We began this month with a hike at Madera Canyon. Lots of hiking, not too many birds. But we did see a Coati Mundi!
We went up to about 5500 feet to find snow.
Wed Feb 3: on our way to Palm Springs. We left early for our 300 mile journey to Ehrenhart AZ on I-10 across the border from Calif. We stopped a few times in the Phoenix area, arriving at our hotel at 4:00. We went across the border to Blythe Ca for dinner at a BBQ place. Eric's brisket sandwich was pretty good, my pulled pork was pretty dry. We took our food to a park by the Colorado river.
Thurs Feb 4 we went to the Salton Sea before getting to our hotel in Rancho Mirage. Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, pretty good and outside!
Friday Feb 5: Eric picked up Ray at 7:20 for the trip to the hospital for his new hip...
one of my favorite views from Ray's courtyard
Ray got home at about 3:30, was able to walk with a walker from the car to the house.
this is why we leave for the winter
So far all is good with Ray's recovery.
Feb 7: Super Bowl Sunday
beautiful day for a hike, I am a bit overdressed, I find it hard to figure out what the weather will be in the mountains.
A little break before the big game..
Monday: My final dinner in PS from Manhattan in the Desert. Oh so good! The guys got sandwiches which were also Oh so good..
Ray is improving every day.. We headed "home" on Tues Feb 9 with a layover in Goodyear AZ. No issues on our way home, cloudy day on Tuesday which makes for a good drive eastward.
It's always good to get home.
We never get tired of looking our our window at the sunsets!
San Xavier Mission, the church was closed at noon, we got there at 12:15!
Feb 15: the temp was at -35 when I first looked at Birchwood this morning! Crazy cold weather across the US this week. Luckily we are not getting affected, although we are in the low 60's for the highs and mid 30's for the lows.
While walking parts of the DeAnza Trail we come across a few "bridges" and of course lots of cows!
On one walk the cows surrounded us and blocked the path. I picked up a whimpy stick and led the way!
another beautiful sunset!
Valentines day: we do see birds...
We went to Sweetwater to look for the Wood Duck and the Barn Owl. We did not find them! But we did find a Coyote, 2 Bobcats, Prairie Dog, Rabbit and a Raccoon! We are thinking about changing our focus from birds to mammals.
this Bobcat was completely comfortable around people. this lady just stood there, I would have probably peed on myself!
Back to Pena Blanca lake for a great hike
violet green swallows
Pena Blanca Lake
Say's phoebe
Pyrrhuloxia
This guy belongs in Texas!
Playing with the camera!
Beautiful late afternoon sky
Sunday Feb 21 we headed to Patagonia State Park for 2 nights in a cabin. the weather looked to be perfect for hiking and campfires. 2 bedrooms and a small "kitchen" is all we need!
great views!
Of course a campfire each night..
Those crazy cows came out each evening to eat, they actually came up by the cabins!
We found a Hummingbird nest, could not get a picture of the bird in the nest and a brand new baby calf! We think the calf was born just hours before we walked past the mom and baby!
The bird walk has a new sign:
this is the trail where we were surrounded by charging cows last month. Well the cows were gone, must have been too many complaints but now a Rabid Skunk! luckily we did not encounter it.
Tuesday Feb 23, I had a 3:00 eye doctor appointment to get new glasses and a 6:40 appointment to get my first vaccine shot! We arrived at 4:15 so they took me then!
Thurs Feb 25 we headed up to Mt Lemmon, 8000 ft above sea level, obviously snow and cold temp..
We did find two beautiful Golden Eagles!
We also got a few "Year" birds but no good pictures. It was kind of windy and cold but we enjoyed our time up there. Unfortunately most of the trails were closed, we think because of fire damage this summer/fall. Of course the visitor center was closed due to Covid.
Fish Fry Friday in Green Valley means we went to Culvers for Walleye sandwiches. Not our favorite fish fry but it was pretty good. I don't know when we will eat in a restaurant again (maybe 2022) but we sure do miss it! In the mean time our vehicle serves as our restaurant. Restaurants here in Arizona are open but we do not feel comfortable eating inside and we have found very few outside dining options.
We began to route our journey home beginning April 1.
