February 2025. Green Valley/Palm Springs

 Well we made it home from Hawaii with no issues.  Both flights were early arriving to our destinations, flights were smooth and the food was good.  It will take a few days to get back to "normal".  the house was the same as we left it, so was the car!

Breaking heat records for the first week in Feb.  Good for pool time and enjoying the outdoors.  We went to Mt Lemmon on Wed Feb 5.  The weather was beautiful.  we expected it to be a bit cooler as the weather forecaster said it was going be cold..  oh well..  We had a great time, got 5 new year birds and beautiful surroundings.  I even made my annual Snowball!

the 5 new birds got us to #29 in the United States!  that won't last long but its fun while its happening.  

Feb 8: the weather is pretty warm, sunny with little wind.  Perfect for enjoying our yard.  Eric is a bit under the weather but still moving...

Feb 10:  day for the Gem Show in Tucson.  We only walked through 1 very large tent.  Wow...  so much stuff....  we did not make any purchases!

Our female Ana's Hummingbird sitting on her nest

Not too much going on, good weather, good hiking and just hanging at home.

vireo

sage thrasher, seems to be an eruption this year, they are everywhere

Feb 17: Off to Palm Springs today.  Ray is having shoulder surgery on Thursday.  We left at 7:30 for Mesa.  A few stops before getting to our hotel, Spark. 

We went target birding but did not succeed...  of course someone got it about 3 hours after we left the area. Oh well..  

we did get the Lewis' Sapsucker

 Dinner at Barrio Brewery.  pretty good.

It is right next to the local airport.  so a bit of noise but fun to watch the activity. 

Our room was nice, it's a lower end Hilton. comfortable, pretty plain with a very small breakfast, no coffee pot in the room (I bring my own on the road) but a very big TV!

Tues Feb 18: off to Blythe Ca today.  We took our time getting out of the Mesa area as we went looking for a few rare birds.  and much to our surprise we found them and a few more!  We arrived at our hotel by 2:30 PT.  went to 

we have never been here before.  its about a 30 minute drive and a zig-zag route.  We took a nice walk through the woods and managed to find a few more year birds...  Dinner back across the border in AZ for pizza.  it was ok, but actually not too expensive.  As we were driving this afternoon we could see a lot of smoke/smog.  we could not smell any smoke but thought smog was not the cause.  when we got to the pizza place we could most definitely smell the smoke!  it was pretty thick.

1000+ Snow Geese

Wed Feb 19:  off to Palm Springs today.  we plan on being at Ray's by noon which means not too many stops, although we can make a few if the traffic is not too bad.  We made 3 stops including at Shields Dates for a box of dates to take home..  Made it to Rays by noon.  lunch at the club on the patio.  beautiful day to hang outside.  

Thurs Feb 20: Ray and Eric left the house at 4:45 am for his 7:15 surgery time.  Reverse Shoulder Replacement.  not sure what that really means but I got the name right... 

Pied Billed Grebe

Ray was home by 10:30.  feeling good and no pain (yet).  He was able to do a few things by himself but it will take a few days for the pain to hit and for him to become a Lefty!  Eric and I went for a nice walk while he was in surgery and was able to take a nice walk in the hood while he was just hanging at home.  

Fri Feb 21:  Eric and I went to Big Marango for a wonderful walk and 7 year birds...  It was a bit crowded but we managed to stay away from people and get our birds.  Afterwards we went to Von's to get a few things for breakfast and dinner.  We ran into Ray's friend Jon.  He came over in the afternoon for a visit.  Ray is doing well.  trying to do stuff by himself, doing his exercises and relaxing. 

Sat Feb 22: We went to 1000 Palms Preserve and to Sunnyland to walk around, it was a bit warm in the desert, yesterday was a bit cool and windy.   In and Out for lunch..  Ray is doing much better, even took a shower.  Not too much bruising and not a big incision.  

Sun Feb 23: up early to go to the Salton Sea.   Beautiful day walking around the park and marina.  We got back to Ray's at 11:00, off to the grocery store for supplies he will need this week.  The rest of the day we hung around the house.   He is doing better every day.

We have had a good week of birding. out of over 700,000 USA birders we are #25 today.  again that won't last long but its still fun checking..

Mon Feb 24: time for us to go back home..  we are only going to make one overnight stop in Buckeye tonight.   pretty good drive from Palm Springs to Buckeye.  not too much traffic.  

there was an ad on Super Bowl Sunday that showed new Lays potato chips.  All Dressed.  I looked and looked and found them today at a small rest area on I 10

We gave it a big thumbs up!!!

dinner at 

Eric got the Chicago Dog.  well its not really a Chicago dog but it was pretty good!

Burrowing Owls

Tuesday Feb 25: we are heading back to Green Valley today. we have a few birds to find before we get there.  we missed these birds last week.  well we got one of the two and that one took us an hour waiting for it to show up..   we put out some oranges to entice him to come for a bite

Streaked backed Oriole

not sure what these guys were doing hanging around but they sure did annoy us

Made it back home by 2:15.  glad to be home...

Wed Feb 26: back to the car dealer as our info screen went out last week.  this is the 2nd time we have to take it in.  Its happened a few times in between and it has returned within a few hours but not this time..   WELL...  some knucklehead inadvertently turned off the info screen with his big paw..  the service guy got in the care, pushed the volume button and magically it came on....  

Hmmm..  unfortunatly we do not have a manual and I have tried to order one but no luck.  

Thurs Feb 26:  Picked up Portillio's to take to Roxy's for a fun lunch and swim day.  

Ended the month at #26!!