Comings and Goings for Chritmas

Hello all,  I have not had a lot to write about until lately.  After our return from Thanksgiving at Valentina-ville, I ws sitting at the computer when a bunny came raacing up the driveway past me.  I thought Oh-Oh,  Wiley might be on the chase.  I have not seen him come through the labyrinth at all lately.  But alas, several minutes later here comes a really pretty bobcat simply strolling up the drive, taking the same path as the bunny.  It will be safe at the bobcat's pace!

The next week I look out, and there is the herd of Javalinas --looking for more of our cactus and shrubs to munch on.  I went out and did my "HYAAAH!" several times, hoping no neighbors were outside.  Good job, I thought, as they trotted off the end of the drive and around the corner,  several little babies running to catch up.  I've said this before...the babies are cute, but boy are the big ones uuugly!  I then went out after seeing 2 stragglers hiding under the tree.  I did get a pic of one of them before they finally sauntered off toward the big rocks.  It's not the best pic because I did not want to get too close, lest there be another one behind me.

 

And speaking of coyotes, I have only seen several small ones around Honeybee Ridge. Another one yesterday which ran across the boulevard in front of me at Honeybee Canyon Park, just next to our development (Honeybee Ridge).  And, FYI...there are Indin Petroglyphs about a mile into Honeybee Canyon, a nice hike!   But no Wiley!

Also yesterday, I had to come home from errands just for 5 minutes.  As I started up the driveway I had to stop --- there in front of me was a big buck deer with antlers and all ...maybe lost from Donner and Blitzen...??  They tend to come down from the mountains in the winter, looking for water.  He didn't know he couldn't jump the fence to our pool!  After staring at me for a minute he loped off around the back of the pool and onto the street.  But of course he did not stop long enough for me to get a really good pic.  I did get several ones for your viewing poleasure, however. 

I cannot move the second picture up, so excuse the empty space. 

 

 

 We are leaving for Valentina-ville soon. Here are  her newest seasonal pics by Blaire:

                                                             VALENTINA  ROSE 

 

 

And now I wish you all a very Mele Kalikimaka and a Hap, Hap, Happy New Year!

Blessings and Light to you,  Peju of the Desert

 

 

 

A rare sighting, and the Great Flood of Tucson

     

A couple nights after we returned from Valentinaville and driving up our driveway after dinner out there was a big Gila Monster slowly moving across our drive.  It's a fairly rare thing to see here, and it was our first time seeing one in Tucson.  So pretty!  I was so excited and jumped out of the car to snap some pix.  I did get a good one...

The next morning on my routine check of the pool for unwanted critters I watched a tiny brown frog doing laps across the pool.  I just left it there since I didn't know whether it wanted to stay in the water or go out in the desert.  Although the next morning upon my inspection there it was...sitting on the pool thermometer, which for some magical reason was floating on the surface, (usually it is straight down in the water!).  It looked so cute I took a pic!

And then a friend of mine sent me this Bobcat pic taken from her backyard. It is such a great photo that I have to include it for your entertainment.  Thank you Leslie!

 

Now for the Great Flood of Tucson 9/8/2014!  We had not only the Monsoon seasonal rains, we had a hurricane hurling tons of water on us!  4 inches yesterday in several hours.  That is more than we get in an entire Monsoon season.  So I was on "Flood Watch" all morning.  I stood at the front doorway watching our driveway in front of our garage and front entrance filling up.  When it got close I had to do something, and went out in the rain to dig a trench.  However, there was no place for it to drain, and I also hit solid rock.  Then in the middle of my disaster  prevention effort thunder started, and it lasted for --seemed like 5 minutes!--.  Well, you know what that means... if you hear thunder you are to take cover...go inside!  That's a better idea to avoid a lightening strike, especially since I am in a bright red slicker; possibly a beacon to attract lightning!?!?  (last month lightening struck our pool filter and blasted it!)  Nothing to mess around with here on THUNDERSTORM PLACE!

 

Water to the DOOR!

     Sandbags at the ready. 

And look how pretty Refugio is ---out My Window now!!

This is all for now,

Peju of the Desert

 
 

Hot and sultry...

 

This morning we had the lightest rain possible here in this Monsoon season.  It was just beautiful!  I liken it to what I remember as the "piki rain" of Hawaii.  Now, I can't find anything with that terminology, so I may have made it up, but that was back in 1967 so it could be anything.  It is hot and sultry -- that's the only description I could come up with as I sat outside on the patio watching, smelling, and feeling the rain.  In fact, in one of our hula dances, Ka Beauty A'o Manoa,  one of our
verses is: "A beauty is the Tuahine rain of Manoa". It is the name of the famous misty rain of Manoa Valley on Oaha.  To dance this is just as lovely as the Tuahine rain itself.  I love it!  However, later this afternoon it revved up to full on thunder and lightening leading to flash floods.  Yes, the washes were like rivers, and many warnings not to drive in the dips of the roads if you can't see the bottom.  Cars can get swept away quickly.  Plus, if that happens you are the topic of the news as part of the Stupid Motorist Law.  Our front driveway/parking area flooded...there is no drainage, so water just sits there.  I was praying it would not keep rising in our front door!!  Fortunately it stopped, but it took

hours for it to go down.  I was getting to make up sandbags for the doorway.

    

Our Catalina Mountain view in our backyard revealed a remarkable setting with the low clouds sifting across the foothills. By this time it was 71 degrees at 3:30pm and our humidity was 84%.  ----And you are staying away from visiting due to what??? 

I was away almost 3 weeks to the Bay Area, and on the 2nd morning home, just after Ron drove off to be the caretaker of Justice in the Juvenile Court, I wondered what I would see out "my window".  Ha, like there really would be something out there for my entertainment just because I am home!  Well...yes, there was a javelina under my window munching on the maroon fruit of the prickly pear.  He was underneath it so much I could not get a photo.  And knowing where there is 1 of these long-haired peccaries there is a herd.  Sure enough, right across the driveway was the rest of the gang, grazing on our "pasture",  which is a heavily weeded area next to my Labyrinth.  Everything is very green and healthy due to the Monsoon rains.  They too were hidden by the mesquite trees prohibiting a photo op.  All I could do at that point was to chase them away with my "cowboy Heeaaahh!"  and armed with my walking stick in case they turn in my direction.  If they eat cactus, then they could probably bite my stick in 2 pieces.  I did get one pic before they meandered off.

A bit later on there were the usual big quail out there, also under the prickly pear.  All of a sudden there came a roadrunner toward them.  I have never seen a roadrunner with this colorful bright yellowish-gold feathered top of his head;  striking.  Since males are usually the fancier of species, that's why I said "he".  Their real name is "Greater Roadrunner", and they can run up to 18 miles/hour.  The next thing I saw was a big ruckus with 2 large quails feathers and wings spread out chasing that roadrunner across the patio and away!  Then I saw another roadrunner circling back toward the first one, and this pair...yes I am certain they were an item, beep-beeped along the driveway away from our area.  I suspected they wanted a portion of the dark red fruit called tunas that had fallen from that prickly pear cactus. The next day I saw a quail family run across the driveway with 2 teeny tiny quailettes, only about 2 inches high.  I think the that was the stimulus to that chase scene. I could not see them at the time, but I suspect that roadrunner saw them! They were too small to show up in my photo.  The next day I saw one of them running in the road around the corner two times during the day, and not again since then. 

There are 2 more things I have to show you, mostly of interest to those of you not from the desert.  The first is this plant outside "My Window".  It must be 10 ft. tall, with flowers at the top of a long bamboo-looking stem and a large spiny bush at the base.  My friend Jon Skaug tells me it is a variety of a plant called a Toothless Spoon.  Have you ever heard of such a thing? It sure has a lot of spiny teeth along its leaves for being called "toothless"!  To the right is a picture taken facing "My Window", reflecting my image due to the very tinted windows. 
The other amazing thing that happened while I was writing this blog is that I looked out and saw a desert tortoise lumbering toward our front door to visit me.  I have been looking out for one lately since I had not seen one this year.  They only come out during the Monsoon time.  It let me come right up to it.  You

are not supposed to pick them up because when they get frightened they urinate, and then get dehydrated. Not good in the desert! 

I do have more to show you, but it will have to wait until the next blog. 

Signing off,

Peju of the Desert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tarantulas are...

So here we are on the patio last night enjoying Santa Maria-style Tritip with our OV friends in a balmy 82 degree weather when Jill announced that she saw something moving out of the corner of her eye.  The full moon had just come up over the Catalina Mountains providing us with a beautiful backdrop. It was the night of the "Super Moon", when the moon is 1 of the 3 times this year when it is closest to the earth, so it looks a lot larger.  We all turned to see a very big tarantula moving across the patio.  Ron and Jon tried to steer it away from the house and door because the pest control spraying was just done, and we didn't want it to get in the poison.  Boy can those big arachnoids move quickly!!!  No time for a picture this year.  You'll just have to look at last pic in my blog. 

And our big excitement the night before was going to Tohono Chul Park in the dark with our flashlights.  This was after our dinner in Catalina at Mi Tierra -- Valentina's favorite place!  The park had been advertising that "The Queen is coming!" for about 3 weeks.  There is one particular cactus that blooms only for 1 night a year.  They track the pre-bloom phases and put out email blasts about the expected day it will bloom, Then on the actual day, they post it again.  It was even on the News! 
This year there were enough that they had some blooming for 2 nights.  So off we went, in our closed-toe shoes and our flashlights and cameras.  We got there around 8pm.  There were soo many cars and people--- they were parked for blocks around the park, and lined up in a long queue!  We had no idea there would be this many people.  It was like the end of the movie "Field of Dreams" where all the cars were coming to the ballpark lined for miles at night.  Here is a pic of one of the 300 of them that they had fenced all around the park, the paths lit up with luminarias.  It was a sight to see for sure.!  Without the blooms, they just look sticks.  And they have a beautiful subtle aroma. 

 

Meanwhile along the Rancho Vistoso Blvd. median and street corners, there is another plethora of cacti blooms. This is the main street that loops through Rancho Vistoso -- our part of Oro Valley;  it leads  to our development.  Since the Monsoon has brought us some rain, the blooms are on parade again. They are all colors, and even more blooms on one plant than in April.    Most are different colors of red and  pink in many different shades.  And some are white and yellow.  Here is a sample. 

 

Driving down the boulevard it is hard to watch the road and observe the bloomin' cactus and watch out for the many bicyclists at the same time.  I had to stop for this one this morning. 

 

So, watch out for tarantulas y'all; it is the beginning of their mating season when the males are out -- in spite of all risks and danger -- in search of a willing date. 

Signing off for now,  Peju of the Desert

 

 

Horny little thing!

Well I hope I won't get censored by that title.  It is just about a little Horned Lizard!  It is also called a "horny toad", and inhabits the Sonoran Desert and other places as well..  This one was  next to our saguaro next to the garage.  They eat big black and red ants -- which is good, as they are numerous underneath the birdfeeder outside my window.  Paul, our Insect Eradicator, is the one who saw it, and is holding it for my picture.  He grew up in Santa Maria, Ca. where he used to catch them as a kid.  This is where Ron grew up also, and he also used to catch them as a kid.  Small world When they get really frightened and feel the need to protect themselves they squirt blood out of their eyes.  Yes, that would do it! 

Well several of you have asked if I have seen Wylie lately, and it was several months since he last pranced through here in front of my window.  That is until just now.  He just passed through  -- on a mission.  He came across between my labyrinth and the driveway, and kept on going alongside the driveway.  He is bigger, I must say!!  Unlike that scrawny bobcat from 2 days ago.  The roadrunner came by again last night again.  I think he forgot he already had both courses of dinner the day before. 

Soon it will be time to write about the Nopals of the prickly pear cacti, as they are ripening now.  Signing off for now, Peju of the Desert

It's WILD alright!!

Oh dear me!!  I didn't get to tell you that I almost stepped on a diamondback rattle snake a while back.  Ron and I were just going out for a walk, and at the foot of our driveway by our mailbox he put his arm out and stopped me. My next step would have been on the snake.  I was looking for Wylie up ahead since the last time I say him was up ahead a block.  Well, I tell everybody to look down, but was I doing that??  NO!!  I screamed bloody murder 3 times as loud as I could, and jumped up and down.  I don't know who was more scared --- me or the snake!! It rattled and slithered off the road , but toward our pool!  Now I always look for it!!
And now just after telling everyone about my latest blog, I have more news.  This is the Oh dear me! part. As I was sitting here today checking my email, first I see a Roadrunner go past my window with something in it's mouth.  It ate it, and later I saw the rest of what it had, a baby bird, most likely a quail or dove.  Then it kept looking at me through the window and finally walked away.

 

Then as I added other names to the Blog list a bobcat walked right past my window with a bunny in its mouth.  It walked around and under my other window with a screen on it, and stopped for dinner.

 

 

 

 

You know how you don't want to see something, but then you go and look anyway??  That's how this is.  I peeked around the desk to look out, and yes,  I don't want to see that! 
Then that roadrunner came back for the rest of the birdie.  Same thing.  I didn't want to look, but took a picture any way. It didn't come out very good.  Lucky for you!!  EEEUUU!!!
It's WILD alright!!!  OMG! 
So, if you just pulled this one up, take a look at the one posted just prior to this one.  It's much tamer.  I apologize if anyone gets sick from this blog. 
Signing off, and hope there's no more of this kind of dinner action under my Window on the World!
Peju of the Desert

 

Lots of cactus activity!

Since I have been away to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to be a caregiver for my brother Steve who had a liver transplant on May 19.  This was a huge medical feat!  He had to stay in Rochester for 4 weeks after transplant and go to Clinic 2-4 times a week.  Our cousin and wife, Don and Mary, welcomed us as part of their extended family during the stay, including Steve's dear dog!  This is him and me the following week at a street fair, and with more cousins in suburb of Minneapolis.     

Our sister went for 2 weeks after I was there a bit over 2 weeks.  He is doing very well back home in Clear Lake, Iowa; and just got medical clearance to go back to work. 

Well I digress...The morning I left I had to chase away the javelinas from the cactus next to the driveway.  Usually they don't hear well or scare easily, but I let out a couple yips ... the kind that cowboys yell on a cattle roundup!  I learned this from watching John Wayne and Little Joe.  That scared them all right.  They went across the driveway and stopped, waiting for the rest of their herd -- which was a couple little babies.  They were actually cute!!  But you should also know, that when the javelinas have their babies with them they are very protective... and dangerous to others.  I did not get a picture as I just wanted them out of here!  The neighbor just behind us took this pic of several of them under her birdbath. They just make themselves at home. 

Before my medical sabbatical the Tucson cacti were in full glory.  I took so many pictures of them, as they are so beautiful and different.  It was as if they were each fashionistas vying for top place in the Best of Show! 

June was a bumper crop of flowers for the local Saguaros.  They had way more this year than in previous years...their way of propagating themselves. 

After they flower -- for only 1 day!--the green fruit ripens and bursts open enticing birds of all types to partake.  And they drop to the ground providing a meal for the local inhabitants...bunnies, ground squirrels, desert tortoise, quail, cardinals, curve-billed thrasher, gila woodpecker, cactus wren, greater roadrunner, and those are just the ones I have seen.  At night the bats also feed on them, but that is after I go to sleep.  Also the larger animals also eat the fruit and disperse the seeds...nature's way of propagating the saguaros, and other cacti as well.  The little black seeds inside are in a red syrup which is sweet.  When they are all opening the aroma is wonderful                                  

               

                             
                                                                           
I have to leave now,  and hopefully we get ahead of a Haboob as we drive up to Phoenix to fly to Bay Area for the 4th of July weekend.  This Haboob warning is for I 10 from 2:00pm till 8pm today.  We are leaving at 1:00!  and going on I 10 -- of course.  This all from our Monsoon beginning -- today!!  So wish us luck and safe passage to Valentinaland! 
Till next time,  Peju of the Desert

 

The Best Of ...

Happy New 2014 everyone!  Well, in terms of wildlife from my Window, there was a mom and baby bobcat at the front door that Ron saw one morning.  They left too soon to grab the camera.  So we leave that to your imagination.  Then I finally put the last pieces to my Heart Labyrinth, and the next day while I was on the phone in front of my computer and my Window here comes Wylie.  That big coyote walked up the side of the driveway, turned on the path to the Labyrinth, crossed over it and stopped on the edge of it to bend down and sniff.  What, I can not even guess!  And then along came Wylette who followed the same trail, crossed the labyrinth, and stopped to sniff at the same place.  She was as big as he was.  I have not seen them since however.  The only other wildlife we saw was a big Jackrabbit with the BIG ears while out on a walk around the neighborhood to check on the progress of new homes being built.  He just sat and posed a long time.  We took pictures, but the sun was right behind him, so he did not show up very well.  And then 2 days ago I was watching a Cardinal from my Window, and she flew right beneath my side window and was catching a drink from the irrigation tubing next to the tree.  Other than that it is our frequent bunny visitors and our usual fat quail scurrying around under the finch feeder while the finches and the woodpecker get the bulk of the seed.
                                                    This is the labyrinth I built, based on the small heart stone from                                                       the Sacred Garden on Maui. 

                                                  

Also I thought it would be fun to publish my favs from 2013.  Starting off with the big snow of Feb.                                                                                
                      

Entrance to our development.
                                                   

Stubborn javelina eating our plants on front porch. !!

 

Wylie, is that you?  (next to driveway).

                                                              

Our barrel cactus has a crown of flowers in August, and a crown of yellow fruit in winter!Backyard sunset August.
                                                

http://youtu.be/CLzS8lJd3Kg   This is our friend Rodney and his buddy riding in the desert.  an AWESOME video!!! You gotta see it!

And finally a sunset from last week from our spa.   It was spectacular!!

                                                                                  

And yet more finally, 2 pix of our darlingest grand daughter, Valentina Rose... 5 mos. old,

                                          

                                                                       

                                 and...   9 mos. old.