One more Tucson door

Another door in Tucson - working on shadows and light composition . . .

Tucson Doors

Rog went on a trip to Tucson on Monday with his camera club group to photograph Tucson doors. They were downtown in the Barrio district - just a few attached - he had 96 pics when he came home!!

Jumping Cactus

Rog took this photo of a Cholla cactus near here - the little green globes fall off the plant with thorns intact. Vicious!

Sunday at Bark Park

Murphy has had a day of it! Ready to go home and nap!













Wilson's tongue is hanging out, too. He is finally figuring out what he is supposed to do at the dog park! He actually chased a little dog today - Angel - who is an 8 pound pug/chiuaua (SP?) mix! Really funny. Everyone enjoyed watching the chase!

When new dogs arrive, those already in the park wait by the door so that they can be the first to chase the new comers!

Willie is growing - still growing! He and I are going to obedience school, too. Good for both of us!

Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup

In search of some of this today . . . place I got it last year in Suharita (adjoins Green Valley) was out of it. It makes an awesome Margarita!! Driving to Tucson to check out some things. Rog needs a bigger xD card for his camera - taking lessons from the GV Camera Club volunteers - really interesting for him. I am learning about it, too.

		Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup The naturally beautiful magenta colored syrup made from prickly pear cactus juice is customarily used over pancakes and desserts, but is also used to make exceptionally flavorful Cactus Margaritas, Wine Coolers, Spritzers, and Prickly Pear Lemonade.

Saturday - January 12th

Watched football play offs - we are hoping for Green Bay v Patriots in Super Bowl! What do you think????

Spartans shocked at Iowa!!

Wow! Those Spartans played a TERRIBLE game last night! Not on TV here because we have cable - decided not to drive to Tucson to watch - thank goodness!! Watched on cstv.com - they have a thing called GameTracker which is pretty darn cool!! Play by play description of what is happening - photos pop up of the player when he makes a foul, etc. Lowest number of points scored by MSU since 1952!! Izzo said he was going to burn the game tape because there was nothing to learn from on it!! Score was 37 to 43 or something like that!

Cactus Correction!

The picture of the "cholla" cactus I posted earlier is not the Cholla after all!! It IS, however, the cactus that nailed me when I got out of the car!

THIS is the Cholla - the jumping cactus - in these parts.





And this is a closer up view of the Cholla that is ever present in these parts . . . they drop little green globular things with thorns all over them - these are what Wilson sat in!

Cholla cactus

NOW you can see those prickly thornes!!!

Landscape outside 549

Cholla cacti - these are the ones who have needles/thornes that just JUMP onto your body and then are the dickens to get out!

Neighbor's house

















Circle in front of the house

Javelinas

The other wild animal in this neighborhood - now I know how to spell it!!

The Arizona Department of Wildlife writes:

Pecari tajacu or Tayassu tajacu Though some people think javelina are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family, a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America. Javelina are common in much of central and southern Arizona, including the outskirts of the Phoenix area, most of Tucson, and occasionally as far north as Flagstaff. Javelina form herds of two to more than 20 animals and rely on each other to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature and interact socially. They use washes and areas with dense vegetation as travel corridors. Javelina are most active at night, but may be active during the day when it's cold. Arizona Javelina Description and Habits Peppered black, gray and brown hair with a faint white collar around the shoulders 40-60 pounds Approximately 19 inches tall Young born year-round, most often from November to March Average litter of two Newborns up to 3 months old are red-brown or tan and are called “reds” Live an average of 7.5 years Very poor eyesight, may appear to be charging when actually trying to escape Keen sense of smell Will roll in water and mud to cool off Scent gland on back; animals from the same herd stand side-by-side and rub each other’s scent glands with their heads; use scents to identify animals from different herds Need a water source for drinking Eat primarily plants, including cacti, succulent plants, bulbs, tubers, beans and seeds; sometimes eat insects, garbage and grubs Possible Conflicts with Humans and Pets Javelina will likely visit occasionally if you live in a semi-urban area near a wash or other natural desert. Javelina usually cause only minor problems for people by surprising them or eating a few plants. However, people should NEVER feed javelina; this can cause them to become regular visitors and lose their fear of people, creating problems for the neighborhood and often leading to the death of the javelina. Javelina occasionally bite humans, but almost always when people were providing the javelina with food; javelina can inflict a serious wound. Defensive javelina behavior may include charging, teeth clacking, or a barking, growling sound. Javelina may act defensively when cornered, to protect their young, or when they hear or smell a dog. Dogs and coyotes are natural predators of javelina, and they can seriously hurt or kill each other. Javelina around your home may inadvertently attract mountain lions as well, because javelina are mountain lion prey. What Attracts Them? Javelina usually visit homes to find food, water or shelter. Food for javelina can include lush vegetation and many flowers and succulent plants that people place around their homes. Birdseed, table scraps and garbage can also attract javelina. Water can be provided through chewing on an irrigation hose or by drinking from a pool or other water source around a home. Javelina will also dig and roll in moist soil during summer days to keep cool. Shelter can take the form of a porch, an area under a mobile home, a crawlspace beneath a house, or any other cave-like area. Javelina will seek shade during summer days and warmth during the winter, if these areas are not properly secured. What Should I Do? If javelina have become a problem or have caused property damage, you can do a number of things, listed below, to deal with the situation. Do your part to keep javelina healthy and wild because their removal almost always means death. Always work with your neighbors to achieve a consistent solution to the problem. To discourage a javelina, immediately: Scare off animals by making loud noises (bang pots, yell, stomp on the floor, etc.), throwing small rocks in their direction, or spraying with water from a garden hose or large squirt gun filled with diluted ammonia (10% ammonia and 90% water). If the animal is confined, open a gate, have all people leave the area, and allow it to leave on its own. If it is still there the following day, contact a wildlife control business or the Arizona Game and Fish Department. If you see javelina while walking your dog, avoid going near the javelina and quickly take your dog in a different direction. In an emergency: If a javelina is acting in an aggressive manner toward people, is contained and cannot leave on its own or be let out easily, or is in human possession, please call your local Arizona Game and Fish Department regional office during weekday business hours. After hours and weekends, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department radio dispatcher at (623) 236-7201. Remember, removal is usually a last resort: Removal usually results in the death of the javelina. In some cases, the javelina cannot be moved to a different location because it may have a disease or attacked a person. Research shows that most javelina do not survive being moved to a different area due to inability to find food, water and shelter; being separated from the herd; being killed by a car, predator or other javelina while defending its territory; or reaction to the capture. When property damage from javelina is severe and/or repetitive, attractants have been removed, and other measures have been attempted and failed to resolve the problem, the Arizona Game and Fish Department may determine that a javelina should be removed from an area. Also, wildlife control businesses are authorized to use repellents to deter javelina. To prevent further problems: Don't feed javelina! Feed pets inside or only what they can eat in one sitting. Don’t allow birdseed to fall to the ground and/or fence any bird feeding areas. Store birdseed, livestock feed, rodent bait and pet food inside. Do not leave quail blocks where javelina can access them. Pick up fallen fruit and nuts as quickly as possible. Keep water sources above the reach of javelina or behind strong fencing. Contain garbage and compost. Secure garbage cans with locking lids or by attaching to a fence or wall. Put garbage cans at the curb on the morning of pickup rather than the night before. Clean out cans with a bleach solution to reduce attractive odors. Landscape with plants that javelina don’t want to eat. Their favorites are cacti, succulents, bulbs and tubers, and any plants that drop fruit or nuts. They will generally eat most tender, new plants. Javelina resistant plants [PDF, 18kb]. Keep dogs on a leash and/or inside a fenced yard to prevent defensive attacks. Use fencing to deny javelina access. Electric fencing is the most effective around gardens; try a single strand approximately 8-10 inches above ground level. It is fairly inexpensive and can be obtained at farm and ranch supply stores. Check local ordinances before installing electric fencing. Use block walls or chain link fencing (4 feet tall) around the entire yard. Patch up defective fences and gates. Use a concrete footer buried 8-12 inches into the ground or electric fencing to prevent digging under. Check local ordinances before installing electric fencing. Use block or solid skirting for mobile homes, decks and trailers, or use electric fencing for a temporary fix. Block entrance holes to any crawlspaces after the javelina have left. (Spread flour on the ground at the entrance to check for footprints.) Look for products that can be used as helpful animal deterrents. Possible Health Concerns Rabies - Javelina can catch rabies, although they do not generally carry it without symptoms. Symptoms of rabies can include foaming at the mouth; erratic, hyperactive behavior; and/or fearful, paralyzed and lethargic behavior. If you see any animal with rabies symptoms, call 911 or your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office right away. Anyone bitten by a javelina must immediately seek medical attention from a qualified health care provider. Whenever possible, the animal should be captured or killed and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing. Distemper - Javelina are known to catch distemper, which can be transmitted to pets. Distemper is a viral disease that consists of fever, loss of appetite, coughing, and eye and nose discharge. Salmonella - Salmonella or other bacteria that commonly cause food poisoning sometimes take a toll on javelina herds. Symptoms include diarrhea, inability to walk, staying close to a water source, and death. Laws and Policies The department will sometimes remove javelina that are causing extensive property damage or have become aggressive toward humans. However, this is a last resort, and measures must be taken to remove attractants to prevent problems from recurring. Javelina are classified as a big game species. It is unlawful to injure or kill game animals, even if they are causing a problem, unless certain rigorous provisions under the law have been met. See Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations. It is unlawful to trap javelina. State law prohibits firing a gun within a quarter-mile of an occupied residence or building without the permission of the owner. Check your local city ordinances, but most cities ban shooting firearms within city limits. Some cities ban the use of slingshots, BB guns, air guns, or bows. Refer to ARS-17-239 on wildlife depredation and Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations for more information.

NOTE: Video files may require the free Adobe Flash Player. Ringtones [More] Wildlife Ringtones - New! (No Ads) 2008 Antelope & Elk Draw Regulations [PDF, 8.25 mb] - New! 2008 Antelope & Elk Draw Regulations (w/Ads) [PDF, 14.2 mb] - New! 2008 Urban Fishing Regulations [PDF, 2.3mb] - 2008 Spring Hunt Draw Regulations [PDF, 6.64mb] - 2007-2008 Waterfowl & Snipe Regulations [PDF, 1.33mb] - 2007-2008 Dove & Band-tailed Pigeon Regs. [PDF, 1mb] - 2007 Sandhill Crane Regulations [PDF, 218kb] - 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations [PDF, 8.85mb] - Advertising in 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations [PDF, 9.91mb] - Hunt Permit/Tag Application Form [PDF, 312kb] - 2007 & 2008 Amphibian and Reptile Regulations [PDF, 170kb] - 2007-2008 Fishing Regulations [PDF, 4.7mb] - 2007-2008 Raptor Regulations [PDF, 33kb] - Arizona Residency Requirements [PDF, 202kb] - Hunt Arizona: Survey, Harvest and Draw Data NOTE: The following files are PDF's and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.For text-only, use Adobe Access.

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Bobcat Sighting!!

And in OUR yard!! The cat headed toward the wash to the north of our house . . . I did not see him, but Rog and the Sears repair man did! Got the dogs inside as quickly as possible! Got the camera - no more sightings. That's a good thing, I think. Rog said he was a dark charcoal, about 40 pounds, and strutted his stuff like he owned the place!! Gees! People here warn you about them - also the Havalinas!

What a way to start the day!!

Living With Bobcats

Additional Arizona Wildlife pages - - Bobcat - Javelina - Coyote -

Lynx rufus or Felis rufus Bobcats are common throughout Arizona at all elevations, especially in rimrock and chaparral areas, and in the outskirts of urban areas where food is readily available. Bobcats are generally seen alone, but groups may consist of mating pairs, siblings, or mothers with kittens. Bobcats are most active around sunset and sunrise, and it is not uncommon to find one napping under a shrub in a brushy backyard. Individual bobcats will defend a territory of one to 12 square miles.

Bright and sunny - 33 this a.m. but up to 68 or so this afternoon. Morning temps are similar to those in Michigan today.

Yesterday!

Yesterday absolutely flew by!! Rog went to his Yogacise class while I did some housework. He came home after some hot tub time following the exercise class. Said the only "Yoga" part of the class was the cool down. Every single muscle in his body got worked out well! Made for a subdued Rog for the rest of the day!

He was watering some plants outdoors and asked the neighbor where the lot lines were - impossible to tell! She - Kathy - got the map out and every single lot is a perfect circle!! What a surprise - no wonder the firemen call this area "the jungle"!

Kathy and Charlie have two Yorkies who like our Welshies. Fun for all. Kathy invited us in, offered some wine and then supper, MSU basketball on TV - that made the day!! Lots of fun. Charlie and Kathy have done several "fix and flip" houses. They buy houses for a song - fix them up - then sell for a profit. All was well until the housing downturn. So they put their Colorado house and another home there on the market - both sold quickly! So they ended up here. They totally redid their formerly pink house so very nicely. Neighbors were complaining though because they had used "the pink house" as a location for directions to their own houses!

Errands today - and the Bark Park - then going to dinner with Joannie and Bob. They are the property managers for our rental - the owner gave use both gift cards to an Italian restaurant here in town. Looking forward to it. Will have to get out some of my nicer clothes for tonight. Been living in pants and t-shirts plus a sweatshirt. Weather remains on the cool side - 60s - but it is fine with us! Sun is strong - makes such a difference. Locals still complain about how COLD it has been here. Then there have been tornadoes in the midwest - really unusual!!

Gotta get with the washing and other chores. #1 phone call on the list is an obedience class for me and Wilson.

Chewing

Wilson wants to chew everything! Including the antenna from John's phone!!!

Handmade Tiles outside 549

Much to enjoy outside the house - her tiles are very cool! We are the perfect people to rent this house!





















































Isn't this the coolest door???