Critters after the rain
This year’s monsoon in Arizona has been wonderful for plants and critters. The great plant growth allowed for successful reproduction and survivorship of white-lined Sphinx moths (family Sphingidae) also called hawk moth or hummingbird moth because of its hovering, swift
Wonderful morning on Canyon Lake, AZ
It has been long overdue and today it turned into reality: we finally went on a boat tour on Canyon Lake with our friend Robert. Diane and Alan were at our house at 3am and just before 4am we pulled
Kayaking after 40 years…
A few weeks ago Marco learned from friends that there are beavers up at a lake about 90 minutes away. However, one has to be there early and has to get on the lake by a kayak. Robert, who discovered
Surprising visitor
When I was out in our yard with Gizmo after dinner last night he suddenly showed interest in something in the wash right outside of our back yard. I went over and saw a Gila monster. I called Marco and
Birding Weekend
Last Saturday and Sunday we drove South to the Santa Cruz Flats to shoot some birds – one reason to drive to the Flats always is the Caracaras that can be found there – another reason is that we discovered
Winter Wonderland in the Desert
After months of no appreciable rainfall, the Phoenix metropolitan area finally received a variety pack of precipitation over the last several days: Rain, hail, snow and something called graupel fell over different parts of the Valley depending on the elevation.
Urban Coyotes
For the last few weeks we have been watching a pack of coyotes at the Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler, AZ. It is interesting to see how they live in such proximity to people and their pets without attacking them
Happy Holidays
What a year to look back to! It didn’t take long for things to get “uneasy” after the holidays last year. I’m not sure what was first but Corona became a topic quite early in the year and sadly our
Fall has arrived in Arizona
It is already late in the year, but because it has been such a warm summer and fall, we can expect to still see some fall colors up in the mountains. Since we have hardly any aspens or oak trees
A few days in Page, AZ
Despite the Corona virus we decide that we need a break and that a few days away from the Valley would do us good. Marco and Alan are making plans to go up to Page, where Alan and Diane have
AZ Bush Fire
On Saturday, June 13th a car caught fire on the HWY 87 just outside of town and only a few miles away from our new home. The driver pulled over and the fire quickly jumped over to the brush and
Happy Holidays
The years are flying by, we don’t even notice it. It’s only when we stop and reflect that we realize how much (or how little) has happened in the past 12 months. Picking up from our last year’s Christmas greetings, I