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As we speak is all images from our journey to Arizona. We simply acquired again, and it was good to be in my house state for a go to. I admit to not eager to dwell within the desert any extra (too many thorns, too sizzling in summer season, too little inexperienced), however there’s nothing like going again to the place you have been raised.
There’s one thing magical in regards to the desert, together with the beautiful sunsets and the rock formations. Right here’s a traditional pile of boulders exterior of Carefree, AZ within the night, with an enormous steel sculpture of a chicken perched on high.
The realm north of Phoenix and Scottsdale is a riot of rock formations, together with this large one, the dimensions of our barn, that fell from a cliff on the opposite facet of the street.
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 the planet, The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, a botanical park, zoological park, and academic extravaganza in regards to the wonderful 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 implausible job, utilizing birds educated to fly free however go to perches on cue–handler’s arms or lifeless snags–only a few toes away from us. They typically flew solely inches over our heads to go from perch to perch. I’m reminded of the work carried out at Pure Encounters in Florida the place a number of of us have been fortunate to spend per week with Steve Martin, and Dr. Susan Friedman of Habits Works, probably the greatest behaviorists within the enterprise.
This work is 100% pushed by the animals: In the event that they don’t wish to work, oh effectively. And if the Ravens on the AZ Desert Sonora Museum determined they don’t wish 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 present method to my new favourite chicken in your entire world, the Nice Horned Owl:
I’ve seen loads 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 shocked us all together with her magnificence.
The AZ SDM can also be a superb 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 necessary a part of the ecosystem for every little thing/one who lives there, together with a number of tribes of Native People.
Beneath is a Crested Caracara, a uncommon chicken in the US, who, based on Cornell, “appears 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:
If you happen to’re not too uninterested in birds, let me introduce a pair of Harris Hawks, the rock star performers who closed the present. Harris Hawks typically hunt like wolves–going after prey too giant for any one among them, strategically surrounding prey, like hares, as a bunch. Additionally they spend loads of time on the bottom, in contrast to most hawks. Beautiful, hey?
This, by the best way, is what you see when one flies over you:
After all, 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 submit some extra images from AZ subsequent time, however for now, we’re hunkered in on that first day house–unpacking, laundry, mail–you understand the drill. As illustrated by Maggie, the canines are apparently exhausted from our journey, which they didn’t go on.
Right here’s to being gone on an journey, and being house, and residing by means of the airports in between. I hope you had a very good week and are usually not struggling an excessive amount of from ice, snow, rain, floods, tornadoes, wind . . . We’re fortunate right here, acquired six plus inches of snow this weekend, and now a tad chilly (Zero F as I submit this), however nothing like what’s been happening in the remainder of the nation. Be effectively everybody, and inform us what you’ve been doing; you understand we’d love to listen to.
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