Getting Warm

I hope that my friends will take this not as a chance to gloat, but rather to entice all of you to visit Arizona in the near future.  I know that when Phoenix is 110 for weeks, it is not pleasant.  But 75 in January?  What's not to like?  Sedona has 4 distinct seasons - a few chilly winter days (and even some occasional, short-lived snow), spectacular spring with wildflowers in bloom, a warm/hot summer with very little humidity (and not the extreme heat of the Phoenix area), more flowers and cacti in bloom, and an autumn that can rival any in the midwest.  Yes, we have deciduous trees here, including maples and oaks that blaze against the azure autumn sky.  Convinced?  I hope so!

My visit on Saturday to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix did not disappoint.   It is an amazing place, with more types of cacti than I knew existed on earth.  There were a few things in bloom, such as the Fairy Duster (native) and Aloe shown here:

Fairy Duster

Aloe (not sure which type)

The state bird of Arizona, the Cactus Wren, shown here atop his spiny perch:

 There are several types of Cholla cacti here, and I think this one is Silver Cholla - I love the way the sun is shining through the spines:

This little Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel is one of many critters who inhabit the Sonoran Desert:

These little guys burrow in loose soil under Mesquite trees and Creosote bushes.  They are omnivores who eat green vegetation and insects.

A few years ago, there was a phenomenal exibit in the garden of sculptures by Dale Chihuly.  It was one of my all-time favorite exhibits ever.  I've long been a fan of his work, and seeing  these specactular pieces in the desert environment was a feast for the senses.  I was lucky enough to see it under the bright AZ sky, and again at night when the pieces were aglow under the stars.  This piece is one of 3 (all similar, different sizes) that are on permanent exhibit at the garden.  They catch the sun and explode with light.

  Desert Tower (one of 3) by Dale Chihuly

I hope I've made my case for all of you to head to the southwest.  Although the house will be a "work in progress" for a while, the casita is here and ready for guests!

Getting Busted

Busted up, that is.  The last few days have been hard, literally, on my butt!  I slipped and fell in the yard of the new house - guess a loose rock just jumped up and tripped me.  Ouch.  Despite fabulous t-shirt weather here in town, winter is still very much in evidence in Oak Creek Canyon.  While attempting to hike up at West Fork there yesterday, I fell twice.  The trail was snow covered but seemed crunchy enough for traction.  NOT.  About 2 minutes in, bam, on the ground.  Ouch again.  After the very precarious first creek crossing, I spotted a cute snowman built along the creek.  On my way for a better look and a photo, bam, down I went again.  Both of these falls were on level ground!  This fall was by far the worst.  What does it  mean when you land on your ass so hard that you get a headache?

Upon reaching the 2nd creek crossing, I realized my trail had ended for the day.  The rocks were covered with ice, and one skinny, snow-covered log was not going to serve as a bridge.  I did wander around a while to take some photos (none of which turned out very well), and I reluctantly headed back to the car.

We've been having a great time at the new house - planning and getting ideas for redecorating.  Yesterday, I pulled up all of the tragically teal carpeting in the living room.  Wow, even the bare padding is an improvement!  Our first project will be to update the kitchen - new appliances, countertops and paint.  A bit overwhelming with so many decisions to make, but it will all come together eventually.

OK, I am so over getting chickens!  I started cleaning the chicken coop and wondered why that ever sounded like a good idea.  Heck, I don't even like eggs.  With a lot more cleaning and sanitizing, I plan to convert the coop into a potting shed.  I'm excited about working on the yard and getting some great native plantings in, and it will be fun to have my own little work-shed.  There were many birds around - Juniper Titmice, Canyon Towhee, Western Bluebirds...and this bird nerd can hardly wait to get the feeders set up and the binoculars ready.

The house is officially ours - Ken took his first nap there today, in an old hammock left by the previous owner.  Proof that it is meant to be!

I'm sorry for everyone stuck in the IL deep-freeze this week.  Below zero temps, wind chills even worse - any wonder why we can't wait to move to Sedona?   And we hope we'll have many visitors!

Getting Back on the Trail

After 3 months of sloth and gluttony, I have broken the spell!  Have walked the Great Western trail the last 5 days in a row.  Yahoo!  Feels great to be out in the cold, fresh air.

Two days in a row, Marcia and I enjoyed great views of a male Belted Kingfisher.  What a beautiful bird!  He flitted from tree to tree along the creek.  We were disappointed not to see him actually fishing, but did see him once with a small fish in his beak.  Cool!  We'll be watching and listening for him.  The pic below is from Google - wish I could take credit for it...

Amy and I enjoyed a wonderful walk on this beautiful Sunday.  About 28 degrees, bright sunshine, and no wind.  Perfect!  Amy made a great discovery - beavers are back!  A few years ago, we would regularly see signs of them, and even saw the critters on a moonlit night hike.  They "disappeared" some time back and we were sad to no longer see them.

Today, Amy spotted some lodges in a marshy area south of the trail.  And then, just below us off-trail, 3 trees that had been chewed!  We made our way down the slope - a true nature nerd does not mind getting caught on thorns, slapped by brarnches, slipping and sliding down a brush-covered slope.  Well, maybe we mind a little...

Using my phone, I got these 2 pics of the "evidence."

There were many tracks around the trees, and on the snow leading to the lodges.  However, I think the slightly warmer temps melted some of the snow, distorting the tracks.  I think this might be a hind foot, but it was hard to tell.  Will be watching for fresh tracks next time we get snow!

We also saw some pheasant tracks, 2 deer, and lots of deer, bunny and squirrel tracks.  A great thing about a dusting of snow - everyone leaves evidence!

Getting Creative

First Annual Pod Party!

                                                              The entries

Never underestimate the creativity (or competitive nature) of a group of nature nerds!  When the "pod contest" idea first came up, talk was of day-glo paint and glitter.  I thought I was being clever by using pipe cleaners...I never could have imagined the amazing works of art that would be the result! 

Thanks to all of you who joined in the fun - pod-ders, delicious treat and wine bringers, all so generous!  It was an evening of good fun and good food, shared among beautiful friends.  Marcia and Tracy, we missed you both and were very sorry you were unable to join us.  But, there is always next year!  (See below.)

Here is the official declaration, by popular vote, Pod Queen Kim H!  Congratulations, Kim!  You certainly earned it with your amazingly decorated basket.  Kim proudly wore her Pod Tiara, and realized that with royalty comes responsibility - it is her turn to host the party next year, and to come up with the contest idea.

The winning creation!

HRH PQ Kim

The voting was tied for  Pod Princess, so we made one designate as Pod Princess and one as Pod Duchess.  Newly honored Pod Princess is Lorayne, who earned her honor with her amazing bird creation.   (Sorry the photo does not show its beauty...)  Incredible detail and use of many natural touches made Lorayne's bird a sight to behold (is a pod in the hand worth two in the bush?). 

Congratulations, Princess Lorayne!

Our new Pod Duchess is none other than Alison, whose graceful Pod Shrine was also very popular - despite the fact that some of us (duh!) did not immediately pick up on its graceful representation.  Beautiful!

Duchess Alison's Pod Shrine

As for the non-royal entries, they included Marcia's lovely pod ornaments:  two smaller single pods, and a very pretty pod angel.  Even though she was too sick to attend the event, Marcia's pods were delivered by her lovely daughter Kylee.  A true competitor!

Marcia's pretty pod ornaments

Using the aforementioned pipe cleaners and other silliness, Kim G. created a collection of "critter-pods."  Most were plays on words, but the bird pod is, for now, nameless.  If anyone has a suggestion, please advise.

Clockwise from upper left:  Octopod, 7 Pods-a-Swimming, Arachnopod, Centipod, part of the un-named bird pod, Tripod, Eyepod, Pea Pod.

The Queen & her court:

commoner Kim G, commoner Carol, Queen Kim H,

Duchess Alison, commoner Sarah, Princess Lorayne









Getting Hungry

Lots of activity at our feeders, as birds (and the shrew) fill their bellies with winter sustenance.  This beautiful Cooper's Hawk has been stalking near our feeders, especially since the shrew showed up.  She (I think it's a female, due to her  large size) has been quite close to the house at times.   Look at those talons!  Run, shrew, run for your life!

Getting Shrew-d

Not a great photo, but this is a little Northern Short-Tailed Shrew.  He was very busy under our bird feeders on Thursday morning.  Was in an eating frenzy for a few seconds, and would dive back under the snow.  He would pop up from another spot, resume eating, repeat.  Reminded me of that "whack-a-mole" game, but my critter-expert friend Pam informed me that moles don't pop up/down that way...This little guy was kind of cute, about 4" long with a long nose and big pink feet.  First one I've ever seen, and I'll be watching for him as winter goes on.

Getting Those Seeds Mixed

The Masked (and one unknown, unmasked) Marvels in the seed mixing barn:  ?, David, Sarah, Alison & Kim.  On
Dec. 3,  the Forest Preserve seed team mixed seeds collected during the season.  The seeds have been processed and are combined for future use in area preserves.  They are sorted and combined according to types of seed and environment (woodland, wetland, prairie, etc).  We all enjoy this event at the end of harvest season - it smells great and is good to see what's been collected.  There is often a lot of dust/pollen, hence the stylish masks.

Afterwards, we celebrated with a potluck that is always delicious and bountiful.  It was a great chance to chat and laugh with fellow team members, pick on Pete, and initiate our new volunteer coordinator, Robb, into the abuse.  He realized he was better off sitting alone on the couch!  Welcome to the group, Robb!




A sampling of the lunch menu



A sampling of the dessert menu!

Burning the milkweed fluff

Feasting!  Sarah, Kim, Ben, Pete, Amy & Alison

It was great to see everyone and enjoy another fun gathering.  By the way, the 1st Annual Milkweed Pod Craft Competition is ON. 

Happy Holidays, Everyone!