2019 Comes to an End


 We enjoyed Christmas dinner with friends and neighbors at Desert Trails RV Park last week; now the year winds to a close. We have visited the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum twice so far, and have come away with nice photos, and nice memories.
King snake and its handler

One of the things we enjoy at the desert museum is the Raptor free Flight show. They usually have it twice each day, and the birds only participate if they want to. In order not to over-tax them, the birds are only asked to participate once in a day.

Crested Caracara
Horned owl
Ferruginous hawk
 The hummingbird aviary has males and females of several species of hummingbirds. Females may be observed building nests at the right time of year.
Costa's Hummingbird Male


Broad-billed Hummingbird
 This male cactus wren was seen building a nest - which is not their usual season for this activity. Usually they do that in the spring. We were told that the male builds 3 nests and shows them to the female, who then selects her favorite one.
Cactus wren male collecting nest material

We are looking forward to more fun visits in the area around Tucson. We have an upcoming visit to Nogales, and the Paul Bond Boot Company. We are enjoying rides on the paved bicycle path that circumnavigates Tucson, and is referred to as "The Loop".

Best wishes to our dear readers in the coming year!

Mari and Ron


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