Ostriches

 We went to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich ranch and had a blast feeding and petting the collection of animals.  The last time we went was at least five years ago.

One of these ostriches grabbed the back of Dave's eyeglass holders after this photo was taken.

Christmas in Tucson

Typical Christmas morning in Tucson!

And a Peppermint Cheesecake for the Christmas dinner finale!

 

Golf Cart Parade 2022

 Our first activity of season 9 - The Golf Cart Parade.  There were at least 70 entries.  It's so fun to walk amongst the carts, while it's still light, and see all the work put into the decorating.  Some even play Christmas songs, lights flash on others, and two women playing the accordians!  Very festive.

And the sunset was sensational, too.

Owlet season

Babies hatching and flowers blooming.  Our last two weeks here are full of activity at the "Brooke".

These babes are on a post that is sort of under an overpass.  This is how I am able to stand above the nest and see what's happening down below.

This is their mother nearby.

At the compound we know of two nests with babes.  This one is close to the clubhouse and I could see three owlets.  Too many branches and leaves make for not great photos.  I'll keep visiting to see if the owlets get big enough to wander onto some branches.

 

Morning bird activity

The next three days will be over 90 degrees so we started on a very early morning bird hunting walk.  We found all the usual suspects.

 

Catalina State Park

The hiking club had their annual picnic at this state park.  We went early and did about a two mile easy hike to see if any wildflowers were blooming.  Nothing much yet.  But the Saguaros still look great.

 

More birding

Went to a birding lecture yesterday.  There was some good information.  Now I may look into getting a stronger set of binoculars.  This afternoon I found some typical birds on a quick walk from my house.

Female Vermillion Flycatcher

Male Vermillion Flycatcher

Gambel's Quail

 

Flycatcher

Just a morning shot of one of our favorite Arizona birds - the Vermillion Flycatcher.

Now that we are into warm weather I can really see a difference in animal activity.  The birds are much livelier.  The owls are tending to their owlets.  Yesterday I saw a coyote with a packrat in his mouth.  A few minutes later there was a hawk with a packrat in its mouth.  So the animals are all out now.

 

Morning Walk

Today is going to be about 80 and the wildlife is active.  Here is a cactus wren on a Cholla.  The camera focused on the plant rather than the bird, but it's still kind of a neat photo.

Some blossoms with the Catalina mountains in the background.

This neighbor, across the street, seems to have turned her home into a church.  Angels everywhere!

 

Pickleball status

It's hard to tell in this photo, but this court has shut down due to construction of the eight new courts.  In this photo there are actually ropes holding the side walls together so they don't fall over.  A few more months and the new courts will be done.

While playing yesterday with a man named Bob, he told me his bunions were hurting him and that's why he couldn't run very well.  You hear about a lot of medical problems when playing Pickleball.

 

Tucson

In central Tucson there is neighborhood park called Himmel Park.  It has a sensational mural along one wall.  Tucson has over 50 murals around the city and is getting known for the art.  This one was a fun one to see.

We met with our Canadian friends and had dinner at the Polish Cottage.  We have been here before and love the authentic Polish food and the charming restaurant.