Author Archives: Richard

Arizona Desert Flowers

Just before we left Arizona, we got a couple of modest rainfalls and the flowers started popping out. Of course, I have a dozen bird books but nothing on desert flowers – and we haven’t been near a bookstore since. … Continue reading

Posted in nature, Plants & Flowers, Southwest trip 4 | 3 Comments

Birds of San Eligo Lagoon

The San Eligo Lagoon just south of our California camping sites, is a favorite of many local birders (although I met none in three visits but did meet a good birder from MA) and it is easy to see why. … Continue reading

Posted in CA birds, Southwest trip 4 | 1 Comment

A Morning Surprise – #400

One of my 2014 birding goals was to reach 400 life birds – in my fifth year of birding. I saw two Black-tailed Gnatcatchers as I checked into the Salton Sea State Receation Area last weekend (for 398). The following … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Birding, Arizona Birds, life bird, Life list, Southwest trip 4 | 3 Comments

Hiking Brown Mountain

We are hanging out, enjoying great Arizona weather, at Gilbert Ray Campgound, a county park just west of Tuscon. We have a neat site which is relatively secluded with Cactus Wrens, Verdin, and Gambell’s Quail to entertain us. So do … Continue reading

Posted in hiking, Penny, Southwest trip 4 | 1 Comment

My Cousin Vinny – Why Do We Keep Thinking Of It?

We changed plans and moved a little east to the Salton Sea Recreation Area where we had better chances of sites with hookup, and where there are thousands of birds. It was an easy drive through the high desert and … Continue reading

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Riding Out The Storm

We had set aside two nights at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park before heading further eastward. The trip from San Diego was longer than expected because of the steep winding roads crossing the mountains. The truck did fine but the brakes … Continue reading

Posted in CA camping, Southwest trip 4 | 1 Comment

Solar Rocks!

I bought a solar panel for the #Airstream about four years ago and have hardly used it. Once in a while, either at a Vermont state park or at our daughter’s in Massachusetts, I’ll set it up and chase the … Continue reading

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Arizona Butterflies

As our friends and family deal with yet another winter storm in New England, it feels a bit mean to be posting photos of butterflies. Yet below all that snow and frozen leaf litter, Mourning Cloak pupae lie waiting to … Continue reading

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Arizona Birds

Arizona has some great birds, and even the common ones often look sharp in the desert light. Here are a few shots I’ve taken that were neat encounters. The first bird I saw at Gilbert Ray County Park, outside Tuscon, … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Birding, Arizona Birds, Southwest trip 4 | 1 Comment

Lizard Dog

Connie, our fine vet, has a unique to deal with a high-strung Viszla when she needs to give Penny a shot or draw blood. She places one of her office cats in a glass-walled room adjacent to the exam room. … Continue reading

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