Tucson Gem Show

The Gem Show is going strong in Tucson. We spent yesterday afternoon at the 22nd Street venue. Great fun. Always amazed at scope of "stuff" available. Rocks, gems, fossils, jewelry, art items, clothing,food, turquoise, amber, beads, silver, gold, native American artifacts, Tibetan crafts, . . .the list is endless. And there are vertually hundreds of venues all over town. It's a big deal in Tucson and brings venders to town from all over the world. More to check out later this week!

This is Copper "splash" art. Crazy.

Sand Hill Cranes and Hoodoos

Wanted to spend a Saturday out of town today. First stop, Benson, Arizona for breakfast at local breakfast cafe, then another hour to White Water Draw to see the wintering Sandhill Cranes. The thing is, you want to arrive about 10:30 or 11 in time to watch the thousands of cranes fly back to their roosting grounds from feeding in the surrounding farm valley. It's an impressive sight. . .well, it usually is. Today for what ever reason was a bit less spectacular. Mostly because we couldn't get a good look as they landed unusually far away from the normal viewing spot. Couldn't get any good pictures.

So instead of coming home disappointed we drove a little farther to Chiricahua National Monument.

Just hiked around, stopped and had a picnic lunch, viewed some particularly stunning spots, checked out the Visitors Center and enjoyed the landscape. It's a place like none other in southeast Arizona.

 

 

This cheeky Mexican Jay watched us closely as we ate our lunch and immediately flew down to grab any crumbs

Afternoon at Desert Museum.

It was time to get out into the desert. Hadn't done that since we got home after the holidays, and after our several trips across the country following Aeri. We both try to get out for a long walk several times a week. Today we drove out to Tucson's Desert Museum to "walk.".  

   It's been unseasonably cold here but today was a clear, warmer day--perfect for an outing. It was early afternoon when we got there--a lot of the animals were not "out." Perhaps midday naps. But saw plenty.

A few Havilenas looking for shade.

The Bobcat napping on a rock shelf in plain sight.

Special treat was the Burrowing Owls. Something almost comical about their actions.

A Caracara is a fairly new resident of Arizona.They are making advances into the US, farther and farther from Mexico every year. Actually a part of the family of Falcons.

Ever present Cactus Wren on a blue Copper infused rock. We figure we walked over 2 miles today and it was a fun way to get our dose of excersize. 

Queen of the Garden

Entered a Southern Arizona Artist Guild exhibition at local community center and was awarded an Honorable Mention. Feels really good. Nice comments from the judges

Emergency trip to dentist

My owl friend is still hanging around. He has shown up most every day. Yesterday he chased a Coopers Hawk off to reclaim his favorite perch in a mesquite tree.

  A sudden trip to the dentist. Thought I lost a filling while crunching down on some popcorn at the movies on Tuesday but dentist said wasn't lost filling.  I fractured a decaying tooth and cracked off a big chunk and needed immediate attention. They worked me into schedule and I now have a new crown. 

    So movie theater popcorn wasn't the real problem. Did enjoy the movie, "Boys in the Boat." Highly recommend it. Great feel good story.

Great Horned

It's a varitable zoo in our yard!!!  This Great Horned Owl has been hanging around last few days. Roosting in our trees. And looking so magnetic!

so comfortable that he turns his back to us!

At home

A nice Arizona sunset!  However--so much for leaving winter in Indiana!! Freeze warnings here in Tucson for the next couple of nights. And close to freezing in the 10 day forecast. Well, gotta say --sunshine matters!

  

Will put together and installed a shelf unit for my "stuff.". I have been storing my finished pottery in Rubbermaid tubs and was such a hassle to find something, or to even know what I had--to organize what to bring for a show--or to display for potential customers! Can't get over how nice it looks! Instead of stacked up tubs--well, a lot less of them.

 Thanks Sweetheart!  And then he went on to fixing my dishwasher that wasn't working. He is a keeper.

Home and a Bobcat!!

Back home in Tucson. A very late night flight got us home well after midnight. But flights were on time and no problems-- Obviously-- slept in this morning!!  

  An amazing surprise this afternoon!!!

Just happened to walk into my kitchen this afternoon and peered out the window to see this Bobcat just lounging on top of our side yard wall--looking in on me!

Had my phone in my hand so got some quick pictures thru the window. ( Those plants and things on my window sill.) He was not in any hurry, just gracefully turned and sauntered down the wall and slipped into my neighbor's yard. What a special Arizona moment. Just a whim that I even saw it!!

Is nice to be back enjoying Arizona sun-- we have experienced a bit of winter in our travels of late and decided we don't like it much.  Was, however, wonderful time with family over the holidays. Missing Steph and Reynard a lot right now!

Happy New Year