On the nest

Two and a half miles east of Quitobaquito on the South Puerto Blanco Road is a tall Saguaro with a nest.



If you stop to look, you will see that it is occupied.  Someone is sitting on the nest even in these warm days so there must be eggs.



What is it?  Much discussion has been had among rangers and volunteers about the identification of the bird. 

Large bird.  Large ears sticking up.




Some say a Long Eared Owl





Some say a Great Horned Owl.



Could be either one.  What do you think?

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma    Different names for the same animal.  All of them are rarely seen.  Before last Tuesday, I had never seen one.  Then, at 11am on Hwy 85 just before exiting the monument, a mountain lion bounded across the road in front of the truck.  It took three bounds to clear the distance from the left side of the road to the bushes on the right.  It happened so fast that I only got a short imagine of it.  In fact I only remember the front half.  I initially thought it was a bobcat because they have been seen this year and it was about that size.  But I remember the head and it did not have fur tufts on it's ears and it was solid tawny brown.  He was there and gone like the wind.
   "Did you see that? !!!"' I yelled to R.  "See what?', was her reply.  She had been looking elsewhere, searching for buds on the Saguaros and there are a few.  (see previous entries)  But the key item was that she did not see this wonderful creature. I have downloaded this photo to show you what I saw.  Seeing animals on TV or in zoos is one thing.  Seeing them in person, in their environment, is totally another.

Friends

These are a pair of Turkey Vultures.  They are one of our favorite birds.  R and I do an evening program about vultures and have learned a great deal about them.  They are very important creatures because they remove dead animals that would cause diseases in animals and man.  

Next time you see a vulture sitting on a roadkill, tell it, "Thank you for being that clean up crew."

The first Saguaro blooms

Yesterday we heard from a visitor that they saw a Saguaro that had started to bloom.  I knew which one it was because it always is one of the first to show off.  Almost immediately, Lee and I walked out to get a closer look.  And here you see what we saw.  These three blooms came out last night and will be gone by early afternoon.  Tomorrow a few more will bloom and so it goes until all of the buds have opened.  The Saguaro flower show will build and build until the entire dessert is filled with blooms.  With the Organ Pipes and Saguaros and all the other cacti,

April will be spectacular!

What's blooming

The heat has come up this week.  We are seeing temps in the low 90's.  it is bringing the flowers to bloom early.  Here are some.



Flowers on the blue Palo Verde





 
 The Rare Acuna Cactus

The Hedgehog Cacti are exploding !

Tuesday Night Supper

Tuesday night is the night we get together for supper.  It's not a pot luck, but rather a time to bring your own fare, whether it be a salad or spaghetti, and eat it with friends.  We talk business ( the park activities), we joke, we talk politics, we tell stories, we laugh, we just enjoy each others company.  It is one of the reasons that R and I volunteer; for the relationships that we have built here and at other places we been.

Desert Bighorns

Yuma

Went to Yuma for two days.  Left here Sunday mid-morning and arrived in Yuma about 3pm; just in time to check in at the motel.  Stopped on the way at Painted Rocks an area managed by BLM.  The site has many petroglyphs on it and a rather nice camping area.


We hung out there for an hour or so and then continued on to Yuma.   A lot of folks spend their winters in the area.  It's a warm spot and close to Mexico if you want to get your teeth worked on or new glasses. If so, Algondones, Mexico is the place to go. 

Beware of the Ides of March

   Quiet day.  Our first day off is always this way.  Last night I gave my evening program at the campground amphitheater.  93 attended.  I compare the Sonoran Desert Tortoise to an RV.  It's a fun program to share with our visitors and they seem to enjoy it.
  
    The weather has been nice and warm.  84 today, cooler later this week.  Lots of sun this time of year.

   Our visitors are enjoying the weather and all the new programs that the park offers this year.  The numbers are up by 30% both at the visitor center and the campground.  It's good to see.
  

What to say to someone who has saved your life

It's a question I asked myself as we went to the party on Saturday night.  We wondered if we should go.  Would we feel odd not being an NPS ranger or a employee?  It was a "Going Away" for Jeff, the LE (Law Enforcement) Ranger that gave me CPR a month ago and revived me.  As R and I walked into the community area where the party was being held, Jeff appeared.  Unlike in the movies I did nothing extra ordinary; I shook his hand, said thank you and so did my wife and we talked as if we knew each other for months or years.  He then introduced me to his wife, Jessa, and two sons ages three and nine months.  Jessa was polite and chatty until she realized who I was.  "Oh, you are.......! and began to cry and hugged me closely.  "I am so glad to meet you....!"  More hugs and more tears.  Both R and I felt like family.  Jeff even started to tear up as well.  It was a very moving experience for all of us.  Life has many bright spots and that was one of them.

   The party was great!  Lots of food.  Friendly people.  (Law officers letting their hair down.)  A roaring bonfire.  Nice words spoken by friends and associates to reminisce and share and express their admiration and good wishes for a fellow ranger moving to a new challenge at another park.

      Best wishes to you, Jeff and your family.  I will always remember you.


     and by the way,    THANK  YOU, again.


     Jim