December 2023 Green Valley AZ

 The month began with clouds and a bit of rain!  We thought the rain was going to hold off for a few hours but we were wrong.  As we were walking a light rain began, then the further we got from the car the harder it rained!  We could see blue sky not too far from us.  We waited out the harder rain and the sun came out!   By afternoon the rain came back, we decided to check out the only Sauna available to us.  It was pretty nice, a bit warm.  We needed a relaxing afternoon.. 

We really like this house, but it sure does make a lot of noise!  The house was built in the 70's so it should not be settling, it cracks and moans all night long!

Began checking out the pools and fitness centers.  The brand new fitness center is fabulous but always crowded.  Some of the pools have lanes for laps, which Eric likes as the bobbers sometimes take over a pool.   One of our pools is saltwater! and 87 deg!!!  therapeutic...

So we have been collecting wood for our chiminea.  It's a long process and we had to buy a saw to cut the long branches.  not a problem but we thought "why not purchase wood"?  

the wood we collected. cost $0

Arizona Cordwood, milk crate full $18

Nicholas Firewood. small wheelbarrow $25

hmm...  we have not burned any of the purchased wood but suspect it will all burn the same. 

 I ordered a few items from Amazon.  they sent Santa to deliver it!

Dec 12:  Horses and Great Horned Owl

the horses were coming toward us, maybe to say hello?  

the Owl said "go away"

Green Tailed Towhee

Christmas Cactus

good looking Coydog!

1 of many Bobcats we seen this month

Dec 14: today we finally went to the Titan Missile Museum.  we have been in the area 3 winters and never went to see this place.  it was very interesting and highly recommended but you need to be able to walk down and up 55 stairs. no elevator

At the Titan Missile Museum, near Tucson, Arizona, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site, officially known as complex 571-7, is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987.

This one-of-a kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. What was once one of America’s most top secret places is now a National Historic Landmark, fulfilling its new mission of bringing Cold War history to life

A quick session at the local Casino, Eric lost $10, I lost $1.  not bad for us...   Lunch at 1922 Pub.  Surprisingly it was packed!  Crazy for a Thursday?  No signs of recession or slowing economy here.

Dec 15: Mr Bobcat stopped by looking for dinner, he left hungry!

Dec 16: we keep looking for the Elegant Trogan without success but did find the Western Screech Owl

Dec 17: our niece Ellen Gustafson graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Medicine from the University of Tampa.  Congratulations 

Sweetwater Preserve

the Sweetwater Bobcat has a collar on it

barn Owl

Another Great Horned Owl

Friday Dec 22: forecasting rain for 24 hours beginning at 5 am...  We headed to Gilbert/Mesa with a stop here and there for a bit of walking in the mist.  We lucked out with the rain, whenever we stopped to walk it was just misting,  We left a day early for our trip to Palm Springs Ca to spend the holiday with brother Ray.  there is a rare bird, Streaked-backed oriole in Gilbert.  Yes the rain held off and we found the bird!!!  the rain came down harder as we left the park.  Off to an indoor mall for a bit of walking.  Surprisingly the mall was pretty empty.  We arrived at the Hampton Inn at 3:00, got a nice room (upgrade).  Dinner at Uncle Bears Bar and Grill.  great burgers!

Saturday Dec 23: our journey today is only 60 miles so we slept in, ate a late breakfast and headed back to the park to get pictures of the Oriole.  We brought some oranges to intice the bird to pose for pictures. Hmm...  that did not work too good for us, but we found the birds a few times for a some great pictures.  But...  others did get great pictures of the birds on the oranges.  

We had a bit of clouds, sun and misting but managed to get a few more walks in.  Arriving at our hotel, Home 2 Suites in Buckeye Az at 3:00.  Dinner at Rooftop on Miller.  The food was OK, service great.  

Sunday: we headed to Palm Springs (237 miles) today.   We made a few stops arriving at Ray's at 3:00.  One stop was at the Salton Sea.  We had a fun afternoon/evening catching up.  Ray's friend John came by for a bite and drink.

Merry Christmas!

since we went to bed really early, (no nap and time change) we woke up really early!   A wonderful walk in the Morango Valley, although a bit cold in the beginning.   A little rest by the pool for Eric, Ray prepared a wonderful dinner.  

hmmm...  this is a park!  with tennis courts and a playground

Eric, John, Ray

Dec 26:  We started our day at a local park where we found a Tropical Kingbird!  they are usually found in Texas, but we did find one in Wisconsin a few years ago.

We went to Whitewater preserve this morning where we seen a lot of Mountain Goats!

Dec 27: We left Ray's around 8 am.  A stop at Salton Sea and Tamarisks Lake.  As we left the I10 to go to Tamarisks Lake we noticed the traffic was getting backed up.  We were about 45 miles from the Arizona border.  When we got back on I10 it was pretty much a parking lot.  We did not fill up the tank when we left Palm Springs so we were pretty low on gas.  We had about 170 miles left on the tank, after going 5 miles in 1 1/2 hours we were down below 100 miles left, with about 40 miles to go to the nearest station going east.  So we did a U-turn back 20 miles to fill up, (the back up grew about 15 miles to the west when we went back for gas..) so we took the northern route (adding 100 miles our journey), arrived at the hotel at 8 pm Mountain time.  What a stressful trip!!  The back up was caused by road construction.    UGH....  We stayed at the same hotel and same room as we did on the way to Ray's.

Dec 28:  177 miles to home..  We stopped and finally got one more year bird.  stopped for lunch and another quick bird stop then grocery shopping.  home by 2:00..  so good to be back home.

Bendires Thrasher

Dec 29:  the Christmas Bird Count in Green Valley today.  We met up with our partner Ted W. at 8:00 am.  Well he showed up at 9! We had a very little birded area, and we found out why.  We got about 20 different birds for the day.  Lots of walking over rocks and boulders, deep rutted roads and a little bit of path.  A bit disappointing for our bird count, the wind was pretty strong in the canyon.  We did get 4 Golden Eagles!  that was the highlight!

Dec 30:  A fun trip to Patagonia but not the state park.  We looked again for the Elegant Trogan, our 12th time... no luck....  not meant to be this year... 

Javalinas

Dec 31:  Eric is back in the pool,   Kind of an easy day, a bit of walking, cleaning, resting, watching Twilight Zone and a fire to end the year.

We began the year in Costa Rica, February Eric went to Wisconsin for the Birkie, Rose and Kim came to Moon Lake to visit with me. March we went to find the Brown Jay, April we headed home, June we did a Wisconsin/Michigan trip, taking the USS Badger across Lake Michigan. August we went to Madison for a big birthday celebration. September was in South Carolina for guys weekend and the big birthday bash. October we headed to Green Valley.  November we went to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. December we spent with Ray in Palm Springs.  

We lost our Jenny, Uncle Bill and a few friends.  We have some more aches and pains but still moving.

 We were not as diligent on our birding as in the past.  Costa Rica increased our world yearly count by 215  birds.  We missed a few that did not want to be added to our list.  But all in all a very good year for us.  We really enjoy our morning walks.

2023:  World Year:  670    USA: 465

Happy New Year!