In the present day is all pictures from our journey to Arizona. We simply obtained again, and it was good to be in my residence state for a go to. I admit to not eager to dwell within the desert any extra (too many thorns, too sizzling in summer time, too little inexperienced), however there’s nothing like going again to the place you have been raised.
There’s one thing magical concerning the desert, together with the beautiful sunsets and the rock formations. Right here’s a basic pile of boulders exterior of Carefree, AZ within the night, with an enormous metallic sculpture of a fowl perched on prime.
The realm north of Phoenix and Scottsdale is a riot of rock formations, together with this huge one, the scale of our barn, that fell from a cliff on the opposite aspect of the highway.
Right here’s a rock formation, referred to as a Hoodoo (and who couldn’t love that identify?), on the spectacular drive to Mt. Lemmon, north of Tucson.
Being in Tuscon for the second half of our journey allowed us to go to, twice, one among my favourite locations on this planet, The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, a botanical park, zoological park, and academic extravaganza concerning the superb lifetime of the Sonora Desert.
You gained’t be shocked to listen to that the spotlight for me was the Raptor Free Flight present. They do a improbable job, utilizing birds skilled to fly free however go to perches on cue–handler’s arms or useless snags–only a few ft away from us. They usually flew solely inches over our heads to go from perch to perch. I’m reminded of the work completed at Pure Encounters in Florida the place a number of of us have been fortunate to spend every week with Steve Martin, and Dr. Susan Friedman of Conduct Works, probably the greatest behaviorists within the enterprise.
This work is 100% pushed by the animals: In the event that they don’t need to work, oh nicely. And if the Ravens on the AZ Desert Sonora Museum determined they don’t need to return of their cages, then we have been warned we’d all stand there till they did. Thus, the repeated warnings to not let a speck of meals in sight when the ravens have been out. Apparently one incident saved the spectators out for hours. Birds 1. People 0.
All of the spectators at our go to have been obedient, and the 2 ravens quickly left to offer approach to my new favourite fowl in the complete world, the Nice Horned Owl:
I’ve seen a variety of owls, however normally perched in a tree, wings folded, eyes perhaps or perhaps not shut. However I’ve by no means seen one fly a couple of inches from my head. This one surprised us all along with her magnificence.
The AZ SDM can be a wonderful botanical backyard, right here’s a small piece of the cactus backyard:
I like how they present guests what the cactus blooms appear to be when they’re out. Cactus flowers and fruit are such an vital a part of the ecosystem for every thing/one who lives there, together with a number of tribes of Native People.
Under is a Crested Caracara, a uncommon fowl in america, who, in line with Cornell, “appears to be like like a hawk with its sharp beak and talons, behaves like a vulture . . .”. Take a look at the solar shining on it’s main feathers and tail! So beautiful.
Right here it’s from the entrance:
For those who’re not too uninterested in birds, let me introduce a pair of Harris Hawks, the rock star performers who closed the present. Harris Hawks usually hunt like wolves–going after prey too giant for any one among them, strategically surrounding prey, like hares, as a gaggle. Additionally they spend a variety of time on the bottom, in contrast to most hawks. Beautiful, hey?
This, by the way in which, is what you see when one flies over you:
In fact, I missed the cash shot, however 1) it occurred too quick, and a pair of) we weren’t allowed to boost our cameras over our head. However my mind recorded it, and having a hawk fly just about straight at my face is now one among my many highlights of life.
I’ll publish some extra pictures from AZ subsequent time, however for now, we’re hunkered in on that first day residence–unpacking, laundry, mail–you understand the drill. As illustrated by Maggie, the canine are apparently exhausted from our journey, which they didn’t go on.
Right here’s to being gone on an journey, and being residence, and residing via the airports in between. I hope you had week and aren’t struggling an excessive amount of from ice, snow, rain, floods, tornadoes, wind . . . We’re fortunate right here, obtained six plus inches of snow this weekend, and now a tad chilly (Zero F as I publish this), however nothing like what’s been happening in the remainder of the nation. Be nicely everybody, and inform us what you’ve been doing; you understand we’d love to listen to.
