March 2022 begins in Palm Springs CA

 March 1 we left early for Buckeye AZ.  Of course we made a few stops before arriving at Home2 Suites in Buckeye. We had dinner at a local golf course.  The view was beautiful, the food was great and the sun felt good. 

Our neighbor John B. sent us a picture of our driveway.

Hopefully the snow will be gone by the time we get back!

A stop at the Salton Sea

We arrived at Ray's at about 3:00.  We had a few cocktails, it was 90 deg when we arrived, a little snack and lots of catching up we went to the clubhouse for a great dinner. 

On Thurs morning we went to Morango Valley for a wonderful walk.  I wish they would put dates on signs.  Not sure if this was recent or last July!

We stopped downtown for a bit of shopping and to welcome Marilyn back to Palm Springs.

We all went to the street fair in downtown, it was very crowded and a beautiful night for a walk around.  We ended up at dinner at Thai Smile.  The food was fabulous.  

Friday morning the mountains are on fire!  Well the sun makes it look like it for about 60 seconds! The view from our bedroom 

We attempted to go to Whitewater Preserve but it was closed due to weather concerns.  We did go to Coachella Valley Preserve that was kind of open, the pond was closed for maintenance but we had a good walk around.  

Ray made Kebobs for dinner and invited his friend John over.  Fun evening and great food!

Saturday March 5: we left Palm Springs for Yuma AZ. The weather was windy but sunny.  We stopped a few places beginning with a place in Indio.  We also went to the Salton Sea for a bit of birding before going to the Sonny Bono NWLR.  We ended up getting 9 new year birds today.  We did stop in Westmorland for a Date Shake!  oh so good.

After checking into the HGI in Yuma Pivot Point we walked to the Prison Hill Brewery for a wonderful appetizer plate and a few good beers.

Unfortunately we only spent one night in Yuma right on the river!  

Sunday March 6 we arrived "home" at about 3:00 pm. the wind had died down, the sun was out and lots of RV's on the road.  We made a few stops and ended up with 35 new Year birds for the trip.   Its always fun to go on the road but also wonderful to be back home. 

Tuesday we went to Sabino Canyon looking for the Gray Vireo.  We did not see it but heard it call from close by.  New life bird!  The place was crazy busy, the location we were at was pretty quiet for about 45 minutes then a group showed up, began setting up for a busload of kindergartners!  Really?  Luckily we heard the bird right away.  On our walk thru the canyon the paths and road was very very busy and lots and lots of chattering.  People were talking very loud and nonstop.  We had to stop a few times to let them pass us to get away from the noise.  

Crazy Saguaro cactus, never have we seen one like this....mutated Crested Saguaro Cactus

Cristate or “crested” saguaros form when the cells in the growing stem begin to divide outward, rather than in the cir - cular pattern of a normal cactus. This is an unusual mutation which results in the growth of a large fan-shaped crest at the growing tip of a saguaro’s main stem or arms.

Looking for the 5 Striped Sparrow, its only found in southern Arizona, coming up from Mexico.  We have never seen it.  On our 4th trip up the mountain Eric went thru the big culvert!  Still no bird!

On our 5th. trip up the mountain to find the 5 Striped Sparrow, there was a lot of people but no one found it.  One birder found a SUV off the road and called the sheriff.  Two tow trucks went up to get it out but we never seen them come back down.  The birder said he did not think anyone was in the vehicle.  It was Sunday morning so not a lot of traffic on the road to the top.  At the top is an Observatory.  Its a one lane road, so needless to say we won't be going up!  

Dinner el fresco in our yard, pizza and salad.

Up to Mount Lemon to get 5 new year birds.  We looked for others but no luck. It began to get quite crowded as we were looking for a picnic spot.  87 deg in Green Valley, 70 on MT Lemon.  good day for a mountain trip.  

March 16: finally got our 5 Striped Sparrow.  no pictures as it was in the sun and the pictures did not turn out.  whew... we heard it first then it flew to where Eric got a really good look at it. 

Hawk Watch is happening in Tubac.  We have seen the some of the same people we see in Duluth's Hawk Watch!  Lots of people looking for Common Black Hawks, Golden Eagles, Vultures etc.

the local Catholic Church has Fish Fry Friday during lent.  $8 per person, open between 5-7 pm.  We arrive at 4:58 and people were already walking out with their food!  It took about 12 minutes to pay and pick up our food.  Masks were highly recommended but only about 10% of the people were wearing them.. 

We experienced Thunderstorms yesterday!  We have never heard them here in Arizona nor in Texas.  It was quite windy, the rain was pouring out of the ski and thunder.  It all happened between 4 and 6 PM. The rain will make the desert flowers bloom..  

Today March 21 the sky on our way to a local Tucson park was very dark to the east.  The mountains were hiding in the clouds.  By the time we got to the park the sky was all blue again.  must have been left over clouds from the storm.

Getting ready to leave Green Valley.  Doing a bit of packing and cleaning out the fridge and cabinets. March 24 we headed to Patagonia State Park for 1 final visit.  We met up with my golfing friend Jackie and her husband John for lunch in town.  They come to Arizona for the month of March.  We had a wonderful fun visit and a great wrap at the Gathering Grounds. 

3 days of very warm temps.  we got up and out of the house early then enjoyed the heat in our yard in the afternoon.  

March 28: we stopped in Madera Canyon to look for the Botteri's Sparrow, and we found it!  Got pictures and vocal confirmation of this elusive little bird!  #666 life US bird.  We then went up to hike Old Baldy trail, we only went up 1 mile, not too many birds as it was windy and pretty overcast. Maybe they just have not come in yet?  who knows.  

We have a House Finch nesting in the light fixture by the back door.  We have babies!

We had rain and thunder on Tuesday afternoon.  good day to pack..  

We have enjoyed our time here and if we come back we would check to see if this unit is open.  We ended up with 6 new life birds! bringing our life Arizona bird list to 300! and we still have one more week in Arizona so who knows....

We leave Green Valley March 31 for Sierra Vista our final destination home on April 16.   The owner had to come inspect the unit and collect the keys.  We left at 8:00 am.  Beautiful day for a drive! 

We made several stops to hike and bird.  As usual we find interesting signs:

80 miles and 6 hours later we had an hour before we could check into to our hotel.  We stopped in Walmart and was able to get Booster #2!  It was exactly 6 months since my 1st booster and 1 year exactly since Eric got his 2nd shot!  So they put the bandage on first then the needle goes thru the membrane!

Needed nutrition after the long drive and booster! Mexican food fit the bill perfectly

too much food, means a walk around the local park where we found some concrete "corn hole" games.  Ours is in bad shape as it has been outside in the rain.  good idea!

4 nights here in Sierra Vista, we are hoping to increase our Life and Year bird list.