Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Spring is In the Air

 

We’re down to our last 9 days here at McDowell Mountain Park.

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All of the rainfall this winter is making it a good year for flowers and turning the brown desert green. These were found along the Scenic Trail.

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We’ve hiked this beautiful trail many times over the years.

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But just last week we spotted a saguaro that looked a bit odd.

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A closer look revealed it was a crested or cristate saguaro that we had always missed seeing along the trail.

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We taken several hikes on the Bluff trail, which is also a nice trail to bike on. There was a fire in this part of the park back in 1995, which is why there are so few saguaros.

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Jim and Ellen taking a little break.

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We’ve had a lot of activity at our site. The woodpeckers find creative ways to drink.

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A couple of javelinas stopped by for a nice breakfast of grass the other morning. One of the camp hosts said they haven’t seen javelina in the campground for a few years.

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I tried to quietly open the window to get some better photos but they ran off when they heard me.

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We have a huge palo verde tree at our current site that is home to a very small nest.

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This cute little hummingbird spends most of her time there. It’s too high for us to see how many eggs are in it but they usually lay one or two.

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I read that the female not only sits on the eggs, but she also builds the nest and takes care of the babies without any help from the male. Hmm, now that doesn’t sound right!

Hope the chicks will hatch over the next week.

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We have company coming this week and next, a couple of appointments, and two more work days at Fearless Kitty before we leave. It’s been a good winter.

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22 comments:

  1. Loved the pictures. Thanks for posting them. Good luck on the traveling. I pull out in the morning for ???????

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    1. We know the feeling of indecision well. I just came up with a loose plan of where we're going when we leave here next week.

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  2. Looking forward to our visit starting March 7th. Good Hiking and Biking in the desert and some tasty IPA's in the afternoon. Doesn't get much better than that! :-)

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  3. Love the hummingbird and nest. I have had hummers every season but have never been fortunate enough to see a nest. I hope you will be able to see the babies before you leave!! You are the second person that I read that mentioned the greenery in the desert. It sure is pretty!!

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    1. If the chicks hatch in the next week I will definitely post photos!

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    2. Great!! Would love to see them!!

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  4. Oh how I love seeing the desert come alive. You took some gorgeous photos.
    I hope we can see a javelina in the wild.
    Where are you two moving to?

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  5. I'm excited to return to the desert just in time for her to bloom. How lucky to see the javelina and capture a photo.

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  6. Nice hummer nest. It will always be "paleo verde" to me. ;-)

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  7. Love that beautiful crested arm!! The desert is beginning to bloom and I love it:) How cool to have the javelina right near by. Your final photo is gorgeous!!!

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    1. Thanks, look forward to finally meeting you two!

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    2. Yes, we are very much looking forward to our meeting...fianlly:)

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  8. LOVE how green everything is! Can't wait to see you guys!

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    1. Look forward to your visit, and we are also finally going to meet up with John and Pam if all goes as planned.

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  9. We'll be heading your way Friday or Saturday; supposed to get into the 80's down here so time to migrate north :) Hans says he's "buying the beer." :))
    mark and bj

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    1. Alex and Ellen arrived in overflow yesterday and will be here for a week. Looks like lots of happy hours during our last week here!

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  10. Looks like the flower season is getting a great start. Always such fun to see the desert in color.

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  11. Some really wonderful pictures of your last days there. How beautiful the desert is in bloom. Love your hummingbird picture and the great woodpecker ones. Javalinas well, they aren't quite as cute.

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  12. I love the delicate poppies this year - so pretty. Your little hummer in her nest is wonderful. What a treat. And a new crested!!! Enjoy your last days at McDowell.

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  13. Jojoba is very colorful right now, with everything in full bloom. I love watching the javelina. We always had a large family of them who traveled through our wash when we lived in Sedona.

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  14. Very cool you found a cristate. The desert sure responds with a show from all the rain. Plus draws in the wildlife. Spring seems early.

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