgz7iQgSeZgCS13LqgZIURvgXETzRgJIDzdmSM-zKr_SwKNE0uM5Uja6MkB-ZtzuOI/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0ABfj946WsUl1bGHTAtFWvPl8USVnooBL7-FC__Tl7vHd1Qyi9U0zXdXdEbUFoFdhHIB2fx_-Lgz7iQgSeZgCS13LqgZIURvgXETzRgJIDzdmSM-zKr_SwKNE0uM5Uja6MkB-ZtzuOI/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There was nothing we could possibly see that could top that so we made our way back to the car and headed back to catch up on all those pre-Christmas chores we had been avoiding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m_uOEyi0PFOCwWXfDTZ23JFvUNy2SFpDrZd8LnBiPbJZeR7a_hfCmoLMgVyd5VBSMFnnipKkbCpGJ5e_j98Y57Pe6Iur5G8XgqXkA4MBnP_Y35CgwKMVjlh9LiiE5LWCybNaHXPuDH4/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m_uOEyi0PFOCwWXfDTZ23JFvUNy2SFpDrZd8LnBiPbJZeR7a_hfCmoLMgVyd5VBSMFnnipKkbCpGJ5e_j98Y57Pe6Iur5G8XgqXkA4MBnP_Y35CgwKMVjlh9LiiE5LWCybNaHXPuDH4/s400/IMG_1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-58048972664372562372012-12-05T20:02:00.001-06:002012-12-05T20:05:23.937-06:00Another Perfect Birding Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpxPJut1y8ipOXHUdNdD1Z7v7k2SADqZ_XhVvFem7Vt8uZOcJrLQZb-sIkwH1Hy47DxoZz38G41k3Jb8iKNQ2u0BNJC3ioHLsH3KXVaoKk3lDMBEnPG8wPlttjTX3LWLRWcsRYjBPGiM/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>On the west side of Tucson there is a water treatment plant that has created a wonderful wildlife area. The treated water is pumped into drainage ponds where the natural plantings continue to filter and clean the water. I don't know if someone has a slightly sarcastic sense of humour because this place is called Sweetwater Wetlands and yet there are signs everywhere reminding people NOT to drink the water because it is treated sewage water after all! That being said it is a great birding spot with lots of mature trees, wandering pathways and a great mixture of aquatic vegetation and open water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9RhmNgn5h9r9xFKtNRNx0HTGw4-hnf2G5uHoLBbaUhXE1OsU9gH4-7EVXzNNnOfCNWmHZertMUFALQ46raEoWDD1mE7vzftVR-7F6gabDh757GjSHKcXg71LGLtZ84gDkyfiQ2dbknY/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9RhmNgn5h9r9xFKtNRNx0HTGw4-hnf2G5uHoLBbaUhXE1OsU9gH4-7EVXzNNnOfCNWmHZertMUFALQ46raEoWDD1mE7vzftVR-7F6gabDh757GjSHKcXg71LGLtZ84gDkyfiQ2dbknY/s400/IMG_0878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kathie and I decided last week that this would be our latest destination for a birding jaunt, our decision was slightly skewed by the fact that a rare Ani had been located there on a fairly regular basis for the last couple of weeks. But to be honest, neither Kathie or I were too bothered about seeing it, we both just enjoy being outside and all the birds are a treat.<br />
We set out early as this Ani apparently has quite a specific daily routine and is most often seen early on. It was another perfect November morning in the desert, pristine, azure blue skies and a slight chill in the air. We pulled into the little parking lot and it was clear that this was a popular place with people 'in the know!' Lots of serious 'birding' types strolling around festooned with binoculars and cameras, no one talking too loudly, just quietly going about their business. Our first treat was right beside the car park, a very obliging Solitary Sandpiper that can pretty much be relied on to show on this little stretch of water. There were birds calling all around us and I could tell this was going to be a great birding trip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpxPJut1y8ipOXHUdNdD1Z7v7k2SADqZ_XhVvFem7Vt8uZOcJrLQZb-sIkwH1Hy47DxoZz38G41k3Jb8iKNQ2u0BNJC3ioHLsH3KXVaoKk3lDMBEnPG8wPlttjTX3LWLRWcsRYjBPGiM/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpxPJut1y8ipOXHUdNdD1Z7v7k2SADqZ_XhVvFem7Vt8uZOcJrLQZb-sIkwH1Hy47DxoZz38G41k3Jb8iKNQ2u0BNJC3ioHLsH3KXVaoKk3lDMBEnPG8wPlttjTX3LWLRWcsRYjBPGiM/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I shan't try to give you a bird by bird account of the day because it would just take way too long and although you might think that there are a lot of photos in this post, trust me, this is only a tiny fraction of the pictures I took! I couldn't resist this picture of a little Pied-billed Grebe lit from behind to create a magical, fluffy full body halo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwT_z1JRa55HJWEoOvViZZueMhiO05PXG3cspzh4y0wXxNS5eQvTWgo7UA-z2Qg96sUg7NCHwuSpbfJEILLVxP1vp7v3Ejqq6XCEZ0ek2f_GLhuEBjIoUUnX6QxG2KURp2L16K7EJqf4/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwT_z1JRa55HJWEoOvViZZueMhiO05PXG3cspzh4y0wXxNS5eQvTWgo7UA-z2Qg96sUg7NCHwuSpbfJEILLVxP1vp7v3Ejqq6XCEZ0ek2f_GLhuEBjIoUUnX6QxG2KURp2L16K7EJqf4/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were numerous Harris Hawks perched around the area looking so smart in their dark charcoal and chocolate brown plumage, these two were picture perfect even on full zoom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkdCSNZCrZypXeLnZoMNdR6ovecJFmC0Q4eVRfMZ9uduYRl5is7-Wi2HNepETvjsjtxwDuOGbXvWgmpmgjsMC9r3B4wu-QqKOQ1vd9uqqudQzM3eCnzuZLSNwRZtJDvO5-E9_H8A1-b0/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkdCSNZCrZypXeLnZoMNdR6ovecJFmC0Q4eVRfMZ9uduYRl5is7-Wi2HNepETvjsjtxwDuOGbXvWgmpmgjsMC9r3B4wu-QqKOQ1vd9uqqudQzM3eCnzuZLSNwRZtJDvO5-E9_H8A1-b0/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" width="340" /></a></div>
<br />
There were masses of water birds and the lighting and vegetation reflecting on the water just created a magical scene.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxB73IU2jkAdC2S4U5ug99YWd9MMr3Pi51dopRY8rku3HR6ObRKje73iSTwGLHDe3-eNboSMnNWfuR6WwFBuBtfPNMN6ViAiQmMKfBS13xRmav-qhJthPARXOqIpufdC9i6jzx7Nxg4c/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxB73IU2jkAdC2S4U5ug99YWd9MMr3Pi51dopRY8rku3HR6ObRKje73iSTwGLHDe3-eNboSMnNWfuR6WwFBuBtfPNMN6ViAiQmMKfBS13xRmav-qhJthPARXOqIpufdC9i6jzx7Nxg4c/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were lots of Coots swimming, sleeping, preening, bathing and calling back and forth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFfQJvuZUbpiPiYEiZMuhr-MCWNE9WaYbUqcOT1UCijDIJGxs6ryt__4kr3XUjLIw72o-j9bkR1tUX_O_SJ1mu6f-WSyjBa0f8kJOaxsO0aJfwRvaoF1hQek7fdv5x_8joUUotjg-Uks/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFfQJvuZUbpiPiYEiZMuhr-MCWNE9WaYbUqcOT1UCijDIJGxs6ryt__4kr3XUjLIw72o-j9bkR1tUX_O_SJ1mu6f-WSyjBa0f8kJOaxsO0aJfwRvaoF1hQek7fdv5x_8joUUotjg-Uks/s400/IMG_0818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyS07s_taUeMfviZdAGMX_x8zHRbYMazWbc9NvvalIL-B3WUlQzJYPyAH9BlRf35rh6lCAARPjTonyrFcH08CdFBDkq-3U0y9djjS_pAV2QCfjZbK7CO5TaS76hjsa0ZfoZKHmKcOu-o/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyS07s_taUeMfviZdAGMX_x8zHRbYMazWbc9NvvalIL-B3WUlQzJYPyAH9BlRf35rh6lCAARPjTonyrFcH08CdFBDkq-3U0y9djjS_pAV2QCfjZbK7CO5TaS76hjsa0ZfoZKHmKcOu-o/s400/IMG_0827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iE1JuIrG5M3OD2ylw637wFwKxpISszMiFa-VNd0Krp-RLO6cm85N1LQ32rQi9u5fC2-4rDMbQ4ZplWHNCNg3iNT4SooqDcjfjVqZg86LKKR9tCUZw5XSV8RqDn_aPNdzf8eOY5rAcQ8/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iE1JuIrG5M3OD2ylw637wFwKxpISszMiFa-VNd0Krp-RLO6cm85N1LQ32rQi9u5fC2-4rDMbQ4ZplWHNCNg3iNT4SooqDcjfjVqZg86LKKR9tCUZw5XSV8RqDn_aPNdzf8eOY5rAcQ8/s400/IMG_0839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While I was having fun playing with the reflections of this Pied-billed Grebe on the water I began to get the distinct feeling that I wasn't watching the birds but that the birds, or should I say, a bird, was watching me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMuMNLUEfOyHC-nm-qm9GBPjQK5NYdgyDghswtxyh5knxwuIZDpkENQ8UQ9R-YAH1R2tlWKvW9S8Gm6OELu_Xyw_kN4xjZCO-Rs-AqaVovC6RWqBMR7MT8zOxLAGvdgTE5Hv7cdxALss/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMuMNLUEfOyHC-nm-qm9GBPjQK5NYdgyDghswtxyh5knxwuIZDpkENQ8UQ9R-YAH1R2tlWKvW9S8Gm6OELu_Xyw_kN4xjZCO-Rs-AqaVovC6RWqBMR7MT8zOxLAGvdgTE5Hv7cdxALss/s400/IMG_0841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7CvoC9F0nj5I5ZXBXbu5rTDFfcB9V0emQk8GQchPQyqeIolyNSWoBC0lZvbBdK6G3w5K2jg9sXAsEYPXoN-6FyBW1V3M1cnhpXqzpiBEqBnRIIjcJK4R7D-Yuthmg2hjgg8VFg6GCRE/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7CvoC9F0nj5I5ZXBXbu5rTDFfcB9V0emQk8GQchPQyqeIolyNSWoBC0lZvbBdK6G3w5K2jg9sXAsEYPXoN-6FyBW1V3M1cnhpXqzpiBEqBnRIIjcJK4R7D-Yuthmg2hjgg8VFg6GCRE/s400/IMG_0842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I wasn't wrong...........this Harris Hawk was perched in the trees behind us giving us the kind of stare that only a hawk can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV0OxZEjkMBWFqyBhdRCd4y6R6IEWPncMpc-rhsUIXxQcKn30yQPsFZAsYkIP9Z9-y7HIB1RttseoPmDzgcI8WtZTfsd6NaakxZ2GTroyL5-yCg0hLUjEuTiQ8744C6Q9x5-JHNEzRbw/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV0OxZEjkMBWFqyBhdRCd4y6R6IEWPncMpc-rhsUIXxQcKn30yQPsFZAsYkIP9Z9-y7HIB1RttseoPmDzgcI8WtZTfsd6NaakxZ2GTroyL5-yCg0hLUjEuTiQ8744C6Q9x5-JHNEzRbw/s400/IMG_0852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It wasn't until I looked at my photos later that I spotted the evidence of it's last meal attached to its beak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOelMn9nQpAQshrdnbdKw2W-fqpmAWg2A-RaEzMzVIotFmGwx6y8E5nUiqoI60WLI9m4EJgUFIqbMj5fKpU8Xqgl6jIzKtaUCErDHwZti_q4iGs6k5QA-tNTc5pyY3MtuwJYMoW3Uh80/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOelMn9nQpAQshrdnbdKw2W-fqpmAWg2A-RaEzMzVIotFmGwx6y8E5nUiqoI60WLI9m4EJgUFIqbMj5fKpU8Xqgl6jIzKtaUCErDHwZti_q4iGs6k5QA-tNTc5pyY3MtuwJYMoW3Uh80/s400/IMG_0830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyway - back to the water birds. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbScYMMhRAOc1rR_H-LNsMaT5HnmPWDXQhM5lKNskXCqwAo1qp0KCBpUf7fu4sj24e82VmLjgPbtpIXO3-9WK8BzLc6aimiXdc3iaJ_JXqP7IL9OIcp1orVp1kLdIT8YDS57nqvEqiII/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbScYMMhRAOc1rR_H-LNsMaT5HnmPWDXQhM5lKNskXCqwAo1qp0KCBpUf7fu4sj24e82VmLjgPbtpIXO3-9WK8BzLc6aimiXdc3iaJ_JXqP7IL9OIcp1orVp1kLdIT8YDS57nqvEqiII/s400/IMG_0849.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Moorhens cruising back and forth across the water were so hard to get a shot of, I had forgotten how fast they paddle! I think Kathie was quite amused by my constant muttering at them as I missed shot after shot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4SFWYip2CHx9xO3SvZ_CIjatJj6Yg5-0vgBog1tRmnH5D-xvrNjHFjkbDlw4RKjDhSm2aQMgVP9VfEAM1TFHLt-Km9JtQobHEON9U5IY_DP4KMBfUvaczQ1WNsHSWJ9ynktAW4N_Ev4/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4SFWYip2CHx9xO3SvZ_CIjatJj6Yg5-0vgBog1tRmnH5D-xvrNjHFjkbDlw4RKjDhSm2aQMgVP9VfEAM1TFHLt-Km9JtQobHEON9U5IY_DP4KMBfUvaczQ1WNsHSWJ9ynktAW4N_Ev4/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsOevky0x1PRvwPcFBxJZBhPaMnnlLkTMmj5u1HwQdlgxavvW1h5vZkuZQD41JEp84VE8rhul3BPXWoJsiE7CbhzCtCerQ4Fivv6IHcb2_9wsMRT2sfDPnoxbROLSULUSrKPmnSWXHug/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsOevky0x1PRvwPcFBxJZBhPaMnnlLkTMmj5u1HwQdlgxavvW1h5vZkuZQD41JEp84VE8rhul3BPXWoJsiE7CbhzCtCerQ4Fivv6IHcb2_9wsMRT2sfDPnoxbROLSULUSrKPmnSWXHug/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were Shovelers all around<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYLGaTKd1qCV1rw-BLDmAL0poo0RU9AhomWSsrdgXX9kmHWP4ng8phEH2deTnTXuVKo_OLeXzzvQnqhS2NQbh_11BrBb7CSrIli7RIfBqMX2wDwS4Pu_BDynDiEqZlrAd3PsRBpNi0A/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYLGaTKd1qCV1rw-BLDmAL0poo0RU9AhomWSsrdgXX9kmHWP4ng8phEH2deTnTXuVKo_OLeXzzvQnqhS2NQbh_11BrBb7CSrIli7RIfBqMX2wDwS4Pu_BDynDiEqZlrAd3PsRBpNi0A/s400/IMG_0899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
and although we know that their hefty beaks give them there name, its not until you see this impressive tool opened up that you get to realize just how big it really is!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5fACoe17FWyWVULYp_5vSnXlcXE2o3oNKpnzied5GW5FN3vXWV_s4O7kvbTk5Bf4X7zg06lzHugawa8_0z_P2WhO6aksJDR0Ptf9kdrgdyHJlsvdNPs7aH4zT-k51MtBjuBuOh9mVo8/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5fACoe17FWyWVULYp_5vSnXlcXE2o3oNKpnzied5GW5FN3vXWV_s4O7kvbTk5Bf4X7zg06lzHugawa8_0z_P2WhO6aksJDR0Ptf9kdrgdyHJlsvdNPs7aH4zT-k51MtBjuBuOh9mVo8/s400/IMG_0859.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2-ojglsqUVxLueO6ycndDQBMScTbewDLzandmpYMELG_eL78hivrqbPpbeC85_uD1mlaVvKJ0ApvDSkSgJfyECY12265sohqkMgEyjR1X_kJDMN6GovXY9-xp_mf073Tt1OGMffabCQ/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2-ojglsqUVxLueO6ycndDQBMScTbewDLzandmpYMELG_eL78hivrqbPpbeC85_uD1mlaVvKJ0ApvDSkSgJfyECY12265sohqkMgEyjR1X_kJDMN6GovXY9-xp_mf073Tt1OGMffabCQ/s400/IMG_0860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Is there anything more beautiful than a Cinnamon Teal catching the sunlight?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF2rCiLfWYmpCtghDDHezbDiksxON4IKLkdFzU7LdL4ZyqdrX5d6rcc_p7lt9crYKoUWLjnXGCE6Lz8Unr4fEdWn2kQIlR6VL1gN9prGdXx_W-4n_RHuhqGmWJ2jTtj-MvFE5TaX95jk/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF2rCiLfWYmpCtghDDHezbDiksxON4IKLkdFzU7LdL4ZyqdrX5d6rcc_p7lt9crYKoUWLjnXGCE6Lz8Unr4fEdWn2kQIlR6VL1gN9prGdXx_W-4n_RHuhqGmWJ2jTtj-MvFE5TaX95jk/s400/IMG_0882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't think so.........<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf13Zfs6pbOKNNLZwmmIyMe7apPjHnkSoYXLimtgxw4l6SBEB5UnW_p2lG2Ll6wj0VfZhYWqEWp1T8Q2TWkEWvAHxOW2hyM0nQwpiFiW1AMVY7VH9vjRRoUxpnCTHEZV8I_Fw8eIiYUs/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf13Zfs6pbOKNNLZwmmIyMe7apPjHnkSoYXLimtgxw4l6SBEB5UnW_p2lG2Ll6wj0VfZhYWqEWp1T8Q2TWkEWvAHxOW2hyM0nQwpiFiW1AMVY7VH9vjRRoUxpnCTHEZV8I_Fw8eIiYUs/s400/IMG_0883.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were lots of birds flitting in and out of the vegetation, most of which I completely failed to get any decent shots of. I did catch this Yellow-rumped Warbler when it briefly popped out from amongst the reeds<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcC31DqRP2hKQMq3q7LbIubzxe5aqQXQ4i2BykRfOGOdFQURDxHTy4hSFckX22iqQ3WfeBzzs85mNcfhCIZGkN32D9Qf4waegLAwpoqeLLQJLchVfQpWW7MiMjMkP_P-tf_fg3DuPbRA/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcC31DqRP2hKQMq3q7LbIubzxe5aqQXQ4i2BykRfOGOdFQURDxHTy4hSFckX22iqQ3WfeBzzs85mNcfhCIZGkN32D9Qf4waegLAwpoqeLLQJLchVfQpWW7MiMjMkP_P-tf_fg3DuPbRA/s400/IMG_0856.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But lets be honest, it is far easier to photograph birds on open water. How could I resist this sweet little Ruddy Duck busily preening?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGhmsoTShBFu_aFkNWrj-JkCvBNKaAg-1jl7fNjbHgOb-1mZYcO02Bd85gJ7HI0JysHefB38wIAy71lbEUuMxijzmh9M3xmXmaQVg03c37Kib37CrlL28Rm48aSAmR0JvKlR6dgusXBo/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGhmsoTShBFu_aFkNWrj-JkCvBNKaAg-1jl7fNjbHgOb-1mZYcO02Bd85gJ7HI0JysHefB38wIAy71lbEUuMxijzmh9M3xmXmaQVg03c37Kib37CrlL28Rm48aSAmR0JvKlR6dgusXBo/s400/IMG_0864.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NnQTvN-LB5ZmwD0DBdO-IM2_iilKXG9ej14JNrxjmOVyGlQXYrBqZ8ME-sOl0Dlxb3TM-uedYtp-BNjxAz9WG6X_eKneXw8r4-LiQSbls3YxVF6NDd1S48CogfGpkfOZ-Ejz5PFTPIk/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NnQTvN-LB5ZmwD0DBdO-IM2_iilKXG9ej14JNrxjmOVyGlQXYrBqZ8ME-sOl0Dlxb3TM-uedYtp-BNjxAz9WG6X_eKneXw8r4-LiQSbls3YxVF6NDd1S48CogfGpkfOZ-Ejz5PFTPIk/s400/IMG_0866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There we go - all tidy and ready for her close-up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj27rzZQbTSPxyxdZtj0vAIlVySuojnJIB7PW28Kf7Ou78WS0LuQ6LYVuhE3RpFAcItXsKhLtQzjuQKhbaPPi9v7pAQ12iXCXF8xhw4QtfwuQj-_4e8EKjbFUzgsvydcbrDdTYqoPrnbA/s1600/IMG_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj27rzZQbTSPxyxdZtj0vAIlVySuojnJIB7PW28Kf7Ou78WS0LuQ6LYVuhE3RpFAcItXsKhLtQzjuQKhbaPPi9v7pAQ12iXCXF8xhw4QtfwuQj-_4e8EKjbFUzgsvydcbrDdTYqoPrnbA/s400/IMG_0869.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then back to playing with reflections<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPPI-K_O587bYaEievhOiC2S9Rhuzv4sMiIF7am3kYh11hKq3RzWoqmEWHC4JDe9tKJDLSxIHG1veEo36lGn1EMYEK5BBytTzsHNX2iURDI6ndDZva27m3UGX-gLtj_ywGP0_Z6N_hjg/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPPI-K_O587bYaEievhOiC2S9Rhuzv4sMiIF7am3kYh11hKq3RzWoqmEWHC4JDe9tKJDLSxIHG1veEo36lGn1EMYEK5BBytTzsHNX2iURDI6ndDZva27m3UGX-gLtj_ywGP0_Z6N_hjg/s400/IMG_0875.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4a_5gy_3i4PMTxMXJ_rVn5W_6cHrxwt3PAK6uAuK_tOIbtUnzYyqPA3NyY83pCJA92jUVgjREF8ULaznFIwQy-ObImOzK25xSI2hSegpduo0WgxLD2bPVfBhnsPBQr5FJOo_JrUO8jw/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4a_5gy_3i4PMTxMXJ_rVn5W_6cHrxwt3PAK6uAuK_tOIbtUnzYyqPA3NyY83pCJA92jUVgjREF8ULaznFIwQy-ObImOzK25xSI2hSegpduo0WgxLD2bPVfBhnsPBQr5FJOo_JrUO8jw/s400/IMG_0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Which way up?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy_5J6ZfXw9YZ_dTUpUG8Sa59puqDOoEw8uERsfGNDLPIkABWfoswTGCLUQ5ThNYBqQaGLETHe6h3CFYn3gnMritH_OyWOhiQ-EdOH1yldtV2LkmppDPjRfB-HxjgZGAFY15XK3OdNBs/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy_5J6ZfXw9YZ_dTUpUG8Sa59puqDOoEw8uERsfGNDLPIkABWfoswTGCLUQ5ThNYBqQaGLETHe6h3CFYn3gnMritH_OyWOhiQ-EdOH1yldtV2LkmppDPjRfB-HxjgZGAFY15XK3OdNBs/s400/IMG_0893.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiLSAigT_FN7jBX6QDpUv8FqJlsa8cKCvDbZHEJpMyNQ8S3y-ijSFhMJB_YsIrWqsTjBSI-d1oSuF4MRHAASh6t0g-SRO-K3NBwV4tQJrn8hPVTrtzXUl9TuUwpeQvE3XF3IuTzfIbXY/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiLSAigT_FN7jBX6QDpUv8FqJlsa8cKCvDbZHEJpMyNQ8S3y-ijSFhMJB_YsIrWqsTjBSI-d1oSuF4MRHAASh6t0g-SRO-K3NBwV4tQJrn8hPVTrtzXUl9TuUwpeQvE3XF3IuTzfIbXY/s400/IMG_0892.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Did we see the Ani? No. Did it matter? No. We had a wonderful day, saw 45 different species, took a lengthily tea break in the shade of a tree, laughed, walked, enjoyed the weather and each others company. What more could we ask for? Nothing, it was a perfect birding day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8NY3amxZtPrYQVvrV-dzRWwMO4CfNvSwWF2NbOPVMcW8eUUuTZ4tNBighHnxzBUqblq1ci8w0iXPrTnGLlNDMlgF1Hf6OvBGNggA7BVhLL-VgvcgZdw5eMAW0hmXoMTZWm_AipN01mE/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8NY3amxZtPrYQVvrV-dzRWwMO4CfNvSwWF2NbOPVMcW8eUUuTZ4tNBighHnxzBUqblq1ci8w0iXPrTnGLlNDMlgF1Hf6OvBGNggA7BVhLL-VgvcgZdw5eMAW0hmXoMTZWm_AipN01mE/s400/IMG_0900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelllmUyt8-abWaifLretEpnAnnfUQbmOQnfYan-7uUm-vDWMYhBfDwvGNkmXFi6q2IQ_1Gr_Hyi2z8AmZbLu5kCq92MDYPifLIy_bcICz315Yt5wzcQcuEXRAHHTX5jZl2xtU-kzRFZE/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelllmUyt8-abWaifLretEpnAnnfUQbmOQnfYan-7uUm-vDWMYhBfDwvGNkmXFi6q2IQ_1Gr_Hyi2z8AmZbLu5kCq92MDYPifLIy_bcICz315Yt5wzcQcuEXRAHHTX5jZl2xtU-kzRFZE/s400/IMG_0902.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcC31DqRP2hKQMq3q7LbIubzxe5aqQXQ4i2BykRfOGOdFQURDxHTy4hSFckX22iqQ3WfeBzzs85mNcfhCIZGkN32D9Qf4waegLAwpoqeLLQJLchVfQpWW7MiMjMkP_P-tf_fg3DuPbRA/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-17730969389030991062012-10-10T21:54:00.000-05:002012-10-14T11:14:33.716-05:00A Most Excellent AdventureLong before we bought our house in Arizona I would regularly read a blog called Sycamore Canyon written by a lady called Kathie. She lived in Tucson and wrote beautifully of the plethora of flora and fauna she encountered on a daily basis. On a later visit to Tucson I was fortunate enough to spend a lovely morning <a href="http://celestialrambling.blogspot.com/2009/11/birding-birthday.html">birding with Kathie</a> and a wonderful friendship began.<br />
Move the clock forward a couple of years, we bought our house in Tucson but, sadly Kathie no longer lived there. Her husbands work had taken them out to the east coast. We kept in touch and she started a new blog called <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/">Kathie's Birds</a> Imagine my delight when she contacted me this summer to tell me they were moving back to Tucson. My BBFF (Best Birding Friend Forever) was back!<br />
Of course it didn't take us long to arrange our first day out. Unfortunately it was during the weeks when the Lesser Long-nosed Bats were draining all my hummingbird feeders every night so although I was up before sunrise, by the time I had refilled all the feeders and got myself ready I was already running late. Kathie is very patient, thankfully and she was graciously waiting for me with her car all ready packed for our day out. Our first stop was just for fun, at Amato to see this wonderful bar,restaurant - only in America! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgfl7JBEeIYbXR_iT6oXCqBD4F80z4yWM_qvpGD9IA9T00fkMIeUWGsR4uqafoeeT3LKJcR2CrjIx2J1nS0TBSN7j3OahZX11x77u6UjLD6F1yKEPerzvrevwrCptQvUGQxJoV94pLS4/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgfl7JBEeIYbXR_iT6oXCqBD4F80z4yWM_qvpGD9IA9T00fkMIeUWGsR4uqafoeeT3LKJcR2CrjIx2J1nS0TBSN7j3OahZX11x77u6UjLD6F1yKEPerzvrevwrCptQvUGQxJoV94pLS4/s400/IMG_0188.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the opposite side of the road was the Cow Palace, an old hang-out of John Wayne's apparently. Having done our tourist stop we moved on to a water treatment park to check for birds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j2K0UHfMSu8PlCVspaJQjwoKThi-oK3ky8dPKmClm-Np7aYqfTQNCpWOPgYgPWwhbEMhp6DqUESvpj99kUi80Udkkrp0rShMYXt6bph4-XuMgh6e5YjYFuJPtEPd1x7a9FkI4wOpnSY/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j2K0UHfMSu8PlCVspaJQjwoKThi-oK3ky8dPKmClm-Np7aYqfTQNCpWOPgYgPWwhbEMhp6DqUESvpj99kUi80Udkkrp0rShMYXt6bph4-XuMgh6e5YjYFuJPtEPd1x7a9FkI4wOpnSY/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was remarkably quiet with just a few Grackles enjoying the early morning sun. There was a wonderful peacefulness to the morning and we were relaxed as we quietly walked around checking the bushes and grassland around us. We could hear a few birds calling but nothing much was showing itself so we moved on.<br />
We made a quick bathroom break at Tubac and grabbed ourselves a cup of Earl Grey and a slice of apple Strudel. While we were drinking our tea we noticed this tiny little hummingbird nest attached to a string of lights on the terrace we were sitting on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XFhy31t4mAvTthyQCu7va65GLJWdIaSgmh4GhJeGJCN3yo7JcJrAo_dJng7gcIim4_V55SEpCNav04F1ZT2oso35nKidAaM03eam-mvh6J2SowzHgMTo769CKdBKGOGt-Yc2UTGCKLI/s1600/2012-09-20_10-26-41_117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XFhy31t4mAvTthyQCu7va65GLJWdIaSgmh4GhJeGJCN3yo7JcJrAo_dJng7gcIim4_V55SEpCNav04F1ZT2oso35nKidAaM03eam-mvh6J2SowzHgMTo769CKdBKGOGt-Yc2UTGCKLI/s400/2012-09-20_10-26-41_117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We headed towards Rio Rico making another stop at a riverside park where we spotted this beautiful little female Vermilion Flycatcher. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKlT4SdS92aM0ifYkTxG9YuM8B0UWFfM_FwYc9f8p5bWG8JV7d387T6ai-MKtE8TeiPSx01wNaBV_qE5xQD5htNyJdLQSX2iERJG2s9m7yVkYVY5K63-ijW5Pym22w1gjEilpftL_Lcg/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKlT4SdS92aM0ifYkTxG9YuM8B0UWFfM_FwYc9f8p5bWG8JV7d387T6ai-MKtE8TeiPSx01wNaBV_qE5xQD5htNyJdLQSX2iERJG2s9m7yVkYVY5K63-ijW5Pym22w1gjEilpftL_Lcg/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A little further down the road we stopped at a little pond and we were watching various swallows, hawking insects over the water and a Great Blue Heron stalking the shallows. Suddenly Kathie got very excited by a family of ducks that she had caught a glimpse of at the far end of the pond. They disappeared quickly from sight but she was pretty sure that they were Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. We waited quietly in the shade and eventually they reappeared and we were able to get a better look. She was right, the two parents had a large clutch of little striped ducklings safely bunched between them. I tried to get a shot but it was so far away that I didn't really get anything worthwhile. But just to prove their existence we took some photos anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzPXD1MrLbFIvKpzKE4smiUjc8yxAJzGqsVGTF3RUP-Bl9Wa5dRlH1zNlBp1nukVKi8O0Ds_p4cCnzLF9F0kOwRJQaJXOvLMJ-xhXggye0ZbSfC2QckA1APOxuIzph69hF8KZ3tQuT0s/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzPXD1MrLbFIvKpzKE4smiUjc8yxAJzGqsVGTF3RUP-Bl9Wa5dRlH1zNlBp1nukVKi8O0Ds_p4cCnzLF9F0kOwRJQaJXOvLMJ-xhXggye0ZbSfC2QckA1APOxuIzph69hF8KZ3tQuT0s/s400/IMG_0198.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now the day was starting to warm up and that wonderful midday desert stillness was settling around us. We pulled over a little further down the road to look at a Turkey Vulture that was resting, with wings spread, on the top of a telegraph pole. There were also numerous kingbirds on the wires, always on the lookout for any insects. Kathie walked down to get a clearer shot of the vulture<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoHa9TuJ9m38ot05LJpuBzgWSiEbat3RrU9MPlxrPqQpprXTKK4SrmUBPXXzrELtmrYVJOoOP_oZ76V4nApJpaBVJ76sbzkVzggKyDWJGCKTG319stflM_7uNUVvajPOTM1_acyRXUKQ/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoHa9TuJ9m38ot05LJpuBzgWSiEbat3RrU9MPlxrPqQpprXTKK4SrmUBPXXzrELtmrYVJOoOP_oZ76V4nApJpaBVJ76sbzkVzggKyDWJGCKTG319stflM_7uNUVvajPOTM1_acyRXUKQ/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While I tried, and failed to photograph a variety of butterflies that had gathered on a cow pat.<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>UPDATE:</b></span> My friendly, neighbourhood 'Bug man' has ID'd these for me. On the left is a Checkered Skipper and on the right is a Ceraunus Blue. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1ehxD6YraN4mp7SQ7pGwVMqHaFqssMymqWttJAQ3EfU91yRMqSuGZPqMp3HbTCYlTLD5PCVBIMqSR45Vmii10c49gI9X7jrRbuA3sKgP9B0imMBwzUfPREhAMy4Gu8_oVi6Y53csjWo/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1ehxD6YraN4mp7SQ7pGwVMqHaFqssMymqWttJAQ3EfU91yRMqSuGZPqMp3HbTCYlTLD5PCVBIMqSR45Vmii10c49gI9X7jrRbuA3sKgP9B0imMBwzUfPREhAMy4Gu8_oVi6Y53csjWo/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kathie was kind enough to take me up to the piece of land that she and here husband own up in the hills. What a majestic spot with breathtaking views for miles and miles. So peaceful and dramatic, I could totally see why she loved it so much. The area was devoid of bird life in the heat of the day but the wildflowers more than made up for it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZpKf340fUV-Ni9HlVFpq4eK5H0uEvjUmvXG1LGq9E3050RH4Y_g68VCJ7E5xSRLQ_d0xxhKBAEP6OB7x6mHdWhhiSztYIZ65BGKNwLXUOSYXzbXWEeNz9IsJXGRfJxgeBr2vmhzpCtQ/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZpKf340fUV-Ni9HlVFpq4eK5H0uEvjUmvXG1LGq9E3050RH4Y_g68VCJ7E5xSRLQ_d0xxhKBAEP6OB7x6mHdWhhiSztYIZ65BGKNwLXUOSYXzbXWEeNz9IsJXGRfJxgeBr2vmhzpCtQ/s400/IMG_0209.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeuMVZ0wZux9rJs_9xa5YTIU84K0hk6MmAlsCC4Fm4KH3UuJSE24PFSQPf-t5JtanUjIe8Gb6VZ483mRN17-fCU9X_5QJSdlY568CWZHL8qNXoDIt3ftRuiIQPHen4YGeNkDYlSPW-m0/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeuMVZ0wZux9rJs_9xa5YTIU84K0hk6MmAlsCC4Fm4KH3UuJSE24PFSQPf-t5JtanUjIe8Gb6VZ483mRN17-fCU9X_5QJSdlY568CWZHL8qNXoDIt3ftRuiIQPHen4YGeNkDYlSPW-m0/s400/IMG_0211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJCR8DhsPthX-mtNtlfGxpvZsGYgfQygTteKfhQ20vrNNaqZFKhexdKaf1947BPNY2Fln-9DseagnER0PRWcUwEokw7ScugIp-PtLEH_1hinN5_HGpIj8Sl2XbqBNbBKUdmTEezi-Nk4/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJCR8DhsPthX-mtNtlfGxpvZsGYgfQygTteKfhQ20vrNNaqZFKhexdKaf1947BPNY2Fln-9DseagnER0PRWcUwEokw7ScugIp-PtLEH_1hinN5_HGpIj8Sl2XbqBNbBKUdmTEezi-Nk4/s400/IMG_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
By this time we had worked up an appetite so we drove back down into Rio Rico to a little pizza joint that Kathie knew of. It was an ideal spot to cool down, rehydrate and enjoy an excellent Gorgonzola and pear pizza - YUMMY!!! After lunch we got on the road again and headed for Madera Canyon. This is a beautiful area and as we slowly wound our way up through ever change habitats and vegetation we could feel the cooler air moving around us as we gained elevation. We stopped at the top car park where I was distracted by this very dramatic black caterpillar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehGh2p1hTogWiJhZkQWCoNDf61QjCXfwQfC5hcwRhKECaX5FkrTtwSld7hVq8b3q9ACEldHQgma0sUpuCjur_gZDVFMeFF6JoLJTIgu2fzEl2T-sHqOcvYUzQMmEIg93WzLdFelGJJ-w/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehGh2p1hTogWiJhZkQWCoNDf61QjCXfwQfC5hcwRhKECaX5FkrTtwSld7hVq8b3q9ACEldHQgma0sUpuCjur_gZDVFMeFF6JoLJTIgu2fzEl2T-sHqOcvYUzQMmEIg93WzLdFelGJJ-w/s400/IMG_0215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We walked up a trail, listening for birds as we went but it was surprisingly quiet. We caught a glimpse of a couple of Mexican Jays flitting through the trees but other than that we were more captivated by the various butterfly species fluttering around us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhRENJKVu5uZJiuni1FaHR-jxGmcuhM0qzoDMDd7nq5T62yf7o0QdUfzxHrp-ABb6zFuKDowLS7Y2T3-fIwBYmz3p4Sn_Sz7sqD7VFwQb4zYESVmSmnL4328ibBzyr9TtlgVxB4gMfYs/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhRENJKVu5uZJiuni1FaHR-jxGmcuhM0qzoDMDd7nq5T62yf7o0QdUfzxHrp-ABb6zFuKDowLS7Y2T3-fIwBYmz3p4Sn_Sz7sqD7VFwQb4zYESVmSmnL4328ibBzyr9TtlgVxB4gMfYs/s400/IMG_0219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>UPDATE:</b></span> This butterfly is a Bordered Patch - Thanks Doug! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaXDA0b-cxLFLT_qPUFbPXbSUuidIjSlTWXqJRCC1t67Y3-horetat4-t69K7PDMd1ESSzKu5YIlJA0hpka4atIdlKmHzk38EACzjsJrRsHTMhZxfaVzdyHgY5u7ySTGB2X4ZGucnKw4/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaXDA0b-cxLFLT_qPUFbPXbSUuidIjSlTWXqJRCC1t67Y3-horetat4-t69K7PDMd1ESSzKu5YIlJA0hpka4atIdlKmHzk38EACzjsJrRsHTMhZxfaVzdyHgY5u7ySTGB2X4ZGucnKw4/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMcqlTWwCH5-l3loK-Tk3q0QocFc8HWPjASjqEZWQ4hu8AYoUGMF2IXshF1paWXghu5NAaAft4_o723ao4thK-a9ZggB4U7553ZaxnvSxKeSgb_o95qylCpOuizMRTudzuMqoXD_v6PE/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMcqlTWwCH5-l3loK-Tk3q0QocFc8HWPjASjqEZWQ4hu8AYoUGMF2IXshF1paWXghu5NAaAft4_o723ao4thK-a9ZggB4U7553ZaxnvSxKeSgb_o95qylCpOuizMRTudzuMqoXD_v6PE/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>UPDATE:</b></span> The butterfly above is a California Sister - again, thanks Doug :) <br />
As we came back down to the car park there was a Rock Squirrel taking a siesta on the picnic table. Everything was quiet and peaceful around us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7jOLLTyD1RAhCJnWa2EHaUilretYfuca7RbZE6t-RdbFEY0yYL987zZ2iHDtOXf8Ln-6BEQ5JWWm5BRibdy91PN7CxKA-llLKZspGm9vOBFhevwCMzydfFON12p_LnhIsZu0u_o7XJE/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7jOLLTyD1RAhCJnWa2EHaUilretYfuca7RbZE6t-RdbFEY0yYL987zZ2iHDtOXf8Ln-6BEQ5JWWm5BRibdy91PN7CxKA-llLKZspGm9vOBFhevwCMzydfFON12p_LnhIsZu0u_o7XJE/s400/IMG_0227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We started to drive back down the canyon. There were several beautiful little bed and breakfast places nestled in amongst the trees, each one of them had numerous bird feeders strung outside so it was obvious what type of clientele they were catering to. One particular place caught our eye because of the flock of Wild Turkeys strolling around!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTqUsLMVW2k_3CmSS0OrirBacwSjbD0Hvbqi5ngKRy0adJdgdsMTlSBJxKJL7w3uGffYjOUfO_bKqMS0d94vf4eyEO-JytdGphRFUL7fdgceV7qCbv0oMPP48sC9ZzCdb8Dhrzs5qrV4/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTqUsLMVW2k_3CmSS0OrirBacwSjbD0Hvbqi5ngKRy0adJdgdsMTlSBJxKJL7w3uGffYjOUfO_bKqMS0d94vf4eyEO-JytdGphRFUL7fdgceV7qCbv0oMPP48sC9ZzCdb8Dhrzs5qrV4/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This place was extremely organised with rows of feeders filled with a variety of foods guaranteed to appeal to pretty much every avian palette. There were also numerous chairs set up for birders to get comfortable while watching the constant parade of bird life. We chatted with the owners briefly but soon became distracted by the array of species flying around us. We had only planned to stop briefly but we were soon completely hooked. Of course the goofy Acorn Woodpeckers were a constant source of entertainment<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_L8_DKEtlEWZGR3kJmjhB0SWI7MvNfgCRN6sID3PQyV4vH_xKfAydf2wzusrCyBeYWIeysYRdHINI3pKr-4i-w-bgytOzp5nHBEa7BtDAyKEWKk7ppQHOF5YWpwKd_F-6dtAKEX6biU/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_L8_DKEtlEWZGR3kJmjhB0SWI7MvNfgCRN6sID3PQyV4vH_xKfAydf2wzusrCyBeYWIeysYRdHINI3pKr-4i-w-bgytOzp5nHBEa7BtDAyKEWKk7ppQHOF5YWpwKd_F-6dtAKEX6biU/s400/IMG_0230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIJ227eNqPs7svGuSriqJ_ATS_OZR7ZjC2FXuAkcVxlrtGli0J4LSqHAzn1kH2xikByAzlV1fy4EIAnG8FBDhbFNS-GxhP8OfXH1LNbHeho5AHtP_HQH_ZjjDXpShI7Mf5Jo4dy-OaKA/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIJ227eNqPs7svGuSriqJ_ATS_OZR7ZjC2FXuAkcVxlrtGli0J4LSqHAzn1kH2xikByAzlV1fy4EIAnG8FBDhbFNS-GxhP8OfXH1LNbHeho5AHtP_HQH_ZjjDXpShI7Mf5Jo4dy-OaKA/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But it was the mass of hummingbird species that really got our heads spinning. Was it five species or six, it got so confusing with them all buzzing around but we were reasonably sure we saw Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Rufous, Costa's, Anna's, Magnificent and possibly Blue-throated Hummingbirds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBzn4FKYhz4gsYbrwDCVlegiXlKxzHxhSVjJA3XYzPceLpUvw0uarFW9svAI_A2srvECfm430WTmkRrRDmEOmNaab2eDc_LO2LXGCFOUwp8MXfeT1SI98kvxiRHaTFBrJcAiMkcZrMvg/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBzn4FKYhz4gsYbrwDCVlegiXlKxzHxhSVjJA3XYzPceLpUvw0uarFW9svAI_A2srvECfm430WTmkRrRDmEOmNaab2eDc_LO2LXGCFOUwp8MXfeT1SI98kvxiRHaTFBrJcAiMkcZrMvg/s400/IMG_0242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlMnaviUKGYqpfRM_KiKzPSaf1br3J0USLGLyyg_mEMuOysTA8rqPZXU0jo-lSGOXeVI4ODFqZBToCitDm7YoJA_gFxZUkKGBXVmLATa-9KAJZWry62iaixIItugdP-UzxXw9vDVDqU0/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlMnaviUKGYqpfRM_KiKzPSaf1br3J0USLGLyyg_mEMuOysTA8rqPZXU0jo-lSGOXeVI4ODFqZBToCitDm7YoJA_gFxZUkKGBXVmLATa-9KAJZWry62iaixIItugdP-UzxXw9vDVDqU0/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I completely failed to get any decent photos but it was still a magical spot. And then of course there were the Bridled Titmice, The Painted Redstarts, The Hepatic Tanagers talk about sensory overload!! Our heads were spinning as we tried to keep track of everything. The only one that stayed still long enough for me to get a photo was this obliging Mexican Jay. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeU8PyP_WXN_bum7GI_kwUb99qNJPmdUN_M9UKXJiIvp6nSGn6YpZ_z75SxBmTpC4oRe3j0I5fDAH0_P36hYeBEr24SEyCX9EzwOUlrYc3rfVDyNsjv_A5kGDo03dCN0v0W_y_SnK5Rg/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeU8PyP_WXN_bum7GI_kwUb99qNJPmdUN_M9UKXJiIvp6nSGn6YpZ_z75SxBmTpC4oRe3j0I5fDAH0_P36hYeBEr24SEyCX9EzwOUlrYc3rfVDyNsjv_A5kGDo03dCN0v0W_y_SnK5Rg/s400/IMG_0234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In amongst all the birds I also managed to get totally distracted by this stunning Apache Click Beetle that was scuttling around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsRvDlvNubTiKwCgC7lu2jj8CyCVksoKiKsXWeEjTu6S6ZertmcyJ32_HBqHMMx3Sa1X2_uyiE3VuCwcszo0UeBtjz-NpkrSTtfRsfqbQ1VoGgvfnZGBWvnS7GGMhQCU6Ob7xWklDWg4/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsRvDlvNubTiKwCgC7lu2jj8CyCVksoKiKsXWeEjTu6S6ZertmcyJ32_HBqHMMx3Sa1X2_uyiE3VuCwcszo0UeBtjz-NpkrSTtfRsfqbQ1VoGgvfnZGBWvnS7GGMhQCU6Ob7xWklDWg4/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After over an hour and a half we finally managed to drag ourselves away
and continue on down the canyon.The sun was getting low as we made our
last stop at the Proctor Trailhead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-JPJkRBhRFLno0osDKvX2abO53LvgrAlof76mReJD_HzJXRrv5jqhw5kvmcDXkSokkAojmo1jCic3a9NYj5hJJqQol1qptIdZb4VyDowCJLPeW37NAicBKZEV1rphDjoMjOn1Zgtyc/s1600/2012-09-20_17-37-43_713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-JPJkRBhRFLno0osDKvX2abO53LvgrAlof76mReJD_HzJXRrv5jqhw5kvmcDXkSokkAojmo1jCic3a9NYj5hJJqQol1qptIdZb4VyDowCJLPeW37NAicBKZEV1rphDjoMjOn1Zgtyc/s400/2012-09-20_17-37-43_713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We decided to walk down towards the
creek so we were walking quietly down the trail keeping our eyes and
ears open for birds. Kathie was a little way ahead of me when my eye
caught a dark shape moving in the vegetation. I stopped and looked
carefully. That shape could only be one thing. I caught Kathie's
attention with the loudest whisper I could manage! I gesticulated wildly
to her to come and stand near me and as she drew next to me a black bear stepped onto the trail no more than ten feet in front of us!!! When I posted this on Facebook everyone was asking where the photos were. I have to be honest I was far more busy thinking about how I might have to react than I was thinking about taking photos. Luckily the bear could see we had not blocked its way and it loped off up the trail leaving Kathie and I standing, rooted to the spot with our mouths agape and our eyes wide! When we had recovered our composure we decided as the light was fading we should probably head back towards the car and not push our luck.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsRvDlvNubTiKwCgC7lu2jj8CyCVksoKiKsXWeEjTu6S6ZertmcyJ32_HBqHMMx3Sa1X2_uyiE3VuCwcszo0UeBtjz-NpkrSTtfRsfqbQ1VoGgvfnZGBWvnS7GGMhQCU6Ob7xWklDWg4/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ah7UMOUco-iyC2Zgc7ssK3AYKNpWb0b-Y2GB8i18-Kdf3xkQkjXdLezxBQNCvhkYp_ZVncYjmq3DbR7H7nmQH4Su62aIVejVBP2EkFY3xJ-cbtc0VhVO_Ywe4dVDpNb8QDkk77T-IL8/s1600/2012-09-20_18-04-29_317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ah7UMOUco-iyC2Zgc7ssK3AYKNpWb0b-Y2GB8i18-Kdf3xkQkjXdLezxBQNCvhkYp_ZVncYjmq3DbR7H7nmQH4Su62aIVejVBP2EkFY3xJ-cbtc0VhVO_Ywe4dVDpNb8QDkk77T-IL8/s400/2012-09-20_18-04-29_317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlMnaviUKGYqpfRM_KiKzPSaf1br3J0USLGLyyg_mEMuOysTA8rqPZXU0jo-lSGOXeVI4ODFqZBToCitDm7YoJA_gFxZUkKGBXVmLATa-9KAJZWry62iaixIItugdP-UzxXw9vDVDqU0/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
We sat and watched as the sun settled beyond the horizon and the sky lit up with a beautiful kaleidoscope of colours and recounted our amazing day. We then made our way home stopping numerous times to check out several hawks on telegraph poles until it became completely dark and we had to admit that our wonderful day was over. Birds, beetles and bears - it doesn't get any better!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>UPDATE</b></span> - Kathie has now written her accounts of our great day out. Please read her wonderful versions <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/2012/10/birding-rio-rico.html">here</a>, <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/2012/10/madera-canyon-birds-and-beasts.html">here</a> and <a href="http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/2012/10/proctor-trailhead-and-what-we-found.html">here</a>. Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-13944249046863265082012-03-06T17:25:00.017-06:002012-03-07T08:31:04.505-06:00It Hardly Seems PossibleYesterday we woke up to frigid temperatures, snow covered ground and thick layers of ice on pond and puddles. Exactly what you would expect in the first week of March in Chicago. But today is an entirely different story.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKBH4zosUdOQ8b7VtkuDniy59KTFuKf90gdwA8DNoBa92FRyURN3MvCQZDwdxh6gz8LTDa_X_a9T9dMprXV_EONSrJ4OVa-tT3rpn-fnKlVppTrvOP9FH91lN92coZgqKTGRrhWB21Ug/s1600/IMG_4905.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKBH4zosUdOQ8b7VtkuDniy59KTFuKf90gdwA8DNoBa92FRyURN3MvCQZDwdxh6gz8LTDa_X_a9T9dMprXV_EONSrJ4OVa-tT3rpn-fnKlVppTrvOP9FH91lN92coZgqKTGRrhWB21Ug/s400/IMG_4905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716931432206741346" border="0" /></a><br />With a high of 67 degrees it seems like a whole other world. The turtles are basking in the sun, clearly enjoying the warmth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A8e14pOEA8pNM6MPsDR49IMBxKmHyC4ku8CEOH4mZmeDX-p7812hcXa5erOy80rnies_72hC7-FS2Wt_tIO2hvdzdLYvKs7fAcosahYjbLykx1goghBRNKJgv_UTEmLKkYX7gy1OanQ/s1600/IMG_4906.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A8e14pOEA8pNM6MPsDR49IMBxKmHyC4ku8CEOH4mZmeDX-p7812hcXa5erOy80rnies_72hC7-FS2Wt_tIO2hvdzdLYvKs7fAcosahYjbLykx1goghBRNKJgv_UTEmLKkYX7gy1OanQ/s400/IMG_4906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716931262632012770" border="0" /></a><br />There quite literally is not a cloud in the sky and what a stunningly blue sky it is too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6PQbqpkYJK161kysJvOPftZ5X7RiOdm6luzmSJCDG0GB2ESAmULDq5XEmOMEKqdVhSMinQBvzWIGqgr5KEal3-DSp2_R9IbsBq5cvVtpxTpuo71rYVOo_Mkq88qmr3arUhXdbIi5f-Q/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6PQbqpkYJK161kysJvOPftZ5X7RiOdm6luzmSJCDG0GB2ESAmULDq5XEmOMEKqdVhSMinQBvzWIGqgr5KEal3-DSp2_R9IbsBq5cvVtpxTpuo71rYVOo_Mkq88qmr3arUhXdbIi5f-Q/s400/IMG_4911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930960474815890" border="0" /></a><br />The Canada Geese are clearly feeling spring in the air as many of them are already paired off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoobx_ZFgb9rrvrXJXNJn71EMxPAYG2YL0T6_2NTxWZhVGgnJHK_UmS7Kd1QXqIJHhyphenhyphen228DqAj0sW_DyFUXkO9aVM7SS4oARRHldewEH073RWsQ9tZpnKo-knjhfeHsa1BeNofom6YzI/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoobx_ZFgb9rrvrXJXNJn71EMxPAYG2YL0T6_2NTxWZhVGgnJHK_UmS7Kd1QXqIJHhyphenhyphen228DqAj0sW_DyFUXkO9aVM7SS4oARRHldewEH073RWsQ9tZpnKo-knjhfeHsa1BeNofom6YzI/s400/IMG_4910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930806867820338" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7D7723MK8bP889FXfBjJFSBulI-4DTg5vlmHMw4gd_GSADyBwj98q3_Wpp1OMeIuGFz8LGF91C1EubYtjy8ySZWyPWsC0cpLbMFg9wRlIDWoVrXCKzsP_J6XzzFGE-o5wMml2mrPCL4/s1600/IMG_4913.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7D7723MK8bP889FXfBjJFSBulI-4DTg5vlmHMw4gd_GSADyBwj98q3_Wpp1OMeIuGFz8LGF91C1EubYtjy8ySZWyPWsC0cpLbMFg9wRlIDWoVrXCKzsP_J6XzzFGE-o5wMml2mrPCL4/s400/IMG_4913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930643438735634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xTNkG0DhEps7-ehrQEA_sAR5k_U_aTd_yDANzJ0-rFqiC4o4E-vA0kzZd0Y4UnH9Gxs3DrwSzzqTlvNxhvJPj9cjxisfT4k0Af6AjtTgqXW1JTr710YD5R6dgmED5VASe9i73ldmDCw/s1600/IMG_4918.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xTNkG0DhEps7-ehrQEA_sAR5k_U_aTd_yDANzJ0-rFqiC4o4E-vA0kzZd0Y4UnH9Gxs3DrwSzzqTlvNxhvJPj9cjxisfT4k0Af6AjtTgqXW1JTr710YD5R6dgmED5VASe9i73ldmDCw/s400/IMG_4918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930505617575586" border="0" /></a><br />There are tiny shoots of green appearing amongst the leaves and mud.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi5Y36ykmt7u8Q7sMCs6oHUgVrjGzYi-rqoWiWqF9LJiMZn4ouYYPUDIg1WNjds4Gui_NehaIc0_-1Yb0_yLp7lb5n-0nUxQy_Zl64Nt5FsdQLquiAMGRtIIO0sEQu2Ulze1hy5eiP-w/s1600/IMG_4907.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi5Y36ykmt7u8Q7sMCs6oHUgVrjGzYi-rqoWiWqF9LJiMZn4ouYYPUDIg1WNjds4Gui_NehaIc0_-1Yb0_yLp7lb5n-0nUxQy_Zl64Nt5FsdQLquiAMGRtIIO0sEQu2Ulze1hy5eiP-w/s400/IMG_4907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930268620771506" border="0" /></a><br />The trees are putting huge energy into some fat, round, sticky buds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbIPmIb99lCRblHMD8Av8gRncXQ-BejmJx2x7OnjqlJieGrb8zzd3SW2jOXmQLN1F598aM8TLBqZDUYthbNtcneB5EB88gHwCCnuWg_fw_iLail9doQQJ88GdE-CC4rGx4mqQ88R-wng/s1600/IMG_4914.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbIPmIb99lCRblHMD8Av8gRncXQ-BejmJx2x7OnjqlJieGrb8zzd3SW2jOXmQLN1F598aM8TLBqZDUYthbNtcneB5EB88gHwCCnuWg_fw_iLail9doQQJ88GdE-CC4rGx4mqQ88R-wng/s400/IMG_4914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716930098564884706" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrCv279iVpCFYHhoRpLH518-Q05LK7VjV0iP42wzz8h0O6y60A33t7KCEz_Li6EsGTF09wXSiuyAR3rxLh4ApJ5n88k8kXwBpDsdubV1wL89EtC7naxh1xSwQHm9bYEL6a1BrPZ0eJSc/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrCv279iVpCFYHhoRpLH518-Q05LK7VjV0iP42wzz8h0O6y60A33t7KCEz_Li6EsGTF09wXSiuyAR3rxLh4ApJ5n88k8kXwBpDsdubV1wL89EtC7naxh1xSwQHm9bYEL6a1BrPZ0eJSc/s400/IMG_4916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716929970504252018" border="0" /></a><br />The conifers are producing clusters of tiny new pine cones.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb0k6gBJqzbtJX8-61mOE6GpRk9J_YYF9ArdfV8ySleGD3JQPKMkvDuVctawrK-VbFqOZHf2CSUBxY8h1HhG3gjS-lzTKW2_U-CDFWUHRYtF5DhghTP6m32D3G9J8jcyP8lNWpCgdka4/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb0k6gBJqzbtJX8-61mOE6GpRk9J_YYF9ArdfV8ySleGD3JQPKMkvDuVctawrK-VbFqOZHf2CSUBxY8h1HhG3gjS-lzTKW2_U-CDFWUHRYtF5DhghTP6m32D3G9J8jcyP8lNWpCgdka4/s400/IMG_4923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716929824212653714" border="0" /></a><br />And the poor daffodils are very confused and pushing out very early buds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2x069v51vQCx3YaLY2GJ-BLA_Sfb4NUDhctM_VdFQ3bH6Jw_CUnAumybu5X6FRhg6UzszrhtFX__T_WRq1513_YfJ-euaycD-gD0Kkpi9cCrOuHZ4HMRqpyMg2F_TFPBTpSP8oIw9zM/s1600/IMG_4925.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2x069v51vQCx3YaLY2GJ-BLA_Sfb4NUDhctM_VdFQ3bH6Jw_CUnAumybu5X6FRhg6UzszrhtFX__T_WRq1513_YfJ-euaycD-gD0Kkpi9cCrOuHZ4HMRqpyMg2F_TFPBTpSP8oIw9zM/s400/IMG_4925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716929640906938962" border="0" /></a><br />Even the seagulls are full of the joys of spring, squealing and wheeling effortlessly in the warm winds blowing over the lake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcquJ_OgevQNad-dEp0R7UiOPQW8lnplwjQOy0hW9Al_Wi8PyyKdzxttFtpsKSfVqy1uex7L4ED8le5fbz1vIAwrFyEPeRFgNsLfgh5azhfmJPiaRiDyf8DLdxp93SvylXO8-OJKMc4s/s1600/IMG_4930.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcquJ_OgevQNad-dEp0R7UiOPQW8lnplwjQOy0hW9Al_Wi8PyyKdzxttFtpsKSfVqy1uex7L4ED8le5fbz1vIAwrFyEPeRFgNsLfgh5azhfmJPiaRiDyf8DLdxp93SvylXO8-OJKMc4s/s400/IMG_4930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716929491762031074" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPuTS_NpXR1wBqvRUZPU9ypMCpmt7j9vvXzXOE_g-En-XdnFbynrz8ork5_bsNxJdNY8GkynbmxoNb5RJQi29yoVdpvFJyV7I4oelu7k5ZEfIpyINaBMZdRhIehC2UGSJK2wVlnDid44/s1600/IMG_4935.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPuTS_NpXR1wBqvRUZPU9ypMCpmt7j9vvXzXOE_g-En-XdnFbynrz8ork5_bsNxJdNY8GkynbmxoNb5RJQi29yoVdpvFJyV7I4oelu7k5ZEfIpyINaBMZdRhIehC2UGSJK2wVlnDid44/s400/IMG_4935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716929364734909570" border="0" /></a><br />This certainly isn't a normal spring day in Chicago but you most definitely will not hear me complaining.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Nature Notes</span> hosted by Michelle at <a href="http://ramblingwoods.com/">Rambling Woods</a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-39502124896753027202012-02-21T17:23:00.019-06:002012-02-22T08:52:36.773-06:00Masses of Mergansers'When you are done at work you need to go out to the mouth of the harbour, there are hundreds of ducks out there.' That was the email that my husband sent me this afternoon. So when I finished work I went home, grabbed my camera and binoculars and set out to the harbour entrance. Sure enough there were little black dots scattered all across the water.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8caZvu_nBk3JZwj0rnDcYAyGsNfcpmS_vmHDlBsZGiQeJ-XC8JOXDYKweB-vjWpIofOPYQt-cDb7vkf3igfoV4y1zzKepXYoDs-IUqkCIyVuKjseSOlblk-At47Lb0cyRcgUwvcGtafE/s1600/IMG_4716.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8caZvu_nBk3JZwj0rnDcYAyGsNfcpmS_vmHDlBsZGiQeJ-XC8JOXDYKweB-vjWpIofOPYQt-cDb7vkf3igfoV4y1zzKepXYoDs-IUqkCIyVuKjseSOlblk-At47Lb0cyRcgUwvcGtafE/s400/IMG_4716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734812697664674" border="0" /></a><br />Upon closer inspection they turned out to be Red-breasted Mergansers. They were very shy and as I approached they scuttled across the surface of the water to get away from me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiflXEEnTdTtYCYyxxKvd2ifQ3NtBxJkTgwYZFmpkmT8y6cYBGKYBesfBHL9VE3SIJbwt3TyT8ZhsaywmapnYuBWSvk9x2j8lT4SdOuxggNnMfRRM3TFsu1D9zC2pSUzRZANLOsTrBQzs/s1600/IMG_4709.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiflXEEnTdTtYCYyxxKvd2ifQ3NtBxJkTgwYZFmpkmT8y6cYBGKYBesfBHL9VE3SIJbwt3TyT8ZhsaywmapnYuBWSvk9x2j8lT4SdOuxggNnMfRRM3TFsu1D9zC2pSUzRZANLOsTrBQzs/s400/IMG_4709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711735264532947714" border="0" /></a><br />I sat quietly and eventually they started to move closer. Of course every time a jogger or a cyclist went past they moved away again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WAxsB_C0ZMR2sU5JWmFZbjgZPkBiTB7L7nthgxMuR0lbEXzi-exLXu_FvNJtE0_ZzpMi_sMtd5Duk0kSoFNSXlEloiij5s5Got0LM6o0-R-3J5wfqGYXXvek7FyBKd8-r_64e5O_xa8/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WAxsB_C0ZMR2sU5JWmFZbjgZPkBiTB7L7nthgxMuR0lbEXzi-exLXu_FvNJtE0_ZzpMi_sMtd5Duk0kSoFNSXlEloiij5s5Got0LM6o0-R-3J5wfqGYXXvek7FyBKd8-r_64e5O_xa8/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734956962390306" border="0" /></a><br />It was pretty chilly and over time my fingers were gradually going numb.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlQm8GxcjJzAA26eXIb29CmeDDwnd7xtW8TOAAfrfshZoWpS3ejVvjHKp-HQfsMhXWx2_I1Y1R6wxJQICCEBtl04oPSRWgcEU4X3JLqt5Io1WzmdJDJvFTkxlytyTLo9ZNRBip_0eCOg/s1600/IMG_4706.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlQm8GxcjJzAA26eXIb29CmeDDwnd7xtW8TOAAfrfshZoWpS3ejVvjHKp-HQfsMhXWx2_I1Y1R6wxJQICCEBtl04oPSRWgcEU4X3JLqt5Io1WzmdJDJvFTkxlytyTLo9ZNRBip_0eCOg/s400/IMG_4706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711735567618425074" border="0" /></a><br />The pretty red headed females had a little more courage and led the way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d7di7_AOtlN2hOBrGm-yE8jcaA9nn4JRutESVIze7AyCl9HwUfxwJ0HueHqNqZ0amFbWn7D1PXkEGg9n5myllM-bBu6eGaSAgI8iD9tCVG9NSZraY6V8N6IdqStkyeLmmwefFtz8yO8/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d7di7_AOtlN2hOBrGm-yE8jcaA9nn4JRutESVIze7AyCl9HwUfxwJ0HueHqNqZ0amFbWn7D1PXkEGg9n5myllM-bBu6eGaSAgI8iD9tCVG9NSZraY6V8N6IdqStkyeLmmwefFtz8yO8/s400/IMG_4707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711735400130679538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12ysaAZC2WTxbT2-vx-IbLlu6nHq8TFA1dL6CbNF41NE2PCJW_ze6Xqp960aPhaY2boeXENFikwslQ7-naRX0s9NJWDGqU4O7VR2B5mOzPZNHaA1C65IPeTqUtcIgIdKd7ZBrUYfm8o0/s1600/IMG_4724.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12ysaAZC2WTxbT2-vx-IbLlu6nHq8TFA1dL6CbNF41NE2PCJW_ze6Xqp960aPhaY2boeXENFikwslQ7-naRX0s9NJWDGqU4O7VR2B5mOzPZNHaA1C65IPeTqUtcIgIdKd7ZBrUYfm8o0/s400/IMG_4724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734599793152466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq0Ry4SFgiEqxRNCOjEopyHZz0yu1eVP9FbV7nu-2YagEzygKrjjDYfPio9ZXN0acFZvOn5FNm9ZZE6ADK5SGasoZ_9IwC4K4UhEqM9KA72uHVMSXSufc3xPe3g-SgV4GVAFbwX35nUw/s1600/IMG_4726.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq0Ry4SFgiEqxRNCOjEopyHZz0yu1eVP9FbV7nu-2YagEzygKrjjDYfPio9ZXN0acFZvOn5FNm9ZZE6ADK5SGasoZ_9IwC4K4UhEqM9KA72uHVMSXSufc3xPe3g-SgV4GVAFbwX35nUw/s400/IMG_4726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734479821524210" border="0" /></a><br />Not to be outdone the striking males with their bright white collar soon followed along.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_EqAZ3HtryO2GKNUNybcoh51rSZwQGgEUlJzeHuNcQJFGXXT5WA97H_hIqxzR0FQEU0beKlSX19kBB2bUCYlVbaX58yMOIWwSEV_MVtrIK4Gk99rFJBQDOEqOW_tfFYIuP9AL58sF3o/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_EqAZ3HtryO2GKNUNybcoh51rSZwQGgEUlJzeHuNcQJFGXXT5WA97H_hIqxzR0FQEU0beKlSX19kBB2bUCYlVbaX58yMOIWwSEV_MVtrIK4Gk99rFJBQDOEqOW_tfFYIuP9AL58sF3o/s400/IMG_4731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734327501883794" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJajwbad56rZoX1GismlDq7d2m34cZlVqP7j9ijiAIJfKY_my9SAU_7zwUNV4GPt8f_qKNQTXC5H3GJo-uFioeAY-X7zkcql0Y0Qeig8lijTfsj5ZV1WQPxkKu-TR7UxbxyatPSsUHNis/s1600/IMG_4710.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJajwbad56rZoX1GismlDq7d2m34cZlVqP7j9ijiAIJfKY_my9SAU_7zwUNV4GPt8f_qKNQTXC5H3GJo-uFioeAY-X7zkcql0Y0Qeig8lijTfsj5ZV1WQPxkKu-TR7UxbxyatPSsUHNis/s400/IMG_4710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711735086341530114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRfD3WLqCtFimgJzLwS81guw7hXQ0l730F9HHi5x7gtNewIi8wouboId7StWTompOPCiXDrd7svmGVV9UDuDZjs7l2D8MLOz4cqgsA5bT8u_lXgx8slu65w_KqD0TStBFmmiFQnDdw4A/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRfD3WLqCtFimgJzLwS81guw7hXQ0l730F9HHi5x7gtNewIi8wouboId7StWTompOPCiXDrd7svmGVV9UDuDZjs7l2D8MLOz4cqgsA5bT8u_lXgx8slu65w_KqD0TStBFmmiFQnDdw4A/s400/IMG_4734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734195874882690" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK54cWwtZcoPclr1ETRCVjwPSGBlED3W4h6AnuHlGtlVCqFvfr3DJvcddv0Qdc_ZhDRLt3rRogzeGSIdo0D4JeHk5BfI2VDVoIL-5O_lmrvE00Y_YRveK6HwBW6rguqIan19XxppCJeRg/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK54cWwtZcoPclr1ETRCVjwPSGBlED3W4h6AnuHlGtlVCqFvfr3DJvcddv0Qdc_ZhDRLt3rRogzeGSIdo0D4JeHk5BfI2VDVoIL-5O_lmrvE00Y_YRveK6HwBW6rguqIan19XxppCJeRg/s400/IMG_4737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711734065397349506" border="0" /></a><br />Just love that crazy head crest!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jL2fJuoNwLnkryz-EMYwfjv_1LrlsRa1zwWSr3fCGECFoaizaKD8MiY2XReX9UrwncG9DwmZ1_kUJLzcGY4NfFYjXc97WG0a7ZMSVvqfBtWuAcRSD8nnwFUnsU_Dd_DF6iul45Oqt2M/s1600/IMG_4758.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jL2fJuoNwLnkryz-EMYwfjv_1LrlsRa1zwWSr3fCGECFoaizaKD8MiY2XReX9UrwncG9DwmZ1_kUJLzcGY4NfFYjXc97WG0a7ZMSVvqfBtWuAcRSD8nnwFUnsU_Dd_DF6iul45Oqt2M/s400/IMG_4758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711733696477707570" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWgd3DCKGmZ702NnoAFrBmcukBhiexuEgEBPEBEFUpTEoDUJGHuLRlDPX6HgNhpcKl5irDrDR8zN__Hms01am5Jp6ZvJtc9lg9RpawqF3hN0K-oJNK9-6hQIfnGutegH5u5mI8UZtDWs/s1600/IMG_4740.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWgd3DCKGmZ702NnoAFrBmcukBhiexuEgEBPEBEFUpTEoDUJGHuLRlDPX6HgNhpcKl5irDrDR8zN__Hms01am5Jp6ZvJtc9lg9RpawqF3hN0K-oJNK9-6hQIfnGutegH5u5mI8UZtDWs/s400/IMG_4740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711733938027774818" border="0" /></a><br />If you think this is a lot of photos - you have no idea!! This is a very small fraction. I wonder what this female is saying to her mate?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lMbCOY2ma6BBupGLcS6W99qjefw0MAqVe1Y5y1A8Hx_6B6ihYz12hhcu3HBpVOkQWIVMr6qq-vz8JMp78kUnq8Dy-Z1DWduiV4u3cQDgBP5wUlHByKUZEwGtS-NYwzRpwk2EY2Gzq44/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lMbCOY2ma6BBupGLcS6W99qjefw0MAqVe1Y5y1A8Hx_6B6ihYz12hhcu3HBpVOkQWIVMr6qq-vz8JMp78kUnq8Dy-Z1DWduiV4u3cQDgBP5wUlHByKUZEwGtS-NYwzRpwk2EY2Gzq44/s400/IMG_4752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711733821300200274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Nature Notes</span> hosted by Michelle at <a href="http://ramblingwoods.com/">Rambling Woods.</a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-89479816401814437022012-01-15T19:58:00.014-06:002012-01-15T20:20:44.883-06:00Snow at Last!We have been dodging the inevitable bullet for two months now - where was winter? The sky was clear and blue, the sun was shining and we hadn't frozen. The jet stream that usually dips straight down from northern Canada to us and delivers a hefty whack of snow, ice and frigid temperatures has been staying far to our north but we knew that couldn't last.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH8I_v4KNJMunnch1GCTqCqgtLATAiAwzrahLXTlahCR5RVmVJg_XY_avdifQlOze1qK-MWVWVxd-LQfYlZXTlYruUZIF17Kgo_XD6si55av2JgML4mznFaTcTt8_ndUzbLEam3o3qhc/s1600/2012-01-12_16-22-46_591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH8I_v4KNJMunnch1GCTqCqgtLATAiAwzrahLXTlahCR5RVmVJg_XY_avdifQlOze1qK-MWVWVxd-LQfYlZXTlYruUZIF17Kgo_XD6si55av2JgML4mznFaTcTt8_ndUzbLEam3o3qhc/s400/2012-01-12_16-22-46_591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698045225405606130" border="0" /></a><br />Last week it finally arrived. The city with all its sharp edges, hard angles and loud noise is suddenly softened and quietened by a soft white blanket. The world is suddenly monochrome and gentle. My walk home from work was very peaceful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlG8hVi8TPKFdEQcis0PLlBnKGkvokcnrUqX670qyQqtvhOfbQjfbCcAWKOTSUCFUN8c28MiwuZYr2MdshiGJ4i8YhkhxHcRh8jhHOcnUsofILSatqZhGiwAGr-Owk0y7d4C9oYswlSs/s1600/2012-01-12_16-20-06_112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlG8hVi8TPKFdEQcis0PLlBnKGkvokcnrUqX670qyQqtvhOfbQjfbCcAWKOTSUCFUN8c28MiwuZYr2MdshiGJ4i8YhkhxHcRh8jhHOcnUsofILSatqZhGiwAGr-Owk0y7d4C9oYswlSs/s400/2012-01-12_16-20-06_112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698045109349879650" border="0" /></a><br />Even the geese on the pond were wearing a coat of white snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAZ1lSsdqOEUWDPKe1-wAyzOXY1p_iVb1rw0Sx_sUmWnMQ5Zyt_KYzJpfLGli__EGX2-Hfbx13v2RByRoaB7hjwe5fzsNde3V8aTs9myth1K1L_b-RqcV3L_wf2xT8bG_YsvaMtczucI/s1600/2012-01-12_16-18-05_876.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAZ1lSsdqOEUWDPKe1-wAyzOXY1p_iVb1rw0Sx_sUmWnMQ5Zyt_KYzJpfLGli__EGX2-Hfbx13v2RByRoaB7hjwe5fzsNde3V8aTs9myth1K1L_b-RqcV3L_wf2xT8bG_YsvaMtczucI/s400/2012-01-12_16-18-05_876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044939286392098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_xnkmNajr9hU78DVQbQepNuF__p9EdkdqpBHAjc-0eoofyU6Ra00aOd4MIyQFxRLhVU2bb0Fgnd-RJnZ5a-SMym4BOuDZoox7vzUu72cRlQ8jH7bak-ySiZDp2cEmJzlJSyrV8yHi6c/s1600/2012-01-12_16-17-07_612.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_xnkmNajr9hU78DVQbQepNuF__p9EdkdqpBHAjc-0eoofyU6Ra00aOd4MIyQFxRLhVU2bb0Fgnd-RJnZ5a-SMym4BOuDZoox7vzUu72cRlQ8jH7bak-ySiZDp2cEmJzlJSyrV8yHi6c/s400/2012-01-12_16-17-07_612.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044821748718770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs3i8ooiKhp_wIC6CEId3saglAGBSXc1zLKGonF4HAcYy-B4bzK9UkJBcmuoT_qeRVthgq1FpeoxB-RuEq2eeXGehwBOOXDWKiyl3p_1Ebz5hTi7MGwaeBWVuLmx2KAGdUiz-Cp64Mek/s1600/2012-01-12_16-16-07_491.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs3i8ooiKhp_wIC6CEId3saglAGBSXc1zLKGonF4HAcYy-B4bzK9UkJBcmuoT_qeRVthgq1FpeoxB-RuEq2eeXGehwBOOXDWKiyl3p_1Ebz5hTi7MGwaeBWVuLmx2KAGdUiz-Cp64Mek/s400/2012-01-12_16-16-07_491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044610378949074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rsUx_KAUjpv36wP7xov893OVPISVm0DOCzc23TjG8H8kQsH9KX7mZHIBBhYLqbt5wY6buHWXR9yggdFwiJXqfnTLoYwHk8hj7yKrqPsIQ8TNVhz6u3dozGoI47u_yJrHz5qiUmaVHsg/s1600/2012-01-12_16-15-38_237.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rsUx_KAUjpv36wP7xov893OVPISVm0DOCzc23TjG8H8kQsH9KX7mZHIBBhYLqbt5wY6buHWXR9yggdFwiJXqfnTLoYwHk8hj7yKrqPsIQ8TNVhz6u3dozGoI47u_yJrHz5qiUmaVHsg/s400/2012-01-12_16-15-38_237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044437384329298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IMLK-mulFUZig1hhvJtJ8Q5YRAOKHEVu5zQTcFFNEdjhyphenhyphenO_UNdo0Hwp4i5Q0DzKHm-m_bSub13Bo3sn0bWFZYKQ4YaFKpZzebEA0GMBjhlakWllbQk1HWzGQ4sZw95w_-951WnfJ3_8/s1600/2012-01-12_16-14-23_856.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IMLK-mulFUZig1hhvJtJ8Q5YRAOKHEVu5zQTcFFNEdjhyphenhyphenO_UNdo0Hwp4i5Q0DzKHm-m_bSub13Bo3sn0bWFZYKQ4YaFKpZzebEA0GMBjhlakWllbQk1HWzGQ4sZw95w_-951WnfJ3_8/s400/2012-01-12_16-14-23_856.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044255512650162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaJ78_3LPnrlET2C-uRbtg_RqTHlt_99nCg-S8IQMVHhl5Jp3SW0sGJL_46Wkr-PzU-TAzoFVivPGJoONhi6PzAIhsf2LaBb_35nVm80gkZMQkmJn7fOBG47KfF3ai6P0QuMYgEuqzeU/s1600/2012-01-12_16-12-04_350.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaJ78_3LPnrlET2C-uRbtg_RqTHlt_99nCg-S8IQMVHhl5Jp3SW0sGJL_46Wkr-PzU-TAzoFVivPGJoONhi6PzAIhsf2LaBb_35nVm80gkZMQkmJn7fOBG47KfF3ai6P0QuMYgEuqzeU/s400/2012-01-12_16-12-04_350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698044095350221762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdRSXZxo8iGt9sjCGbqRqaEylQNZcech943bBwk8tSOl2j85StH2Mea0VNfc-fRvCfhLS86cgUW9jQGpr9ceHN2-8vpW7LUEDhEvuV8cR3ZaA97zZpTrmw0tAmqLD1VOONVBpaSy2TT0/s1600/2012-01-12_16-10-03_804.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdRSXZxo8iGt9sjCGbqRqaEylQNZcech943bBwk8tSOl2j85StH2Mea0VNfc-fRvCfhLS86cgUW9jQGpr9ceHN2-8vpW7LUEDhEvuV8cR3ZaA97zZpTrmw0tAmqLD1VOONVBpaSy2TT0/s400/2012-01-12_16-10-03_804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698043915182873234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb41A6nsI_86eZziYYnCls-FmKx_VYvG7hx6jT7f2t-tg5WjFyRFt5QKh2KVGpVfTlEvk1EtYLszQhJWLd-Kq13h2SpdwX_Uo0hxZqmOVDj2PVKUsPuISLHu-rL937gS8FV1XRJbOGxw/s1600/2012-01-12_16-09-06_968.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb41A6nsI_86eZziYYnCls-FmKx_VYvG7hx6jT7f2t-tg5WjFyRFt5QKh2KVGpVfTlEvk1EtYLszQhJWLd-Kq13h2SpdwX_Uo0hxZqmOVDj2PVKUsPuISLHu-rL937gS8FV1XRJbOGxw/s400/2012-01-12_16-09-06_968.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698043784354810210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNpk_6-JSZj7ArIJNVBicdHlJwJEYczeqd5YoQZAr-zBlTSPObz9qjp409Cc02kdJgnjO3P66rFxehzUUTCFbCdAAkH4-yfS3i6tq8IxbbU0SoFTj3mP5FsuSBLWdoehJ6YJUJ94KVOU/s1600/2012-01-12_16-08-11_617.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNpk_6-JSZj7ArIJNVBicdHlJwJEYczeqd5YoQZAr-zBlTSPObz9qjp409Cc02kdJgnjO3P66rFxehzUUTCFbCdAAkH4-yfS3i6tq8IxbbU0SoFTj3mP5FsuSBLWdoehJ6YJUJ94KVOU/s400/2012-01-12_16-08-11_617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698043613360834466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk1IuE7FepX5Qe7w61JVlB9qjwNEZp3rxp_mcXQ68_7lR4QENk_oBPUIZOJeHvtcOQ8hGFb-32bpxadO_vX79T4xiU5-pjjWZcIvl6GwLgqOJ-FKyayQTlgjk5-QAodF0ylW0OFOQ4uo/s1600/2012-01-12_16-06-39_724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk1IuE7FepX5Qe7w61JVlB9qjwNEZp3rxp_mcXQ68_7lR4QENk_oBPUIZOJeHvtcOQ8hGFb-32bpxadO_vX79T4xiU5-pjjWZcIvl6GwLgqOJ-FKyayQTlgjk5-QAodF0ylW0OFOQ4uo/s400/2012-01-12_16-06-39_724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698043474425676146" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-57959630899484885352011-12-31T17:44:00.033-06:002011-12-31T19:41:14.837-06:002011 In ReviewWhen I did this last year, it seemed quite fun, I was surprised how much I had managed to cram into the year and there seemed to be a good balance of business and pleasure. This year, by contrast seemed to be far too heavily weighted towards work but I have tried to create a balance here so as not to bore you too much!<br /><br />The year started out with a bang with 'The Blizzard' or as we prefer to call it, 'Snowtorious BIG'. Even Chi Town which is used to dealing with snow was no match for this one. Over two thousand cars were buried in drifts on Lakeshore Drive and the usually bustling city streets were silent and swaddled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlayjX-u84gy6XZtnY0uqchMK1yO-PnL8AVAbzsWS-f2_7vodVXUnaprJ0McESbjIj8N6Qen-ppaW2IQbj8f1asKUKSfcY-XmsJz-SXD7-8sgGIRTNAK6eP5JL0d6xmgCxIA8NF-BcEU/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlayjX-u84gy6XZtnY0uqchMK1yO-PnL8AVAbzsWS-f2_7vodVXUnaprJ0McESbjIj8N6Qen-ppaW2IQbj8f1asKUKSfcY-XmsJz-SXD7-8sgGIRTNAK6eP5JL0d6xmgCxIA8NF-BcEU/s400/IMG_2445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692455379260276354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6wDqkMdeJ7zcn-PeMKurl-IY4o8GKPGSREhb12KQb5zwmqSMGeUguA2ScWQ86zD-Co67W3TnBvXQ3Jb9Rz-GvE8U404vEepz9FBB_VzFf_jLEvNWP9QeNJXrkf9R-xfyUlBBKEoQJew/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6wDqkMdeJ7zcn-PeMKurl-IY4o8GKPGSREhb12KQb5zwmqSMGeUguA2ScWQ86zD-Co67W3TnBvXQ3Jb9Rz-GvE8U404vEepz9FBB_VzFf_jLEvNWP9QeNJXrkf9R-xfyUlBBKEoQJew/s400/IMG_2437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692455279081962850" border="0" /></a><br />I had a small patient at work with a broken leg so I had to stagger/wade/swim/slide/dive my way through the massive drifts to go into work to give him his medications. It was kind of fun being at work totally alone, just me and the animals in peace and quiet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10plsrdWjvXgS65QxvEG7PnIa9U_O9ehURTGSe8OJBdErcUANRU5gB1qW19CKlYhKrcSerIQPEvoMVnUfNWeEzg_a9jruWIyNcJpKV0btwe6C2PNQktYF3nmGNIu2noqnQc2dfTIK4v0/s1600/IMG_4938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10plsrdWjvXgS65QxvEG7PnIa9U_O9ehURTGSe8OJBdErcUANRU5gB1qW19CKlYhKrcSerIQPEvoMVnUfNWeEzg_a9jruWIyNcJpKV0btwe6C2PNQktYF3nmGNIu2noqnQc2dfTIK4v0/s400/IMG_4938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692455165070584066" border="0" /></a><br />The first few three months of the year seemed to be filled with working on the creation of our first in house temporary exhibit, Nature's Architects a look into the world of animal builders. It seemed to be very popular and ran all through the summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xjBy99gRvyDtKTJIacsqVKkQcTRVwE3jGZSbul5YrHqRMA_k2QA5KLt67bhhXM9ZPhmxrpn9kYjMXmajFSiLRzReqnjf1r8r0Rth9NwXjQET0eV_zopITk0gJm8evDwqPA-JmgcvK3U/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xjBy99gRvyDtKTJIacsqVKkQcTRVwE3jGZSbul5YrHqRMA_k2QA5KLt67bhhXM9ZPhmxrpn9kYjMXmajFSiLRzReqnjf1r8r0Rth9NwXjQET0eV_zopITk0gJm8evDwqPA-JmgcvK3U/s400/IMG_5072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692455019905009410" border="0" /></a><br />In June we took our annual trip back to England to visit my family, taste the salt of the sea air, drink some 'real' beer and enjoy those seemingly endless summer evenings - bliss.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXDzixdf1cSdxRlaRZC3RjdY7_hkUjC4uyk-LB5ObVGmD1GFoL95vuCdawxaN_kbtz7H8pJ5I2q_tegCn5w7LhdZ838Gpn2FgNXrUejTH7Ql6HT4HXf5rekCTnKSiqRFJ1ijt2-FEmFY/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXDzixdf1cSdxRlaRZC3RjdY7_hkUjC4uyk-LB5ObVGmD1GFoL95vuCdawxaN_kbtz7H8pJ5I2q_tegCn5w7LhdZ838Gpn2FgNXrUejTH7Ql6HT4HXf5rekCTnKSiqRFJ1ijt2-FEmFY/s400/IMG_4236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692454785935757906" border="0" /></a><br />It was also a great opportunity to catch up with old friends - Hey Arthur!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95Uz-3MGrurX2SrVg96q-UD4HBxZP0NpirIeFqbPoVyGUsEeX1_x3SQce0NRxbnfzHq3r-93B8Mfz_Xw5tW4N9iFs7_DQUpLK2lLSHP7ekBEvsOXG82uRkYKhu7MbB6WQC5FYI1vvoFs/s1600/IMG_5487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95Uz-3MGrurX2SrVg96q-UD4HBxZP0NpirIeFqbPoVyGUsEeX1_x3SQce0NRxbnfzHq3r-93B8Mfz_Xw5tW4N9iFs7_DQUpLK2lLSHP7ekBEvsOXG82uRkYKhu7MbB6WQC5FYI1vvoFs/s400/IMG_5487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692454680239800114" border="0" /></a><br />And a first for us - take part in a Guinness book of Records attempt for gathering the most pirates in one place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhparZXLRi_6fWUNguYgUx78RKUg-1mOEpf7RZ9qI5r4DwTUqmf3LyGU8E_Y-qEFPSWKkFAg4LKAexb8AxQtW2MW7T-HJ8Xc89c0MD2STszKwD_7Fy48dBqqw6MvohiZGNQfKV4lTGrxtM/s1600/IMG_5398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhparZXLRi_6fWUNguYgUx78RKUg-1mOEpf7RZ9qI5r4DwTUqmf3LyGU8E_Y-qEFPSWKkFAg4LKAexb8AxQtW2MW7T-HJ8Xc89c0MD2STszKwD_7Fy48dBqqw6MvohiZGNQfKV4lTGrxtM/s400/IMG_5398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692454505679853026" border="0" /></a><br />What a blast! We did it by the way, smashed the record by several thousand - OOO ARRRR!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk1u2Hj2rpNvP1JKqOuaFvgfGs20h1g0oQRViVC9Hmzr90Z2ND0mO4PJOvj48RjYwTJ7CxzfIwmZ5ZrTrpCPr7jaqiYFMMpZgIGhXFuBWAiBdnBHz1r8LVi6cmcv63VTY22gSObNn4f0/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk1u2Hj2rpNvP1JKqOuaFvgfGs20h1g0oQRViVC9Hmzr90Z2ND0mO4PJOvj48RjYwTJ7CxzfIwmZ5ZrTrpCPr7jaqiYFMMpZgIGhXFuBWAiBdnBHz1r8LVi6cmcv63VTY22gSObNn4f0/s400/IMG_5427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692454417327557810" border="0" /></a><br />Meanwhile back in the big city, I got to hear my first tornado siren for real! I must admit I felt a bit of a wally sitting in the stairwell of our highrise waiting for the all clear to sound. Especially when I found out that my mate was outside on his bike and hadn't even heard the siren!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPsxnuoCpEvSpgYMxuAGmKX-18IzYgXbqvt2jPFaB-wopW967Zzj-3TNeuGj-i59CIaQUvVvmlUY4scyEEGWQfC-vCX3vzszbyYK084E128LWHV7DjwH5qvnBqUNZQCLi8F4M_7EOdYw/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPsxnuoCpEvSpgYMxuAGmKX-18IzYgXbqvt2jPFaB-wopW967Zzj-3TNeuGj-i59CIaQUvVvmlUY4scyEEGWQfC-vCX3vzszbyYK084E128LWHV7DjwH5qvnBqUNZQCLi8F4M_7EOdYw/s400/IMG_3235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692453968144952034" border="0" /></a><br />We took our usual department trip out to collect some critters for exhibits and had a good laugh and got wet and muddy in the process which is all part of the fun of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5h_ZIoTMI3ejiH8tf1BKVZqV3Bosi1lF10e2NZS5W7OIyTu6klxeha2HkNgxOmBzDkUViqRQn-o0Fe2bJ3N7mNL6iOm0HFRT6HW2yvIG0DdaDyyFIZCi7gQUGC2qz1irDrQ7D5jBvbo/s1600/IMG_5512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5h_ZIoTMI3ejiH8tf1BKVZqV3Bosi1lF10e2NZS5W7OIyTu6klxeha2HkNgxOmBzDkUViqRQn-o0Fe2bJ3N7mNL6iOm0HFRT6HW2yvIG0DdaDyyFIZCi7gQUGC2qz1irDrQ7D5jBvbo/s400/IMG_5512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692453843629669810" border="0" /></a><br />I made my annual pilgrimage down to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to see the best motorcyclists in the world 'do their thing' in the second US round of the Moto GP championship. Damn those guys know how to handle a bike!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyKSHvHACB0PefowSKKum7yMHfh9Yw5US3paIl2GVVRIBknI0ubjJAVbKp7SJ32JmZNP92CSbL0a5xc-O1fwCi-rCC7LzTA15WOR11npOgG81Mql0WthHsPN2WH45kmlYKMDshh1u_Os/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyKSHvHACB0PefowSKKum7yMHfh9Yw5US3paIl2GVVRIBknI0ubjJAVbKp7SJ32JmZNP92CSbL0a5xc-O1fwCi-rCC7LzTA15WOR11npOgG81Mql0WthHsPN2WH45kmlYKMDshh1u_Os/s400/IMG_3408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692453480075144834" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the summer we said goodbye to two wonderful interns who had been with us for almost three months. These two young people definitely go a long way towards restoring my faith in the next generation. Joe, crazy as they come but a great worker and totally devoted to the animal kingdom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVskp9n7wjHq28HuURaglPZVb7Zv2UkfbIeFMHkEYIfirn6uFK1h3-Lz8numrze3w9cmVhNMYrW2vNy6aKVU4XR6NyDCszd5N4jPTk9_s7OMGi6GHdkQngd5cHzmfUTQ5RQ4EMp40DM8/s1600/IMG_5625.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVskp9n7wjHq28HuURaglPZVb7Zv2UkfbIeFMHkEYIfirn6uFK1h3-Lz8numrze3w9cmVhNMYrW2vNy6aKVU4XR6NyDCszd5N4jPTk9_s7OMGi6GHdkQngd5cHzmfUTQ5RQ4EMp40DM8/s400/IMG_5625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692453396926419538" border="0" /></a><br />And Amy, what a sweet person. She is going to be a kickass entomologist one day I am sure. We certainly miss them both but because they are so awesome they came back in and helped out over Thanksgiving and Christmas when they were home from college.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XUgtDpDyqnyV9vs7b-7OkKLHjZnQJp9KlQbM1kQvsBFw5cgcc0Dl6uKLeE3tP7N-n6ysS9RW-plIRMj7W0LjVPVmgEGlV7sAHOpTPXpMKsCj1IzmAv-WzK-iuK6xj-OE5LfElFWsgss/s1600/IMG_5606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XUgtDpDyqnyV9vs7b-7OkKLHjZnQJp9KlQbM1kQvsBFw5cgcc0Dl6uKLeE3tP7N-n6ysS9RW-plIRMj7W0LjVPVmgEGlV7sAHOpTPXpMKsCj1IzmAv-WzK-iuK6xj-OE5LfElFWsgss/s400/IMG_5606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692453258099103378" border="0" /></a><br />Another major departure was our wonderful colleague Vincent who migrated back to his native habitat of New Orleans. He blew in our general direction after hurricane Katrina but he decided that enough time had passed and he wanted to head back to his home and family after several highly productive years getting our butterfly conservation work up and running.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEeaiPlVXCqoJAngK0gOkoKrrxEzsQqKZFmP0gynCdFwH7GDUfdRRhIHyAAnZ9otznuZlzoO0iOsyfdq81_K1dYPT5vQwu85CDZbh585BcKGMD6PMTvGvKzG5DG1v9nR7HU4e_Y7aUx0/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEeaiPlVXCqoJAngK0gOkoKrrxEzsQqKZFmP0gynCdFwH7GDUfdRRhIHyAAnZ9otznuZlzoO0iOsyfdq81_K1dYPT5vQwu85CDZbh585BcKGMD6PMTvGvKzG5DG1v9nR7HU4e_Y7aUx0/s400/IMG_5517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692452128988156354" border="0" /></a><br />Other departures for the year were of the non-human variety and of a more permanent type. Dear Spike, who had recovered fully from his broken leg lived the course of a natural rat life-span which is an all too brief two years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiKm-c8ZaRnwYtNxOqlDWiYSdwsBtKFFHoo0qFFP6fKH0WcPqa2jzGwVU_RLMVGFvNufabkQ9PJUQ4s78rwDPnW9vomTzl6uAopcsvzQ7A7Rw9vn_I7bwxxvOfzH0e8d98I8y0ziVmQ8/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiKm-c8ZaRnwYtNxOqlDWiYSdwsBtKFFHoo0qFFP6fKH0WcPqa2jzGwVU_RLMVGFvNufabkQ9PJUQ4s78rwDPnW9vomTzl6uAopcsvzQ7A7Rw9vn_I7bwxxvOfzH0e8d98I8y0ziVmQ8/s400/IMG_4530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692451911456560226" border="0" /></a><br />Little Caboose who was being sold illegally through a petstore and who we had no information about although it was apparent he wasn't in the best of health. We did our very best for him but he survived a sadly short few months but won everyone's hearts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LuN5uIyEZqqBl70_iK8fut9FNNViZ-LGYx_jrhTvFnFuRi7rPevic024G-XBXRqKUPKOz4pIK4DD7hLjNTkjcQtxAMn5Y-H9XIWI8aeFvWYm_luiefoOBOUgjr4lkyL_u6yVgHZpVoQ/s1600/IMG_5227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LuN5uIyEZqqBl70_iK8fut9FNNViZ-LGYx_jrhTvFnFuRi7rPevic024G-XBXRqKUPKOz4pIK4DD7hLjNTkjcQtxAMn5Y-H9XIWI8aeFvWYm_luiefoOBOUgjr4lkyL_u6yVgHZpVoQ/s400/IMG_5227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692451394670841890" border="0" /></a><br />On a personal front, the biggest loss of the year was without doubt our beloved Winston. One day he was his usual wonderful self and the next day he was gone. After only two years of a potentially fifteen year lifespan. We still miss him hugely. We gave him a grand burial under a tree overlooking Lake Michigan with champagne under a full moon. Farewell Buddy, we miss you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZbPldpvpg8BJ78Ltjjab8iIN00KEmflWnSN4wn03A27NjJltPlwhaYbN0DNayL2m9jUFK-netFZNRCRAjLR2AJ35Byx01mC0XdGOnVDH8T3BAnaLVs5QjoEJReLLcu-VxIVLgcg60Fc/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZbPldpvpg8BJ78Ltjjab8iIN00KEmflWnSN4wn03A27NjJltPlwhaYbN0DNayL2m9jUFK-netFZNRCRAjLR2AJ35Byx01mC0XdGOnVDH8T3BAnaLVs5QjoEJReLLcu-VxIVLgcg60Fc/s400/IMG_5504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692450805958149794" border="0" /></a><br />On a happier note we have some wonderful new additions to our menagerie. The quite splendid Patsy McNasty a little four year old Alligator Snapping Turtle. She is a state listed endangered species and her 'serious attitude problem' has ensured that she has rapidly become a favourite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE7C2VIEfSRZyZrryE-GIGR-HRU_OddXCqyDjD9u5ViFVJM52HexV3or69tjVpEBUWtlXM53Vymz1-KFauAafKRLfDabFILY6JlM7brExO8guHLG9Lko2sPJ7X9Xyn8EhIf5nfiInoK4/s1600/IMG_5557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE7C2VIEfSRZyZrryE-GIGR-HRU_OddXCqyDjD9u5ViFVJM52HexV3or69tjVpEBUWtlXM53Vymz1-KFauAafKRLfDabFILY6JlM7brExO8guHLG9Lko2sPJ7X9Xyn8EhIf5nfiInoK4/s400/IMG_5557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692452659627238482" border="0" /></a><br />Another two state listed additions of an altogether milder disposition have also joined the gang. Ornate Box Turtles, Onyx<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP13uvpfzz3MbFDb7vMgXAc9RTzSisf_ERCenwCVc4JmIU1AwUmEYi5MKr7owu-QOf5_ud9ZX6pdn__prUS9FecnnFOIYKKEkSyipUAoU765OEStvFke65SSGp1lzCqM-PULVGIKEpCU/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP13uvpfzz3MbFDb7vMgXAc9RTzSisf_ERCenwCVc4JmIU1AwUmEYi5MKr7owu-QOf5_ud9ZX6pdn__prUS9FecnnFOIYKKEkSyipUAoU765OEStvFke65SSGp1lzCqM-PULVGIKEpCU/s400/IMG_5256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692452482799886594" border="0" /></a><br />And the impossibly cute, Opal. No one can resist her, absolutely no one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtE95Wx96rAMdrwFy3RCeKn1XXAjR6S-x1PkUSYPXUgC_hyphenhyphenPrkuqKznVOg1xE8Oqwcv3neVyYhtWUN3dZXfd4i0-NEZHhcwlPxbJx5ruh8VOvgxm91U6-yUyO_A-6gF12x12v86F20TI/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtE95Wx96rAMdrwFy3RCeKn1XXAjR6S-x1PkUSYPXUgC_hyphenhyphenPrkuqKznVOg1xE8Oqwcv3neVyYhtWUN3dZXfd4i0-NEZHhcwlPxbJx5ruh8VOvgxm91U6-yUyO_A-6gF12x12v86F20TI/s400/IMG_5286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692452300317649698" border="0" /></a><br />In what has felt like a less than stellar year there has been one very bright ray of light. Our beautiful little piece of heaven in the desert. A frequent bolt-hole and wonderful way to relax and recharge.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUpUT6RPNc1iYNBi88F64qwWNMgPFQqoEVwn14HTLgf7j5qeZcNWKWEOA9rCmL_IlV6G53OQOsYQcFuOammwW-zPXLwyKlRIvesV0kHVyuqPhWGvUZ1g-KLxww0hyphenhyphenL3_KOMkfkVr8bRk/s1600/IMG_4095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUpUT6RPNc1iYNBi88F64qwWNMgPFQqoEVwn14HTLgf7j5qeZcNWKWEOA9rCmL_IlV6G53OQOsYQcFuOammwW-zPXLwyKlRIvesV0kHVyuqPhWGvUZ1g-KLxww0hyphenhyphenL3_KOMkfkVr8bRk/s400/IMG_4095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692452935768078818" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX3-NWhe403FdKBP8TUJXmdUhR5YxwdhG3UYGS6WQiAfN3VNGCdseUFCShtKBKr1NTLVAw6QifNNZJJoPhVGTJyQn3lMw2Js2Xh59wZvad141TV0oTRjUqoaTu3v9ey_oG1hP6bp-818/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX3-NWhe403FdKBP8TUJXmdUhR5YxwdhG3UYGS6WQiAfN3VNGCdseUFCShtKBKr1NTLVAw6QifNNZJJoPhVGTJyQn3lMw2Js2Xh59wZvad141TV0oTRjUqoaTu3v9ey_oG1hP6bp-818/s400/IMG_3997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692456118898450306" border="0" /></a><br />On the sporting front I think the less said about our football team this year the better!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCOTcx1OuZ_X4_n67eQvAIvZc1aFsWFOWx_bNP0mORf3Holz-Yy_kTnMmHqpnfO9wWNirqWQB8Bp4BKrnhr8wYHkIA1wHgdj_uko85AjlrQm86Xc5jR9ly1SNPUvG_DFgPJTi6FXRB44/s1600/ChicagoBears2_display.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCOTcx1OuZ_X4_n67eQvAIvZc1aFsWFOWx_bNP0mORf3Holz-Yy_kTnMmHqpnfO9wWNirqWQB8Bp4BKrnhr8wYHkIA1wHgdj_uko85AjlrQm86Xc5jR9ly1SNPUvG_DFgPJTi6FXRB44/s400/ChicagoBears2_display.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692457798358509954" border="0" /></a><br />Our splendid Blackhawks are more than making up for it though, especially the sublime<br />number 81. My throat is still sore from cheering at the game we were at last night! Great win.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNrgZeXitSwcpRzClSDJJqdd1mO-U7hacoNQL29b6LSeWx8jA3_-fYH0fqYvf5q810R8NADoo4InSWjcp5ewfYEozbndgN1pQV8TNPdOTvEcj0M2KPH7gUrHf4dgPQZ90ALg41MBZjCk/s1600/marian-hossa-2011-1-9-21-10-44.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNrgZeXitSwcpRzClSDJJqdd1mO-U7hacoNQL29b6LSeWx8jA3_-fYH0fqYvf5q810R8NADoo4InSWjcp5ewfYEozbndgN1pQV8TNPdOTvEcj0M2KPH7gUrHf4dgPQZ90ALg41MBZjCk/s400/marian-hossa-2011-1-9-21-10-44.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692457318155301426" border="0" /></a><br />To end the year a rare treat indeed, the first Christmas my mate and I have spent alone since we met! What a delight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_9LurfoHsvAxRYSSdp8fE5mYnrnvteY9kR2_a6RTSF2MpR_tNRvt_Y5wYtp5AILupt1wFCcXycryoRLCOSofYhHYUCbpyiu4Xn-TJBM239FzWgVVbx3fJyXjtgcRCrKWopqZcQ4gyKc/s1600/IMG_4299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_9LurfoHsvAxRYSSdp8fE5mYnrnvteY9kR2_a6RTSF2MpR_tNRvt_Y5wYtp5AILupt1wFCcXycryoRLCOSofYhHYUCbpyiu4Xn-TJBM239FzWgVVbx3fJyXjtgcRCrKWopqZcQ4gyKc/s400/IMG_4299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692450586101549666" border="0" /></a><br />And so 2011 draws to a close and 2012 looms. I wish it is all things that you want it to be.<br />Happy New Year.Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-27311856796884365832011-12-22T20:07:00.019-06:002011-12-22T21:16:56.752-06:00Our Southwestern ChristmasThis post is really for my Mum and Dad because they wanted to see how we had decorated the house for Christmas but, of course, anyone else who is into Christmas is welcome to read on too. Where else to start but at the front door, festive with red bow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Amzhw_vF8TaEltGPj9TxkQoUyToeWmEtbrI2FUQrFSv51figW5GibqYJ3kJYzC-04xwpRHhrCGk0SJaBWWJqH0qXqXNpzcTWhupqbYQXPDns4T4Syx0yzkGscL_yGZGp8mWfmy-ir6A/s1600/IMG_4085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Amzhw_vF8TaEltGPj9TxkQoUyToeWmEtbrI2FUQrFSv51figW5GibqYJ3kJYzC-04xwpRHhrCGk0SJaBWWJqH0qXqXNpzcTWhupqbYQXPDns4T4Syx0yzkGscL_yGZGp8mWfmy-ir6A/s400/IMG_4085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689149252961365234" border="0" /></a><br />Where does that messy wire on the left of the picture lead too? To our little baby Saguaro Cactus who is decked out for the holidays. It looks very pretty at night all lit up, however during the day the hummingbirds get very angry when they can't get any nectar out of the red bulbs and they keep buzzing it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOVApZyZWj3DkAOX30ReTo4Qy1C1rIaS1Yn_kEailnkDwq2teTPC2T9Iod8K-RdnCxq8rmigWwc5aHgkZBibEk68B-KMZO0QuFZbpDktnqMhwZ3wXP0ytaiMkLH4MwORRhgbudlZfiQI/s1600/IMG_4141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOVApZyZWj3DkAOX30ReTo4Qy1C1rIaS1Yn_kEailnkDwq2teTPC2T9Iod8K-RdnCxq8rmigWwc5aHgkZBibEk68B-KMZO0QuFZbpDktnqMhwZ3wXP0ytaiMkLH4MwORRhgbudlZfiQI/s400/IMG_4141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689149555326579410" border="0" /></a><br />Inside the front hall we have a pressed metal Christmas tree from Mexico<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fn7cbs1X_6HaHIk7-lB_vA-C74tg53z2qzAUheRC1sYzp05v4Ryl3clXov5t50K4WnuT5rJaWtw8Z0IfCAU6f4Si302rchCrpvuvET7KM0NNJJBHlVs8f1FaBKg2Omyu5l2AcOHsce4/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fn7cbs1X_6HaHIk7-lB_vA-C74tg53z2qzAUheRC1sYzp05v4Ryl3clXov5t50K4WnuT5rJaWtw8Z0IfCAU6f4Si302rchCrpvuvET7KM0NNJJBHlVs8f1FaBKg2Omyu5l2AcOHsce4/s400/IMG_4052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689139840321820834" border="0" /></a><br />My mate was a little perturbed when he saw me dragging a large branch in through the front door (it barely fit) but he liked the end result.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XMYPW13Y0tan6wST04SQfyP2GkWto87lEeRq1z7PrrSd0mx6R1CvRRFztRRMNAD-ocDIrY42HD3DmnxwmD3W5xHCfzVPSMNsVgIvHg_63ZTAtFT6t7yeC3RTTcq0IVzHb48kI7ddZbM/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XMYPW13Y0tan6wST04SQfyP2GkWto87lEeRq1z7PrrSd0mx6R1CvRRFztRRMNAD-ocDIrY42HD3DmnxwmD3W5xHCfzVPSMNsVgIvHg_63ZTAtFT6t7yeC3RTTcq0IVzHb48kI7ddZbM/s400/IMG_4054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689140655966681938" border="0" /></a><br />A place to put all the 'fuzzy' animal decorations that we have collected over the years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu-S-Llb6_9Q3KE6A_bkDtDtcGC5EQma0elXdnUK_iwynRbJuhYlP20UF2QsdHJ0e5BCwPOecwXbjiffJguoofwTu3VMbZkFiNBVyorucnRNs8DVWmaXoljUDKQuJ52wun4mBzKmLOfg/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu-S-Llb6_9Q3KE6A_bkDtDtcGC5EQma0elXdnUK_iwynRbJuhYlP20UF2QsdHJ0e5BCwPOecwXbjiffJguoofwTu3VMbZkFiNBVyorucnRNs8DVWmaXoljUDKQuJ52wun4mBzKmLOfg/s400/IMG_4055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689140956125967298" border="0" /></a><br />They seem much more in their element in a natural wood setting rather than amongst twinkling Christmas lights.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEDf3mYdd8OpgUjRJgZu7d4y2fWU9nkF7wI7kC3hj83FOwMp7Ldcy9DRW-mmqDX34AYh_QoA_zFjLeMKInOkmzozn8lvUCq94NEqWFiJ9EnLyKENnNgyvIJCHVUiLjReTHfYLeab9eaQ/s1600/IMG_4057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEDf3mYdd8OpgUjRJgZu7d4y2fWU9nkF7wI7kC3hj83FOwMp7Ldcy9DRW-mmqDX34AYh_QoA_zFjLeMKInOkmzozn8lvUCq94NEqWFiJ9EnLyKENnNgyvIJCHVUiLjReTHfYLeab9eaQ/s400/IMG_4057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689141235456982338" border="0" /></a><br />There is a very brief nod towards the concept of a white Christmas but nothing remotely chilly here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqWvygSC00JRdBWXvaJ1_kykfgmQCmUSUOtfYIzYFGbm9KLxuvYSM8knKp4Y5HOAQKc3AVdyuDvB2YzqwAU05LFMDgBuesx3Gvj35cV9r_fAJcF-mOaNiA5o_0_KszV_XCD2djpv03yg/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqWvygSC00JRdBWXvaJ1_kykfgmQCmUSUOtfYIzYFGbm9KLxuvYSM8knKp4Y5HOAQKc3AVdyuDvB2YzqwAU05LFMDgBuesx3Gvj35cV9r_fAJcF-mOaNiA5o_0_KszV_XCD2djpv03yg/s400/IMG_4058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689141524687811554" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't clear the wrapping stuff off the table for the photo but you get the general idea, simple and red.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JEGFsZr4kw8OrE-dW9l-uMvpboSX5vYbch4Rpbr0indbcVA_9K-z7JF_uUYTjPva5gS53v1Tsmf95jm8OIigX2bZg1Rgy5BlwQxP3rHEGMXXcE9V3iv2OJWHk56c9sxDqbsUWIIlio0/s1600/IMG_4059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JEGFsZr4kw8OrE-dW9l-uMvpboSX5vYbch4Rpbr0indbcVA_9K-z7JF_uUYTjPva5gS53v1Tsmf95jm8OIigX2bZg1Rgy5BlwQxP3rHEGMXXcE9V3iv2OJWHk56c9sxDqbsUWIIlio0/s400/IMG_4059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689141767444758082" border="0" /></a><br />Chilli's always feature strongly and they make a very festive wreath (smells pretty yummy too!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTzVCKkSlFPw9rKBvq-sSTgjnqlc9i5eWk2co0zU8wH_hVQNc-0KDp8dkoNPBU60fTx0qbkEpMV_08oLOH0hfZufOb9T7-2W2mn4WuBZZ7ruW_KczLTclRRy4u7tBo1t9507jN_kuyeU/s1600/IMG_4060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTzVCKkSlFPw9rKBvq-sSTgjnqlc9i5eWk2co0zU8wH_hVQNc-0KDp8dkoNPBU60fTx0qbkEpMV_08oLOH0hfZufOb9T7-2W2mn4WuBZZ7ruW_KczLTclRRy4u7tBo1t9507jN_kuyeU/s400/IMG_4060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689141981518989826" border="0" /></a><br />The fireplace is swathed and I was so excited when I managed to find Christmas stockings with Saguaro Cactus on them! Who would have thought?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_N2cQwqnVIhaNozs1GZaJ40TcFDMrj0l_ymw_-xxo6aKRlbHyAERtarhy6NWNYw10pfMsIbRC9pUNFO7mHc55E09XKN9JkCTHp4lBOaF1gClSb74gtK5QJC-8lKglZLvJPElwRW_37w/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_N2cQwqnVIhaNozs1GZaJ40TcFDMrj0l_ymw_-xxo6aKRlbHyAERtarhy6NWNYw10pfMsIbRC9pUNFO7mHc55E09XKN9JkCTHp4lBOaF1gClSb74gtK5QJC-8lKglZLvJPElwRW_37w/s400/IMG_4072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689148968679701554" border="0" /></a><br />Last but not least is of course the Christmas tree and I have had a great time over the last couple of months scouring ebay, shops and farmers markets looking for appropriate ornaments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcpON6X-KiOZ5vrJylQud0NPhPdAw9FYD3EmphiEsdr4SdfDYBpk9IiVJjgJpDhHqaZy7wP9rP6JSF6I8v38Z6q3rkCjBO1Rr5bAf59t0vDDMNdE-iClR-qNX3t8fLaluH7goLRRtqqA/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcpON6X-KiOZ5vrJylQud0NPhPdAw9FYD3EmphiEsdr4SdfDYBpk9IiVJjgJpDhHqaZy7wP9rP6JSF6I8v38Z6q3rkCjBO1Rr5bAf59t0vDDMNdE-iClR-qNX3t8fLaluH7goLRRtqqA/s400/IMG_4063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689142256362095058" border="0" /></a><br />A buffalo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSQmptKYTbJf7nfjNaabAglrq6Nv3BuQOiv7qDIX5lANU6YHTFXc59EKM6dQowbWuEYjcRL7Rv0e1gP3WNdmmS5Qv27asMiifuJo-kumrd542-t42CRWCnOJkYDn8NuyXSVhfCrl9B6Q/s1600/IMG_4069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSQmptKYTbJf7nfjNaabAglrq6Nv3BuQOiv7qDIX5lANU6YHTFXc59EKM6dQowbWuEYjcRL7Rv0e1gP3WNdmmS5Qv27asMiifuJo-kumrd542-t42CRWCnOJkYDn8NuyXSVhfCrl9B6Q/s400/IMG_4069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689148661730528082" border="0" /></a><br />Prickly Pear Cactus<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIhWpyduRMrzRkHHaO29DrH1eZSKXXSePlcf7aHlPNW_2XUY01s_KADj3nHAe5A9iomtvthMvkmf61xLkL09yaFcqLhs33I-F_CNvsDhvPAfDO1GrHlbeabai9uBJUhFE9MOZcijv9CI/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIhWpyduRMrzRkHHaO29DrH1eZSKXXSePlcf7aHlPNW_2XUY01s_KADj3nHAe5A9iomtvthMvkmf61xLkL09yaFcqLhs33I-F_CNvsDhvPAfDO1GrHlbeabai9uBJUhFE9MOZcijv9CI/s400/IMG_4068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689148375176253474" border="0" /></a><br />The omnipresent chili peppers<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wk6JghvK_LRDKfveskJ9TDL62RmyRgJ_qhqJQJXLRZH6mJ4AJVuweTyFyte_JZS0Ih9sr_1MILW_2e2f9TvDpDxJnkHchNO-l1DZ98tmI6sZFmvEG2sgP2vRJFJL0niNhYpLyQGFw8s/s1600/IMG_4067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wk6JghvK_LRDKfveskJ9TDL62RmyRgJ_qhqJQJXLRZH6mJ4AJVuweTyFyte_JZS0Ih9sr_1MILW_2e2f9TvDpDxJnkHchNO-l1DZ98tmI6sZFmvEG2sgP2vRJFJL0niNhYpLyQGFw8s/s400/IMG_4067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689148030628432482" border="0" /></a><br />Reptiles of numerous species and colours<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe_Vz0Rcl1C3oAIs1PPWpidOb3opRWQV4nmfm0SSGLDAIffDAbkVPov_3v0ZGNKNmGUVCnfKv-qzbFgF9FDAXL8hCKlDMjAG6FLX3n_3YA8BQ7kyz7hECO8LqYxIQkVY_gWUQRd7ByY8/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe_Vz0Rcl1C3oAIs1PPWpidOb3opRWQV4nmfm0SSGLDAIffDAbkVPov_3v0ZGNKNmGUVCnfKv-qzbFgF9FDAXL8hCKlDMjAG6FLX3n_3YA8BQ7kyz7hECO8LqYxIQkVY_gWUQRd7ByY8/s400/IMG_4066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689147701673790770" border="0" /></a><br />The Wily Coyote howling at the moon<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXgqfKMgfQ2fyMaeL8VCmsEhAtUa5s0UYQdf997lFucMXHFCI0XXuskFCItCSMPYzpT38VZ5R5_ZEnsHtnDmCewcE02vN5NjBD_kHMIKBirgcykwm4vBL_SNZwAdB0H7jOSxqeA71jvo/s1600/IMG_4064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXgqfKMgfQ2fyMaeL8VCmsEhAtUa5s0UYQdf997lFucMXHFCI0XXuskFCItCSMPYzpT38VZ5R5_ZEnsHtnDmCewcE02vN5NjBD_kHMIKBirgcykwm4vBL_SNZwAdB0H7jOSxqeA71jvo/s400/IMG_4064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689142526930804274" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, no tree would be complete without several different Saguaro Cactus ornaments<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fzaqHvslQ14Vb0Vy3UjVoBzTTaoRknDIfTki1mphZXc-n0FpvXfWH_hyvMh7asRxd8EgIFxOnzS6rIt61m3akgbrtQpHYOKbv0JwliTk2um-qdTMDMZDcwNfoF_x78NbPt1LZwml8J8/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fzaqHvslQ14Vb0Vy3UjVoBzTTaoRknDIfTki1mphZXc-n0FpvXfWH_hyvMh7asRxd8EgIFxOnzS6rIt61m3akgbrtQpHYOKbv0JwliTk2um-qdTMDMZDcwNfoF_x78NbPt1LZwml8J8/s400/IMG_4065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689147028408234866" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Christmas everyone and I hope you all have a very Happy and Healthy Festive Season wherever you may be in the world.Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-54229363210128251272011-11-04T20:38:00.009-05:002011-11-04T20:58:59.626-05:00Friday at LastWhat was with this week? It just seemed to go on and on and on! On Tuesday I thought it was Wednesday, on Wednesday I thought it was Thursday and by Thursday I was done. It is not as if it was a particularly stressful week, well no more than usual anyway. It just felt like it would never end. So by the end of the work day today I felt in need of a little 'me time'. I meandered slowly through the park on my way home, making the most of the soft, evening sunlight<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRuj15CnoLW4P59TaocwPZq2WthRLIIaFGYWZIGOlRnM3LVaWO86EBBj06P4P7RIRRpHPCfV8PZ6ANSv3N2hLBOGOSMEFKHJiQEUR_ve2Y_GcrL4PMKyIuTZod7YM36oXaDQJkcCQZ0c/s1600/IMG_5906.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRuj15CnoLW4P59TaocwPZq2WthRLIIaFGYWZIGOlRnM3LVaWO86EBBj06P4P7RIRRpHPCfV8PZ6ANSv3N2hLBOGOSMEFKHJiQEUR_ve2Y_GcrL4PMKyIuTZod7YM36oXaDQJkcCQZ0c/s400/IMG_5906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671321825508106354" border="0" /></a><br />and enjoyed the soothing colours of the remaining Autumn foliage<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sJKvA6c0FwCuYlb0CksHmvEI2GQ2rfkfiymQRE-1ABJ5xQ4BMwizu4MOxODMgKERrzCqBffAFq6KQmWLDNItpT7ZVAF3FHZP1dyBtrfSkBJEjVjXIH8WybPi6sY47MNYHzTQQQYXwY8/s1600/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sJKvA6c0FwCuYlb0CksHmvEI2GQ2rfkfiymQRE-1ABJ5xQ4BMwizu4MOxODMgKERrzCqBffAFq6KQmWLDNItpT7ZVAF3FHZP1dyBtrfSkBJEjVjXIH8WybPi6sY47MNYHzTQQQYXwY8/s400/IMG_5907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671321369848843538" border="0" /></a><br />When I got home I raided my stash of English chocolate (sorry but American chocolate just doesn't cut it!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIBobGvRHWMjAYdrdc0rukbbqKzwIFCX-VIRbVb32Exjh27fwH9E7tGRmOnvJoiigi1qRwpkvoiU_xQzPL2VGabwOqN7wFiy3UcKe9EFCviFFt4y2hFYHzzQHKH0OnWEkmZkxnPYDwAI/s1600/IMG_3979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIBobGvRHWMjAYdrdc0rukbbqKzwIFCX-VIRbVb32Exjh27fwH9E7tGRmOnvJoiigi1qRwpkvoiU_xQzPL2VGabwOqN7wFiy3UcKe9EFCviFFt4y2hFYHzzQHKH0OnWEkmZkxnPYDwAI/s400/IMG_3979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671320988949208274" border="0" /></a><br />And then a total 'veg - out' in front of the TV while the mighty Blackhawks kept me entertained.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CXDSShDWtbJ32xgG4r6LGWb6szS-bcXhAHXfCbwuBk8esONCc1VgsjI0k5GI76CbXFBdPY7doALGtMnHK_9cyoNbXsyFlBtxIqhBs6uMwavzwLKd6i1u8Rp2232ru1vGCyrQsHXdEJU/s1600/IMG_5910.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CXDSShDWtbJ32xgG4r6LGWb6szS-bcXhAHXfCbwuBk8esONCc1VgsjI0k5GI76CbXFBdPY7doALGtMnHK_9cyoNbXsyFlBtxIqhBs6uMwavzwLKd6i1u8Rp2232ru1vGCyrQsHXdEJU/s400/IMG_5910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671320707778011970" border="0" /></a><br />And my final reward for surviving the week? - a 'wee dram' of the wonderous Laphroaig. Cheers! Here's to the weekend :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinzunwDkly8jW2eCpj1T6kG3xZvCq811WaVIs42JYi6qWe7dzqkKKBD_x1k4cOI47JV7aZwVkpIAzvPcAIKzTLpc36bKPhyuK-jjJnauI7dolwh93PdGtw0bnCgtblgPlJ_6vbGHppWI/s1600/IMG_5909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinzunwDkly8jW2eCpj1T6kG3xZvCq811WaVIs42JYi6qWe7dzqkKKBD_x1k4cOI47JV7aZwVkpIAzvPcAIKzTLpc36bKPhyuK-jjJnauI7dolwh93PdGtw0bnCgtblgPlJ_6vbGHppWI/s400/IMG_5909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671320461226690226" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-62490275078697749042011-10-25T17:09:00.009-05:002011-10-25T19:41:41.738-05:00Going, Going (But Not Quite) Gone.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbbdLE8Z3p53n-atiXKTKX-8s6i6_5AUfXT_FL5cvazaTtR84bEuprIyDP2rL6gPd_WnbfUXMdcmnILkJIs6KxiHKx2PI9oHDzTtEnvuYF3v9r_skUIfOuLG0iFobNPopGTN6fSMG96w/s1600/IMG_5791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbbdLE8Z3p53n-atiXKTKX-8s6i6_5AUfXT_FL5cvazaTtR84bEuprIyDP2rL6gPd_WnbfUXMdcmnILkJIs6KxiHKx2PI9oHDzTtEnvuYF3v9r_skUIfOuLG0iFobNPopGTN6fSMG96w/s400/IMG_5791.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667556325976018274" border="0" /></a><br />The pond has a strong population of herons during the summer months with three species represented. The weather is changing and now the numbers are thinning out fast. This seems to be the last Great Blue Heron.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_WKZq7rkaOmr8e8hiwvOXUmAcrthJRcSd0hRgcgaoHpLXjabzAz52lQIZHjlh7OhzK-j6LglLISy7AByTa2_dvRJRazafhFb73UO1fXJDEGUTWAj_m0C_dQkRrVstX01Swawu5Hdo6o/s1600/IMG_5794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_WKZq7rkaOmr8e8hiwvOXUmAcrthJRcSd0hRgcgaoHpLXjabzAz52lQIZHjlh7OhzK-j6LglLISy7AByTa2_dvRJRazafhFb73UO1fXJDEGUTWAj_m0C_dQkRrVstX01Swawu5Hdo6o/s400/IMG_5794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667556139365959730" border="0" /></a><br />All the mature Black-crowned Night Herons have moved south but there are still a few juveniles making the most of the masses of Blue Gills living in the pond to feast on and fatten up before they fly to warmer climes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDleYFQ7_DHtY1RDk9xeVT6g0sw0zHO5RtrWbp7qsWFnvN5bsfa5nsTnZlDAEI_TCLRRwbpXjRaPVU1u0PX9N1CNJT8gCzFwLPw3Ao06p6uHORQqVH2KP3XT_vLPKqPcvREgq_vtxspwM/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDleYFQ7_DHtY1RDk9xeVT6g0sw0zHO5RtrWbp7qsWFnvN5bsfa5nsTnZlDAEI_TCLRRwbpXjRaPVU1u0PX9N1CNJT8gCzFwLPw3Ao06p6uHORQqVH2KP3XT_vLPKqPcvREgq_vtxspwM/s400/IMG_5772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667555965910306434" border="0" /></a><br />A heron fishing is the definition of focus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ0fb3tuTxjeaW_KVwL6BlnbPxiJllJuN3YtKz3Gxp4uhyphenhyphen5WoXlhp_pM33ub6OO5Ujf98V3Vn71P5I5ahunnEfd5OzSG6XsqzhyfP6_K2MnDPbsPzI5xm0EpdNFonufX_1CKeNdrd660/s1600/IMG_5771.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ0fb3tuTxjeaW_KVwL6BlnbPxiJllJuN3YtKz3Gxp4uhyphenhyphen5WoXlhp_pM33ub6OO5Ujf98V3Vn71P5I5ahunnEfd5OzSG6XsqzhyfP6_K2MnDPbsPzI5xm0EpdNFonufX_1CKeNdrd660/s400/IMG_5771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667555795998734386" border="0" /></a><br />Do not disturb!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EpJckUxzCPfvdGb4WTx4_0J6C_dGxGIoOK43M_snpg5L1WHe5rTNQz1j0cilJ5ZxJDsjSOF3PgckzsP2VAAfvmyXUCI266D3peChQij_1-YH5xxzF-QjFDdgDK53yaUMvjsGGLwNm0Y/s1600/IMG_5769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EpJckUxzCPfvdGb4WTx4_0J6C_dGxGIoOK43M_snpg5L1WHe5rTNQz1j0cilJ5ZxJDsjSOF3PgckzsP2VAAfvmyXUCI266D3peChQij_1-YH5xxzF-QjFDdgDK53yaUMvjsGGLwNm0Y/s400/IMG_5769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667555593637144258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Nature Notes</span></span> hosted by Michelle at <a href="http://ramblingwoods.com/">Rambling Woods</a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-60461561490898477062011-10-18T21:37:00.006-05:002011-10-19T08:24:16.964-05:00Sunlit Seed-headsI love how many different forms of seed-heads grasses produce and the late afternoon autumn sunlight shows them off perfectly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk2-vAZnmOSvex3_fN1wqy7uFsLaASsEdo_i8MVd1-0m06nweWPrXt7jRZLdE3wzMMVN6MdRpVRrJRCfCL-8r2V-dyizshHkUkNKLpsBqjJoSyW0fcEsMMrbIflCs-duwXLdz0pyTCpM/s1600/IMG_5722.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk2-vAZnmOSvex3_fN1wqy7uFsLaASsEdo_i8MVd1-0m06nweWPrXt7jRZLdE3wzMMVN6MdRpVRrJRCfCL-8r2V-dyizshHkUkNKLpsBqjJoSyW0fcEsMMrbIflCs-duwXLdz0pyTCpM/s400/IMG_5722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665027414942081650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULYGw14k97AM6gQGM6k9syC_1bjHdOiYWhZg4EhKq1Q76v27TE5CDc3jC90P3AatRSp0-Hb2ZMVzIfBDCKjK2c3wphaULCutHpxCJhD09YXEuKKitq1a20Kz7u9aB0K3osfdggvFQYqk/s1600/IMG_5721.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULYGw14k97AM6gQGM6k9syC_1bjHdOiYWhZg4EhKq1Q76v27TE5CDc3jC90P3AatRSp0-Hb2ZMVzIfBDCKjK2c3wphaULCutHpxCJhD09YXEuKKitq1a20Kz7u9aB0K3osfdggvFQYqk/s400/IMG_5721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665027260269531890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIGKt_x0h2ISXOqCB0CFBplpZWPrWMJfGoK2rzpP3QVafFa-PAkOfxo7GeKxt_BK7hpIakXQy_vDyYOHPL3chk1uNwBcSNGaxbQ0Hjvff4-XquimMZdsNgNeYhsScs0MjOUrBezvzyr0/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIGKt_x0h2ISXOqCB0CFBplpZWPrWMJfGoK2rzpP3QVafFa-PAkOfxo7GeKxt_BK7hpIakXQy_vDyYOHPL3chk1uNwBcSNGaxbQ0Hjvff4-XquimMZdsNgNeYhsScs0MjOUrBezvzyr0/s400/IMG_5724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665027108859696114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5SjK0Ll45DcArIPpEbEE_KG0ut8mAh_lE2UmwIQ5nKhgJ4Z8CjDWLgvy1FLJuQJ8cD9e9ppogyJkj0ZZbzFhiUUbASeRpPFZlbY8ZBG1TJNLm9TJ_mlCwoqiAHwjcagWWz0ncO1SKQQ/s1600/IMG_5726.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5SjK0Ll45DcArIPpEbEE_KG0ut8mAh_lE2UmwIQ5nKhgJ4Z8CjDWLgvy1FLJuQJ8cD9e9ppogyJkj0ZZbzFhiUUbASeRpPFZlbY8ZBG1TJNLm9TJ_mlCwoqiAHwjcagWWz0ncO1SKQQ/s400/IMG_5726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665026976968732498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Nature Notes</span></span> hosted by Michelle at <a href="http:////ramblingwoods.com/">Rambling Woods</a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-71214110740954037212011-10-14T17:06:00.008-05:002011-10-14T17:11:40.660-05:00The Wonderful Wood Duck<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VbAd2uzB7zhkPLBxjW7dgkcU_k5LgE2z7Zzl1OnW4LWvMUoLqxTqsy_ZBFy7bV7093meikb-JyibvTjByoJLHMk08EY8YqPQLs9mOwlnpWFv0WMn7ImFRyOToiFQUruI4lvA9kacrUE/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VbAd2uzB7zhkPLBxjW7dgkcU_k5LgE2z7Zzl1OnW4LWvMUoLqxTqsy_ZBFy7bV7093meikb-JyibvTjByoJLHMk08EY8YqPQLs9mOwlnpWFv0WMn7ImFRyOToiFQUruI4lvA9kacrUE/s400/IMG_5729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663473477687333954" border="0" /></a><br />Is there anything more opulent than the glorious male Wood Duck in his magnificent breeding plumage? He just looks so handsome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXeia5flfT0xz77bPVOGa0QrNvhzX_Fuj7sXR_UWhAD8x1lvA8YEfQ0bOyICE2mtonaVvE5ebN-2vQw27cqkgU-gznrso3PiywpkBtkr3iOLkM4bBVfHM-OeO_dZoWLtyYZUcMJrw9_g/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXeia5flfT0xz77bPVOGa0QrNvhzX_Fuj7sXR_UWhAD8x1lvA8YEfQ0bOyICE2mtonaVvE5ebN-2vQw27cqkgU-gznrso3PiywpkBtkr3iOLkM4bBVfHM-OeO_dZoWLtyYZUcMJrw9_g/s400/IMG_5755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663473319417042482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianSR-T5VcjM-9A-VTNKQfb17JnCRGSVEH1Eo1DO9WGwrm22i5n477GnnNyHMDyvg_E5CaGHRuoRkMyZAJpqCqbWjUdksmTBVq7jcGoiXuiJe8yWkF9R4Rg_2KiEEHb3dK5ecfHJNzsHk/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianSR-T5VcjM-9A-VTNKQfb17JnCRGSVEH1Eo1DO9WGwrm22i5n477GnnNyHMDyvg_E5CaGHRuoRkMyZAJpqCqbWjUdksmTBVq7jcGoiXuiJe8yWkF9R4Rg_2KiEEHb3dK5ecfHJNzsHk/s400/IMG_5756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663473169011306946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yAUSX1-0iF02UEUXwDJYCP8cukOo2r1q2MyQs4JJ8fl2YNig3YWSZKAuI3wF9HEjLiAjQ5U0PUN5waQo101-yDf5c50f_jArs0VNdMMca38TRTsEPSZacqoSMZbudIAgjXMhelgHR4o/s1600/IMG_5758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yAUSX1-0iF02UEUXwDJYCP8cukOo2r1q2MyQs4JJ8fl2YNig3YWSZKAuI3wF9HEjLiAjQ5U0PUN5waQo101-yDf5c50f_jArs0VNdMMca38TRTsEPSZacqoSMZbudIAgjXMhelgHR4o/s400/IMG_5758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663473038738216818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NeGATmdFl8eRBdcZU4GOayNAW2uv3vZFZff12M6MQlT5roO9VLS5lHprt9EDuMBPerdyw4URJnMtHicQgycuVHgSbiktfc7YZkpiN9D_WpBem6BNUhvXA6cgaq922ziwSh2hoWG_gIs/s1600/IMG_5759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NeGATmdFl8eRBdcZU4GOayNAW2uv3vZFZff12M6MQlT5roO9VLS5lHprt9EDuMBPerdyw4URJnMtHicQgycuVHgSbiktfc7YZkpiN9D_WpBem6BNUhvXA6cgaq922ziwSh2hoWG_gIs/s400/IMG_5759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663472909553630194" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-59581191507640206752011-10-10T17:48:00.010-05:002011-10-10T17:59:01.041-05:00Siesta Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgs1_McDKlbzIjiwCL02tJ7HWCrOAsaIA8mQRTm6MnCPpDtgiTYjqiAIZtSsDn6tKvN0GjbpNXhqNZXdsNDtv3hpYmeXtJNWPCSSTQGvMpZy8ayxvsv0u1EXuVbm0tBqfQECWUUUJkqE/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgs1_McDKlbzIjiwCL02tJ7HWCrOAsaIA8mQRTm6MnCPpDtgiTYjqiAIZtSsDn6tKvN0GjbpNXhqNZXdsNDtv3hpYmeXtJNWPCSSTQGvMpZy8ayxvsv0u1EXuVbm0tBqfQECWUUUJkqE/s400/IMG_5761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662000495202492354" border="0" /></a><br />The animals in the park certainly seem to be making the most of the beautiful autumn weather we have been having. Happy, sleepy ducks :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0EUp6S1ncZtJoyPxegfm_Rg3KrY46oiHlExgbcR6Y_4gG8hs40xaRnR8rNC5DAfCgWAgYT7FgnNHa06FuYeC4-F92USCabFDJKPlNd9ftJCH6uTEdB9rwcMxaD7ZmGkfbtOIRZmyb3A/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0EUp6S1ncZtJoyPxegfm_Rg3KrY46oiHlExgbcR6Y_4gG8hs40xaRnR8rNC5DAfCgWAgYT7FgnNHa06FuYeC4-F92USCabFDJKPlNd9ftJCH6uTEdB9rwcMxaD7ZmGkfbtOIRZmyb3A/s400/IMG_5763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662000323561685218" border="0" /></a><br />This squirrel had obviously just been wading on the waters edge and was using the warm afternoon sun to dry off and warm up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATBiEPtb-lqvZAp5g1i0kP9s1tA6VAs1eGlIWMuAPxQUcHOy0gQAZTk3xZjhBpgcxha7sVfPKd9owLl0Al6Enrjx802YZ95GYc4k4Hrc0jLlwgV0Jnh2Ae6L7ctcpNd0be_m-nVoneIk/s1600/IMG_5765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATBiEPtb-lqvZAp5g1i0kP9s1tA6VAs1eGlIWMuAPxQUcHOy0gQAZTk3xZjhBpgcxha7sVfPKd9owLl0Al6Enrjx802YZ95GYc4k4Hrc0jLlwgV0Jnh2Ae6L7ctcpNd0be_m-nVoneIk/s400/IMG_5765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662000078564538178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fhDInKy2hHwk2Ym6wMDySPviBKfpiO6vdgSeoIXBdo40rn-5sx3910KKnILd_SWj9YiWX_KR2FsJ8_zv3cTQtCgI5i38kdluU8Qr_i4HaigkZ6zNA6FH9I17rYKrcSorkXXH3n88zOQ/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fhDInKy2hHwk2Ym6wMDySPviBKfpiO6vdgSeoIXBdo40rn-5sx3910KKnILd_SWj9YiWX_KR2FsJ8_zv3cTQtCgI5i38kdluU8Qr_i4HaigkZ6zNA6FH9I17rYKrcSorkXXH3n88zOQ/s400/IMG_5762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661999907488905074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwCAdAbI5hGglUP5ysBSvlohVmCecn53Im_fliw10DAFH6cScmYKlnsnqysEEfBEGIkt9zYSzVt_r0qAZ8L8EjrFZv0FOKnOGlDbRT16RpqCJicOuhtdHpRTOGBD9Sa9D-MQxAHc7tpM/s1600/IMG_5778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwCAdAbI5hGglUP5ysBSvlohVmCecn53Im_fliw10DAFH6cScmYKlnsnqysEEfBEGIkt9zYSzVt_r0qAZ8L8EjrFZv0FOKnOGlDbRT16RpqCJicOuhtdHpRTOGBD9Sa9D-MQxAHc7tpM/s400/IMG_5778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661999690994038834" border="0" /></a><br />Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdN-vkmI00dsueXGZGCltyXmhpFjdqWSXFH8Z7VNkMgDB_SvhBrJ6uLEX29-dSDHXvTtbY1tcFeFMcSPhR32oFobyF8jMVTqcjQDOmSaKsQx7GJLc7D7cMseU7UrHl2XIZaSEnZMyEZM/s1600/IMG_5760.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdN-vkmI00dsueXGZGCltyXmhpFjdqWSXFH8Z7VNkMgDB_SvhBrJ6uLEX29-dSDHXvTtbY1tcFeFMcSPhR32oFobyF8jMVTqcjQDOmSaKsQx7GJLc7D7cMseU7UrHl2XIZaSEnZMyEZM/s400/IMG_5760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661999440923373266" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-89077835472223179012011-10-08T10:49:00.009-05:002011-10-08T10:58:57.938-05:00Autumn Colours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XM-Ct1o9PkD2cLqhuzYkl4rnOSpIi02gqy-neS8SotAUU4d1j3_9Xr_NXSq4BzMD2Pf6cmk8Ce735-DlCahE1FQjKRFPhX9FNLrXof66ZV5VAnfolBee8u_w8hotZtHQbUz_nC0rChk/s1600/IMG_5746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XM-Ct1o9PkD2cLqhuzYkl4rnOSpIi02gqy-neS8SotAUU4d1j3_9Xr_NXSq4BzMD2Pf6cmk8Ce735-DlCahE1FQjKRFPhX9FNLrXof66ZV5VAnfolBee8u_w8hotZtHQbUz_nC0rChk/s400/IMG_5746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661150287043744578" border="0" /></a><br />I have a kind of love/hate relationship with Autumn. I love the season for itself, the colours, the smells and the crunch of dried leaves underfoot but at the same time I can't help but feel that it is a harbinger of doom. It indicates that very soon the temperatures will plummet to minus who-knows-what and we will be layered in ice and snow for months on end. That just takes the edge off all the beauty of Autumn for me unfortunately.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGTBqTlvtpYvB-ohqn6-O8snKs74ct4vqHWKp0nIUyR0Gpv8WcReLNfBx8r0of2NXztSyHyGKXrflpKHtrqVXJhAz4bauRLc952P4SlZ1iHrGPLptUI-h_vi5yuxSHCUnNZoD524EzbM/s1600/IMG_5737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGTBqTlvtpYvB-ohqn6-O8snKs74ct4vqHWKp0nIUyR0Gpv8WcReLNfBx8r0of2NXztSyHyGKXrflpKHtrqVXJhAz4bauRLc952P4SlZ1iHrGPLptUI-h_vi5yuxSHCUnNZoD524EzbM/s400/IMG_5737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661150083948217234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6Ns2valM_-fG6G5DX-72MY1fOZe5dzVHgHb5rVQ1lB6mBXjV9FHxMLqBY1qVf6b3HGoW-ZUUbd7xRPqbygRU89yNhKVJZagEuVE-8ZoJ5YtzInmlCb7SKb76NUAzS4Br_UzDr0jyqiI/s1600/IMG_5748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6Ns2valM_-fG6G5DX-72MY1fOZe5dzVHgHb5rVQ1lB6mBXjV9FHxMLqBY1qVf6b3HGoW-ZUUbd7xRPqbygRU89yNhKVJZagEuVE-8ZoJ5YtzInmlCb7SKb76NUAzS4Br_UzDr0jyqiI/s400/IMG_5748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661149775540676722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahXvuwAx9LySuYQDqPLiw67CyvAq2FJIm8jg07-jK1tJUzXjN15PDJen8p5yIhpK2yTZYp8A8ltZrtqc5RQzxkttE1MO1bROOtIpOrwodEiZAd7iMd-Ix6pyGkFByTVmHZhncGWFYbJs/s1600/IMG_5738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahXvuwAx9LySuYQDqPLiw67CyvAq2FJIm8jg07-jK1tJUzXjN15PDJen8p5yIhpK2yTZYp8A8ltZrtqc5RQzxkttE1MO1bROOtIpOrwodEiZAd7iMd-Ix6pyGkFByTVmHZhncGWFYbJs/s400/IMG_5738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661149520023677474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRPT93rymeDIw78rEBa8oik5wN5-KKJbTQtHMJlAniEhh1AVbUD3vkEZaeVmjbJKxYwz_QDiCgCJny8EWErto8fNGy8hWUY7xMXt9ZyrNznTggT7MXvgs-RZ1NfBtW9JQ_pZRW13FxQs/s1600/IMG_5720.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRPT93rymeDIw78rEBa8oik5wN5-KKJbTQtHMJlAniEhh1AVbUD3vkEZaeVmjbJKxYwz_QDiCgCJny8EWErto8fNGy8hWUY7xMXt9ZyrNznTggT7MXvgs-RZ1NfBtW9JQ_pZRW13FxQs/s400/IMG_5720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661149309909826690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXoyQ_dcRP0Dlei5QU73S5Guf-K02EJExa5uIU5ZXqPkhACjp6PxcweN6nY6_fBNtjG7GZatN-o-CJeNJ76pC8SkXFPKETpbi9LVD_XepDF9FYRh1cTMtM0HCuXhPUahyBfJqCwGGQfw/s1600/IMG_5727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXoyQ_dcRP0Dlei5QU73S5Guf-K02EJExa5uIU5ZXqPkhACjp6PxcweN6nY6_fBNtjG7GZatN-o-CJeNJ76pC8SkXFPKETpbi9LVD_XepDF9FYRh1cTMtM0HCuXhPUahyBfJqCwGGQfw/s400/IMG_5727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661149150567833810" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-49459835820559922192011-10-06T16:59:00.006-05:002011-10-06T17:07:30.323-05:00As Busy As A .......................<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6u1yq0TltZ-t0kKF-mOAYUHGg1akYBwmmauy4Dcnn3Xj8EkirWGjpWm5bHM3m-OPzg1q1-FlOy3uRVc45pU46D2FZHqm-uAwIyCIOuebYlMWMIp8UUMOjwQ-bUtXLv4LpJMvEyLb0wA/s1600/IMG_5717.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6u1yq0TltZ-t0kKF-mOAYUHGg1akYBwmmauy4Dcnn3Xj8EkirWGjpWm5bHM3m-OPzg1q1-FlOy3uRVc45pU46D2FZHqm-uAwIyCIOuebYlMWMIp8UUMOjwQ-bUtXLv4LpJMvEyLb0wA/s400/IMG_5717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660503095760136210" border="0" /></a><br />Well September may have been lousy but we are being blessed with a few beautiful autumn days now that October has arrived. The honey bees from our hives are certainly making the most of the sunshine and gathering the last of the years pollen to tide them through the long, cold months ahead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWmeqBLDWnQ7P4fLusL3NlQP09Y7M34mXsQjMkUD9lvrBKQUZJ0AEBnE_5SuxPS79wAvywEVCYrzWgCGfZ9COH-D49FeWMDVWgdqp7T5ntIA3LwEUbsQoMmnSVGvPPOnqOdTxkHkelaQ/s1600/IMG_5718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWmeqBLDWnQ7P4fLusL3NlQP09Y7M34mXsQjMkUD9lvrBKQUZJ0AEBnE_5SuxPS79wAvywEVCYrzWgCGfZ9COH-D49FeWMDVWgdqp7T5ntIA3LwEUbsQoMmnSVGvPPOnqOdTxkHkelaQ/s400/IMG_5718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660502915207049570" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgwrduyWH6DlyZQhTS7bTLYEO6jJo4Gmfv2anaf0onOSDaDFES_7xDz59vqWBu6Ppqwon9Dm3ZSR0nZmiLr80SFOGxvOCwIdopDOxpMrJPat7kiCChCMb2tOn9ve_-qpl_k4wht_Etg8/s1600/IMG_5716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgwrduyWH6DlyZQhTS7bTLYEO6jJo4Gmfv2anaf0onOSDaDFES_7xDz59vqWBu6Ppqwon9Dm3ZSR0nZmiLr80SFOGxvOCwIdopDOxpMrJPat7kiCChCMb2tOn9ve_-qpl_k4wht_Etg8/s400/IMG_5716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660503991015964642" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-1658010070042677892011-10-05T17:54:00.007-05:002011-10-05T18:13:16.474-05:00Changing Things UpI am amazed how many of my friends' blogs I have read recently who have either been considering no longer continuing their blog or just feel like they have nothing to say. What is going on? I have felt as if my blog has been in extended death throes for months now but rather than pull the trigger I have been trying to work out why I wasn't spending time blogging any more.<br />I have<a href="http://mkhanter.blogspot.com/"> another blog</a> which I thoroughly enjoy and, of course, there is also the dreaded facebook. So what gives? Why is 'the rambling' just not happening?<br />I think I have come up with a solution - I am always posting about work!!! All work and no play............. so a new leaf has been turned. I am going to try to do shorter posts, some photos of something that catches my eye, something that makes me smile during my day and leave it at that for a while. If this involves something at work then fine but we'll see.<br />And so with that in mind, today's post - fun with fungus.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5TxQASvQINxgW6whLYja8coype0Q1YQPXOsqdcobcBwEwiM0gP20iM5Cf4zDoQHQ6VGU5PTX9Od1XsSp4QywdttmxD-tIo8Iy8J_gxsipq0BCSssRe-lC5BJI6TEEKIy9wvdW8BREeU/s1600/IMG_5713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5TxQASvQINxgW6whLYja8coype0Q1YQPXOsqdcobcBwEwiM0gP20iM5Cf4zDoQHQ6VGU5PTX9Od1XsSp4QywdttmxD-tIo8Iy8J_gxsipq0BCSssRe-lC5BJI6TEEKIy9wvdW8BREeU/s400/IMG_5713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660149371651959186" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH58NPgH63Gb39SulPNlPywoGC8frXsnTX64kJWoXbGMttVWt0-azLm_zNe3fm4dz-0Rd9N28U6dxItRN311iIoy4Xi6KfhQlginwCATv8rlRdCe4GVsSIzkF5KvtZIbRIfZeEzKYZzQc/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH58NPgH63Gb39SulPNlPywoGC8frXsnTX64kJWoXbGMttVWt0-azLm_zNe3fm4dz-0Rd9N28U6dxItRN311iIoy4Xi6KfhQlginwCATv8rlRdCe4GVsSIzkF5KvtZIbRIfZeEzKYZzQc/s400/IMG_5708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660149034231219618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonNQpAGJ-F9QhGG9IUuJ-PoVReMavwkDix312-HZd358S5CGQ1aQQDyAv0OyAaOBpQjmLQzbHSOkN-08B7E521GSq6t8WKdKjLoEJHsAeTCIbZMhuONThl7AyRpJMVR3wBwBsnDzLtfk/s1600/IMG_5712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonNQpAGJ-F9QhGG9IUuJ-PoVReMavwkDix312-HZd358S5CGQ1aQQDyAv0OyAaOBpQjmLQzbHSOkN-08B7E521GSq6t8WKdKjLoEJHsAeTCIbZMhuONThl7AyRpJMVR3wBwBsnDzLtfk/s400/IMG_5712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660148781543996082" border="0" /></a>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-64597081229981444552011-08-01T14:55:00.017-05:002011-08-11T20:49:00.607-05:00Fun in the FieldSo it seems my resolution of trying to post every week has degenerated to the point where I post once a month! Oh well, it is better than nothing I suppose.
<br />We have been trying for several weeks to schedule our annual department field/collecting trip but it seemed every time we set a date the weather thwarted us. Firstly there were monsoon level thunderstorms, then there was excessive heat which our team member who harks from Alaska couldn't quite face, then there were various vacations to work round but finally, rather like the proverbial herding of cats we managed to all get together on the same day.
<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8kK8Q6f62JXkxpHnc5bifalAWKp6EusgdBjoGrrtj5XvJu0AXEZq0lkX-i4HSW8zeT69IOpHKra1GbBB_6OT_lznOeCspOmD-1QId9B2gJC5Ss-khb-lK9mwfjODAjVqXvM08ajMpIc/s1600/IMG_5512.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8kK8Q6f62JXkxpHnc5bifalAWKp6EusgdBjoGrrtj5XvJu0AXEZq0lkX-i4HSW8zeT69IOpHKra1GbBB_6OT_lznOeCspOmD-1QId9B2gJC5Ss-khb-lK9mwfjODAjVqXvM08ajMpIc/s400/IMG_5512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635978829531054690" border="0" /></a>
<br />The primary objective of the day was to collect some more native fish species to replenish our tanks, on display in the 'Riverworks' exhibit. This is most successfully done using a seine net to scoop the fish gently out without injuring them and then selecting the species we need from the net before releasing the rest.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrsaAkUE2nsp1IisBenf3kwnMzRtr851rB-cSXMVmfEdhdcQCNMLKNlWloiLWznaJYp6wgUpwNLIldrdS_N2UyKZFvEukrHqBaQyf40ogWdCJYlN34ho48Xwyx67vrQ6dwLZvr3Y5h0I/s1600/IMG_5539.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrsaAkUE2nsp1IisBenf3kwnMzRtr851rB-cSXMVmfEdhdcQCNMLKNlWloiLWznaJYp6wgUpwNLIldrdS_N2UyKZFvEukrHqBaQyf40ogWdCJYlN34ho48Xwyx67vrQ6dwLZvr3Y5h0I/s400/IMG_5539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635981764901970418" border="0" /></a>
<br />Another activity that I always encourage is the gathering of crayfish. There is a very aggressive invasive species throughout Illinois called the Rusty Crayfish which is out-competing many native species. We scoop up as many of these as we can because we have lots of aquatic turtles in our collections who like nothing more than hunting and eating crayfish! Boy did they get a big treat - a whole bucketload!
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZhuolIDiYmvEj6QNKxV3x1AGpS8V1qvr_pkB5pNxrelnBbbugxw73fSEZBk6Trsg9zSZpHLM18QXXuHhS1o4Jzv8F8u4NP7AoDfENytUTAQopn3nWpCGX0TVceSUH9QME1UNHKgYYc8/s1600/IMG_5518.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZhuolIDiYmvEj6QNKxV3x1AGpS8V1qvr_pkB5pNxrelnBbbugxw73fSEZBk6Trsg9zSZpHLM18QXXuHhS1o4Jzv8F8u4NP7AoDfENytUTAQopn3nWpCGX0TVceSUH9QME1UNHKgYYc8/s400/IMG_5518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635979251552969170" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />I have been particularly lucky to have some really fantastic interns this year so it's always a great pleasure to be able to give them the treat of a day out in the field. And as you can see they were extremely enthusiastic about joining in with whatever was going on.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixppv7JPQskNYzOZzZ3xHSHDukverhNp57fo9Tn5A1n6LWxL8nMaFjq4l2NE4TeQFoMyrrUnFso6_uHN7Fy4jmxndHLFeHiiFRtfMlo9vawpXaB1Eb8dABf5O-aPUtDo3dTtZjV5oPXUk/s1600/IMG_5521.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixppv7JPQskNYzOZzZ3xHSHDukverhNp57fo9Tn5A1n6LWxL8nMaFjq4l2NE4TeQFoMyrrUnFso6_uHN7Fy4jmxndHLFeHiiFRtfMlo9vawpXaB1Eb8dABf5O-aPUtDo3dTtZjV5oPXUk/s400/IMG_5521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635979917703313970" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is Alex proving that chest waders are optional!
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesYpHdZLXd6Bq_wdzBrM1eQBEztejslU-ECRGIzNo26KeVUt3SzirgDqA1N-51lLBUdZMf_S1PZUdMSZhrAMP3MHX0hCNVdVyrM20tEaIPwZwGFcbjsmgrq-29DmhavSE9e4OLiE_Dlo/s1600/IMG_5544.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesYpHdZLXd6Bq_wdzBrM1eQBEztejslU-ECRGIzNo26KeVUt3SzirgDqA1N-51lLBUdZMf_S1PZUdMSZhrAMP3MHX0hCNVdVyrM20tEaIPwZwGFcbjsmgrq-29DmhavSE9e4OLiE_Dlo/s400/IMG_5544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635982017859469090" border="0" /></a>
<br />And also proving that 'girls rock!!' Because Amy didn't feel the need for them either :)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyKHT84A40evCSMKxL4EQd-mR-KiSs6sEBboMiDbzpUH20dGMEYjDn0dQqiDUCFRU8nb2f6e1wIyoFL9w6FiaSsXmdDcyoDctyiZjqaXsd2XSTtjFXaSn3fVpFGYDLMQt1kvYHbcRPaM/s1600/IMG_5524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyKHT84A40evCSMKxL4EQd-mR-KiSs6sEBboMiDbzpUH20dGMEYjDn0dQqiDUCFRU8nb2f6e1wIyoFL9w6FiaSsXmdDcyoDctyiZjqaXsd2XSTtjFXaSn3fVpFGYDLMQt1kvYHbcRPaM/s400/IMG_5524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980142374714258" border="0" /></a>
<br />So who the ones wearing the waders? Our two male interns!!! YOU GO GIRLS!!
<br />It wasn't all water though. We did get the chance to see some beautiful butterflies mud-puddling along the shores of the river.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pjjBvCwm2MJAAyJDEp-NMwwT92CQDaBvSBoMTyFcr9lWk3t2OSyup0DS5pu4Y5xxu83Hdmcs4iqF-Ex0FoDsNEqSnfHrFcVdy14XJTxEz3u7HKC735TvMDW-vNSnHG5RtcIQ8J49szI/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pjjBvCwm2MJAAyJDEp-NMwwT92CQDaBvSBoMTyFcr9lWk3t2OSyup0DS5pu4Y5xxu83Hdmcs4iqF-Ex0FoDsNEqSnfHrFcVdy14XJTxEz3u7HKC735TvMDW-vNSnHG5RtcIQ8J49szI/s400/IMG_5529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980332480029986" border="0" /></a>
<br />These are Giant Swallowtails <span style="font-style: italic;">Papilio cresphontes
<br /></span>and this<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>is a Red-spotted Purple <span style="font-style: italic;">Limenitis arthemis astyanax
<br />
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkohIjCdyRWe4rkkYFg1dO1FC2DyINwp7ZdI4zsOF5jnWH2JILWiJoXVS28g202IzuC5d2L8uVmY87Z2RJP96Kv3-WJGdleiWKPh-V5I6JQcBkfH9XFXdZnyYxlnx8tNcz61KOTrTqjH4/s1600/IMG_5537.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkohIjCdyRWe4rkkYFg1dO1FC2DyINwp7ZdI4zsOF5jnWH2JILWiJoXVS28g202IzuC5d2L8uVmY87Z2RJP96Kv3-WJGdleiWKPh-V5I6JQcBkfH9XFXdZnyYxlnx8tNcz61KOTrTqjH4/s400/IMG_5537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635981351316010642" border="0" /></a>
<br />A little less flamboyant but no less beautiful is this Hackberry Emperor <span style="font-style: italic;">Asterocampa celtis. </span>Drove me crazy trying to get it to stay still enough for a photo though.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo9imaZSgNTSgB-tahgi3AiaUck1fW62jAO3F77Odxty2ohVGE6s61j4E_qj_ec3pVBt6qRsowyVM6dc23EuUX1TUzncvCRvMrjXPaRjq32swZgSEboQd7ybsQD9jdXfJaxJCATF2MzM/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo9imaZSgNTSgB-tahgi3AiaUck1fW62jAO3F77Odxty2ohVGE6s61j4E_qj_ec3pVBt6qRsowyVM6dc23EuUX1TUzncvCRvMrjXPaRjq32swZgSEboQd7ybsQD9jdXfJaxJCATF2MzM/s400/IMG_5532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980510852362642" border="0" /></a>
<br />And of course, the damselflies were not to be ignored either.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qXa6rDQzZVKblmPwAYUdLaTLFHvmF2ijb_hI_t10s5Sk6FwEwN99T_DEFy8h_Hd80fzjPQuOnxnj88AV7Xl9J2Q2W_yewHiSO0v4GEvCDFhknrLBiignVQ08SVXmqMO5ZDxDYJtZ_hg/s1600/IMG_5533.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qXa6rDQzZVKblmPwAYUdLaTLFHvmF2ijb_hI_t10s5Sk6FwEwN99T_DEFy8h_Hd80fzjPQuOnxnj88AV7Xl9J2Q2W_yewHiSO0v4GEvCDFhknrLBiignVQ08SVXmqMO5ZDxDYJtZ_hg/s400/IMG_5533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980743885086610" border="0" /></a>
<br />Another highlight of the day? I finally got to 'christen' my new wellies on their first ever field trip :)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6s5oulGBLLLDFUc3z9Pucn6JDinUVKyfppwywfNm9skFU3OvTmoWIqd1xCgdyqioXcr0L4PlHpIX7rVdOOs4bnlqlaQWrNivcKZBluY5oEYR29dkeip8bd11ZdDO8riCyh7g3JHPBLE/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6s5oulGBLLLDFUc3z9Pucn6JDinUVKyfppwywfNm9skFU3OvTmoWIqd1xCgdyqioXcr0L4PlHpIX7rVdOOs4bnlqlaQWrNivcKZBluY5oEYR29dkeip8bd11ZdDO8riCyh7g3JHPBLE/s400/IMG_5535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635981105280599266" border="0" /></a>
<br />What a great day. We all came home hot, sweaty, muddy, tired and happy. What more could we ask for?
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credits - CJT</span>
<br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947487286103310442.post-368269594540782642011-07-19T20:00:00.002-05:002011-07-19T20:04:27.987-05:00Sabino CanyonI downloaded these pictures over a month and a half ago and I never got round to finishing the post - what on earth possible excuse have I got for neglecting my blog for so long? Umm none really. Every time I had some free time I just didn't feel like sitting in front of a computer (I know, lame, but that's all I've got.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazkIAQ16RfvQTg62vvZZnR6oh6p8MxY6_vXiE_e3ttZIXATLu03tRZ0XJcDqOVuedxALwseUtyCfTwaewM1xtel3LZJ91oSn5G03vydwqgHVqi2YVIJmX0VsXpay7mRUeZ183L0_5JIo/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazkIAQ16RfvQTg62vvZZnR6oh6p8MxY6_vXiE_e3ttZIXATLu03tRZ0XJcDqOVuedxALwseUtyCfTwaewM1xtel3LZJ91oSn5G03vydwqgHVqi2YVIJmX0VsXpay7mRUeZ183L0_5JIo/s400/IMG_2816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775856586971266" border="0" /></a><br />Whenever we visit Arizona I have a little personal wishlist of animals I really want to see. Last time we were there I managed to see two that were really high on the list. We were visiting Sabino Canyon. I am not a big fan of hiking when it is hot so my husband had used the incentive of visiting the hummingbird monitoring site at the bottom of the valley to entice me. As we were heading out to it, this delightful little horned lizard scuttled across our path - check one! Somehow I had always thought they were bigger but I was quite entranced. It seemed as though he was so confident of his camouflage on the rocky ground that he just ignored us and went about his business which gave us a great opportunity to photograph him. However with the sun directly overhead and him being the same colour as his surroundings it was surprisingly difficult to get a good shot. Now I will have to pour over my reptile books and try to find out which species of horned lizard this is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3GzRUIFafPJzEGJJr3ARVStE317VlxPXE-h4Fpx8aEa_hZSTf2UdgB0K_nzYFLcHqtKVo85FQYqGrbSR7b7s8DKLbJ2PTeM62uBvOPq8DWGfTXBhn5AVDOenxz1fIM-UmYsIN0RuBI8/s1600/IMG_2819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3GzRUIFafPJzEGJJr3ARVStE317VlxPXE-h4Fpx8aEa_hZSTf2UdgB0K_nzYFLcHqtKVo85FQYqGrbSR7b7s8DKLbJ2PTeM62uBvOPq8DWGfTXBhn5AVDOenxz1fIM-UmYsIN0RuBI8/s400/IMG_2819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775679363342722" border="0" /></a>The very top of my wishlist, surprisingly wasn't a 'herp' but a mammal. I love pigs, always have and while this next character isn't actually a member of the pig family it bears enough of a resemblance to pigs to have won my heart. I have so wanted to see a Javelina and when we arrived at the hummingbird monitoring area there it was rooting about in the undergrowth! Perfect.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rY69yF3V7dzDSFTl-d2Vp1UPBOg130TUmyzkE8ISpV0XDEOQcRQFDbC_xGhyphenhyphengFXj2TuRdmRF96OEJd8Hc9EXxPxVHYZ4tTXq2jWB5rr4o8PTLYvYRbVLBCaxK9x-PvOqM2zZqWeKVyQ/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rY69yF3V7dzDSFTl-d2Vp1UPBOg130TUmyzkE8ISpV0XDEOQcRQFDbC_xGhyphenhyphengFXj2TuRdmRF96OEJd8Hc9EXxPxVHYZ4tTXq2jWB5rr4o8PTLYvYRbVLBCaxK9x-PvOqM2zZqWeKVyQ/s400/IMG_2821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775548936248898" border="0" /></a><br />Ironically the hummingbirds were a bit of a let-down because the only two species that I saw were the two I most commonly see at my own feeders and the light was nowhere near good enough to get decent pictures. (You'll have to visit <a href="http://mkhanter.blogspot.com/">my other blog</a> to see what they really look like.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish7j2_4izw4UXAJE9YJDuNedLWaU2raJF555N_GXVyvdRbqjeDp0FbMrniWUkXz_fe07Lz74__F_Rq7G-0QN96Lra9cIS9-WxeSiO48eCh0HbmU7aRvLapdxh0Ui2fqA3ApKQM5rAIls/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish7j2_4izw4UXAJE9YJDuNedLWaU2raJF555N_GXVyvdRbqjeDp0FbMrniWUkXz_fe07Lz74__F_Rq7G-0QN96Lra9cIS9-WxeSiO48eCh0HbmU7aRvLapdxh0Ui2fqA3ApKQM5rAIls/s400/IMG_2827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775239872768466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKSwRrgJycEBX8kuNSaiRqLVsz5Iw74Cd_keRI6arVljAyvAAqBc_zs_gyimVeDCdnJHDQDSVjZ2V2ovFzg90Q0KaXerB_hfZUh78w7CPBTwRwO1JmGkbUuKGryGp6MoElkN5FERScoI/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKSwRrgJycEBX8kuNSaiRqLVsz5Iw74Cd_keRI6arVljAyvAAqBc_zs_gyimVeDCdnJHDQDSVjZ2V2ovFzg90Q0KaXerB_hfZUh78w7CPBTwRwO1JmGkbUuKGryGp6MoElkN5FERScoI/s400/IMG_2830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775094937101650" border="0" /></a><br />However I was so delighted with the Javelina that it really didn't matter. The classification of the Javelina is that it belongs to the same order as pigs and even to the same sub-order but it is from the family Tayassuidae which is (ironically) the 'new world pigs!' Their outward appearance is obviously very 'pig like' even down to that lovely snuffly snout but the foot structure, digestive process and the dental structure distinguishes them from true pigs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx1oBVhM-7Oax2RQnveip8IpIGNJGsuLDk1GUuFiQgvmQXgOWldoji7ZBEvB4mfIPvGRcwmHOoFw4xXc-6MSnuFHjoXgVgybnGtzknFB0sJxQ4nUUbPXqETKgJI32k9ytYw4U__XAhuU/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx1oBVhM-7Oax2RQnveip8IpIGNJGsuLDk1GUuFiQgvmQXgOWldoji7ZBEvB4mfIPvGRcwmHOoFw4xXc-6MSnuFHjoXgVgybnGtzknFB0sJxQ4nUUbPXqETKgJI32k9ytYw4U__XAhuU/s400/IMG_2823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614775381912063490" border="0" /></a><br />By now it was really starting to warm up and most wildlife was very sensibly lying low and avoiding the heat, apart from the silly humans of course. The few exceptions were the endless array of beautiful lizards striking the pose as they thermoregulated on various rocks along our path. Again - one of these days I will get down to trying to work out the species of some of these but for now I just want to get this post out!<br />Check out the length of the toes on the hind feet of this guy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cMbuWXM93InMRrzIfjICmfIOMeFZg2CGm6fwXcuSHqNZeDnGcQcCmv0_cWK9ASKNaCy7Z54ZzINuO4mEL8rV6Fjj9cV8PBFr0HDjdMocRYcA19T03WeWH3dkXcPhdxLt1JBjc2hqz5Y/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cMbuWXM93InMRrzIfjICmfIOMeFZg2CGm6fwXcuSHqNZeDnGcQcCmv0_cWK9ASKNaCy7Z54ZzINuO4mEL8rV6Fjj9cV8PBFr0HDjdMocRYcA19T03WeWH3dkXcPhdxLt1JBjc2hqz5Y/s400/IMG_2834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614774936928701986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JrrpFwzZ8ysRJZeP2i_-CdjqRdxRIoo6A6Fosw5JPDDsUKec0nMfoF3LFxleK5tJzxpYmlyINLgMMlWS_1OcGuK1JBsOidj48r54SBcpNJJYtz-0l0y7yyWINm6UE7nPVixcNejIkeM/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JrrpFwzZ8ysRJZeP2i_-CdjqRdxRIoo6A6Fosw5JPDDsUKec0nMfoF3LFxleK5tJzxpYmlyINLgMMlWS_1OcGuK1JBsOidj48r54SBcpNJJYtz-0l0y7yyWINm6UE7nPVixcNejIkeM/s400/IMG_2835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614774731403570130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xxSIaivuotIQg105j3vGDkfq6Ams76Vu5PpZaE8DQENUtv1waZ9WBA3bFaAsbVq36OBdzRbWW_WnSXGCw6njjVNMDkXG3M2E1Wzcwc4QMT-j-_gkczmMa-G9xKWbH1Xx4B9Ts0ZzQ8A/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xxSIaivuotIQg105j3vGDkfq6Ams76Vu5PpZaE8DQENUtv1waZ9WBA3bFaAsbVq36OBdzRbWW_WnSXGCw6njjVNMDkXG3M2E1Wzcwc4QMT-j-_gkczmMa-G9xKWbH1Xx4B9Ts0ZzQ8A/s400/IMG_2836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614774474239814658" border="0" /></a><br />Eventually even the lizards realised that it was too hot to be out in the sun and as they disappeared into the undergrowth we made our way back to the car and to a long, cold and much needed, drink. But hey - I got to see two new species on my wishlist so the sweating was worth it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credits - CJT & DominickV</span>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08859219574207467462noreply@blogger.com7