Sandhill cranes

We hadn't been out to see our winter resident Sandhill Cranes in a long time and thought it was something Steph should see.  We left early so we could have breakfast at "Reb's" in Benson and still be out to Whitewater Draw by the time the flocks return from their morning of foraging in nearby agricultural lands.  I was sure she would be as impressed as we always are to see the thousands of birds fly in, flock after huge flock as they calmly settle down along the shore.  

Was a bit windy but we were dressed for it.  Went onto Bisbee and walked a couple of streets, poked into a few shops and galleries, stopped by the historic Copper Queen Hotel before we made our way back to Tucson.  Topped the day off with dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Super day hanging out with Steph.

MIM

We drove up to Phoenix today for an overnight getaway. Our first destination was the Museum of Music. It's great.We started out together and then split up so we could each find our interest in the short time we had. We were all on overload when we left, it was really interesting and could return again.
   But we needed to get Steph to a yoga workshop that began mid afternoon. Will and I checked into hotel in Chandler, walked through a mall close by, then soaked in hotel hot tub and relaxed until we could pick up Steph.

Christmas

Judy Massey came to spend Christmas day with us. Did a traditional turkey dinner, cranberry salad, sweet potatoes. . .the works.  And, of course, Steph is here. Great day.
After a big dinner, we took a drive out into the desert and a short hike to Signal Hill.

She is here!!

Stephanie arrived yesterday.  Enjoying every minute of her visit.

Irene and me

Irene met Will and I for a nice Christmas breakfast at Tohono Chul Bistro this morning.  She was my first friend when we moved to Tucson 11 years ago and remains a dear friend.  Love you, Irene.

Harris Hawks in my back yard

Its not uncommon to see Harris Hawks in our greater neighborhood, many times we see them perched on power lines along Hardy Road but today a family was in our yard.  They were RIGHT THERE!! We were at the breakfast table when we heard one scream at his companion.  They usually travel in family groups so if you see one you will likely see at least one more.  First saw one on our wall, then another right above our bird feeder before they moved out to the desert behind our house where we watched a total of three birds for quite a while.

They were really being vocal.  When Will went to peer over the back wall to get a closer look, he saw two coyotes scamper away.  Made us wonder if the birds were screaming at the coyotes.  (And their call can only be described as a scream.)

We get frequent visits by Coopers Hawks, no doubt lured in for an easy kill by all my bird feeders, but these guys are something special.  

Home again

Another all day drive to get home.  Was a plesant day, however.  No problems on the road, retraced our steps successfully.  Lunch at KFC in Hermosillo.  Back on the road and watched the scenery go by.

One of the many colorful cemeteries we passed by still decorated from "Dia de los Muertos", this one outside of Magdelina.

Big painting of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico on the side of the cliff.  Her image is everywhere.

A vineyard near the city of Obregon  is huge.  Seems to go on forever.  Mexican wine is coming.

And then we got to the border. . . 

It took us almost 2 hours of creeping along in line to get up to immigration.  They have redone the Mariposa border crossing and added a bunch of lanes.  However, today, only 4 of the 15 or so lanes for automobiles were open.  Very annoying.  Now wouldn't you think that if they have the crossing lanes in place, the efficient thing to do would be to actually man them!  

 

Alamos

Everywhere you turn is a photo waiting to be taken.

 Coming back from a short walk. Rancho Acosta is on the very edge of town, a 20 minute walk to the Plaza. It is actually a hunting lodge in season for quail and dove hunters although hunting is not so popular as it once was here.

Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion. (Parish of the Immaculate Conception)

flowers growing everywhere--from rooftops, from behind walls, very tropical feel.  Bougainvillea is a weed here, I am sure.

Old guys sitting on the square, shooting the breeze, watching the traffic go by. . .just like at home!!

Enjoying some fish tacos at the street market.

Bad picture of a Magpie Jay.  Best I could get.  Very striking bird with long, long tail, "crown" on its head with feathers sticking up and very loud and raucous voice--typical Jay.

Full Day

Up early to see the sunrise from El Mirridor, the lookout above Alamos.

Back to Rancho Acosta for breakfast and then a hike on ranch property to find a mountain spring.

Found the spring and a gigantic fig tree that obviously gets plenty of water.  Plus some interesting wildlife, like a small herd of horses.  Then a little siesta before an afternoon drive to a nearby village that at one time had a properous silver mine.  Not much left now except an old church and some broken down walls that no doubt are keeping thier secrets.  A cactus is growing out of the old church wall that locals see as a good omen.

Made a trip to bakery in Alamos for some fresh sweet breads.  Right out of the brick oven, no less!!

Thanksgiving Day

Out birding for the holiday.  Went to the nearby Cuchujaqui River and then when it got too hot, we took a recently paved road for a 40 mile drive to the Coast.  Thought we'd find some shore birds there but not so much there.  We were not really sure where to go and didn't have time or inclination to do too much searching so saw the ocean and some nice beach front homes and then came back.  Interesting to see the "Dry Deciduous Forest" that this part of Sonora is famous for.  It is very tropical and lush in the summer here but this time of year a lot of the trees have lost thier leaves for winter but huge hecho cactus and other flowering tropical plants still poking through.  Right in the foothills of the Sierra Madres.

This Tiger Heron was a fun spot!

Caracara was bird of the day.  He was everywhere--mostly perched high on top of cactus--don't know how he does that!  Tough feeties--to tear his prey apart, I guess.

There were about 6 miles of that road that was not paved.  Little rough in spots.

Thanksgiving dinner was Chicken Enchiladas with white sauce for Will and I had Camerones (shrimp) cooked in lots of garlic.  Flan for desert.  About as good as turkey, I'd say.  The little restaurant was off the town plaza so after dinner we walked around the beautiful old church that is the center of the plaza.

Thanksgiving in Mexico

We left Tucson before the crack of dawn so that we could cross the border at first light because we had a long day of driving ahead of us.  Turned out to be a pleasant drive through Sonora, Mexico--no delays at the border--sometimes it takes a long time to get visa processed and even longer to get car permit but no lines yesterday.  We made one wrong turn in Hermisillo but quickly saw our mistake and got on the right road again and were checking into Rancho Acosta in Alamos by 4pm.

     

Had time to settle in and relax before a short drive around town to reaquaint ourselves to the layout of this beautiful old Spanish Colonial town.  Then for a dinner at a restaurant we remembered.  No hesitation, I ordered Sopa de Queso.  (Cheese soup) Just as delicious as I remembered.   Creamy broth with chunks of fresh Mexican cheese that stays firm in the hot broth.