It's been another busy week here in the desert. Dana and I explored 2 new parks. Earlier this week we travelled 50 miles east to the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum. Yesterday we traveled south to the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. I won't try to compare the two as these parks were very different. Boyce-Thompson is a small State Park. It has designated garden areas displaying desert plants. Trails are groomed and well maintained for the many visitors. While not exactly "commercial", it is heavily used and thus lacks the feeling of wild, raw desert that we prefer. We did spot our first Cardinal this year and a Red Naped Sapsucker which made the visit memorable. We also came across a large group of mature adult humans decked out in nearly identical outdoor gear all carrying expensive cameras and/or binoculars. We slid past them as quietly as possible as to not to startle the herd. We later learned that is was a group from the Tucson Audubon Society on a bird watching hike.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park is a Maricopa County park. This is a very large mountainous park. While there we hiked parts of the Gold Mine and San Tan trails. At one point on the Gold Mine Trail we were up high enough to see much of the valley of the sun, from the towers of down town Phoenix to the city of Apache Junction at the base of the Superstition mountain range. It was hot and sunny this day and we were glad to have extra water with us for the hike.
On Thursday morning Dana and Darlene returned to Usery Park for a guided bird walk. They not only came home with many bird stories but with information about other flora and fauna of the desert. It sounds like the guide, Sandy, know her stuff and is happy to share her knowledge. Over the next few weeks we will put all this knowledge to good use.
As February comes to a close in the valley of the sun, the young at heart of all ages turn their attention to Major League Baseball Cactus League play. On Saturday Mike, Wayne and I headed to Hohokam Park, home of the Chicago Cubs. First of all, I am not a Cubs fan, but regardless I am a baseball fan and any opportunity to take in a free practice day was not something I could pass up. We spent about 2 hours watching pitchers practice coming off the mound to field a bunt, BP, double play and running drills. There was one player that I wanted to see and that was Ryan Dempster, the pride of Sechelt, B.C. Ryan was tagged to start the Spring League home opener against the Oakland A's.
Saturday night we attended the annual B.C. - Alberta night (dinner and entertainment) at Mesa Regal. Over 400 in attendance.
Sunday's discovery - While hiking in Usery Park we spotted a Western Screech Owl who had made a home in a hole high up in a tall Saguaro cactus. We feel very fortunate to have spotted this little bird.
March here we come. By the by, we have received a suggestion to tone down our enthusiasm of the desert and the warm sunny days. This while Victorians are freezing their little faces off. Forget it! Stay warm my friends.
Oooops. How did this photo get in here? Val Vista Drive, Mesa
Naomi - this one is for you. Ryan Dempster #46
What a hoot! A Western Screech Owl...not to be confused with Screetch(sp) from NFLD. (Click on photo to enlarge)
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