Blogs from Green Valley, Arizona, United States, North America

Today was dry. Yeah. We said good morning to a passel of 10 Gambrel Quail in our garden, and then we were off to Patagonia, a community very near the border with Mexico, along the Sonoita Creek. Paton’s Hummingbird Center is there, and that was our first stop. BTW, Tucson is about 2300’ elevation, Patagonia is 4000 (and Madera Canyon about 5000 the other day). Elevation really affects the varieties. Actually there are only 2 types of hummers here now, the tiny broadbill and the violet-crowned Hummingbiards. Staff had taken down all the seed feeders (!) because of increasing avian flu, but there were still birds in the pecan trees and shrubs. We learned about the symbiotic relationship between the Gila woodpeckers and Ladder-backed woodpeckers with the pine siskins. The woodpeckers broke open the pecan pods, ... read more

This is one of the best areas in the US for birding. Although we visited here during the winter, we found many interesting birds.... read more

Day 143 Many of our adventures since leaving the condo have had to do with weather - wind, rain and snow. We arrived in Catalina Mountain State Park on the 18th. This is one of our most favorite parks, the views are wonderful and the hikes in the mountains are a challenge for us. This is also the park that we got stranded in 2 years ago when the only road in was covered in mud and sand when the snow melted in the mountains and the wash over the road ran like a river. Would history repeat itself?? Of course!!!! We left the nice cozy condo on the hill to park our camper at the base of Santa Catalina Mountains when the worst storm in many years was about to hit the Tucson area. ... read more

Found a great way from GV to SEA... via NV and Bend OR.. great trip!!... read more

The kitties........I do not think that they slept all night but they were pretty quiet for the most part. At first they were crying and scratching at the door, but then settled down. I had to use the facilities and every time I went in, they were ready to escape. We at least got some sleep w/o out the kitty gymnastics!!!! I let them out about 6 am and they were very happy. As we were getting ready to vacate the room, we noticed that Misty was really crying a lot. Then we realized that Jazzy was NOT around. I got out the "treats" which always brings Jazzy out! Nothing. All we could imagine is that she slipped out while we were putting things in the truck. Usually if the girls slip out, they never go ... read more