WHITEWATER DRAW

On Friday, the 8th of February, we went with Stein and Colleen to Whitewater Draw to see the Sandhill Cranes.

On our way there we saw this group of Yellow Headed Blackbirds.  There must have been hundreds.  This is the best picture I could get because if we tried to get out of the car to take the picture closer they flew away.  There were also some Brown Headed Cowbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds and Redwinged Blackbirds mixed in, but as you can see by the picture the majority were Yellow Headed.

Above are Sandhill Cranes coming in for a landing.  We didn't get to see the major lift off, but we did get to see many of them landing.

There were also Snow Geese mixed in with the Sandhill Cranes

It wasn't real cold, but very windy.  Bob had to hold on to his hat so it didn't blow away!!

The highlight of my day was to see these Great Horned Owls!  They were perched in a shed like structure.  We even had our lunch on a picnic table right below them.  They never took their eyes off of us.

At first I didn't think they were paying attention to us, but I walked around behind them to take a picture from the back and as you can see their heads followed me.

I thought this picture of these Pintail Ducks was interesting.  They had all bobbed down at the same time!

BOTTOMS UP!!

We also saw a Great White Egret

And a Greater Yellow Legs

We also saw many, many Redtail Hawks.  

It's a long way to Whitewater Draw from Green Valley, but time well spent.

THANKSGIVING 2012

I am slow getting this Thanksgiving blog out, but for some reason when I tried to put it on just after Thanksgiving, the blog witches said I had to buy space.  Now you all know me and my Scottish blood!  Anyway today I tried it and so far it is working.

This was our first annual Thanksgiving get together in the Fiesta Room over at the rec center.  We sent out e-mail invitations, and after we received confirmation of attendees, we assigned a dish for them to bring.  

Shirlie picking her place

Dick, Tom and Bob 

Kate and Cindy

Ron - ??? 

Barbara, Doc and Jean

Jacke

Cindy and Jim

                                                   Good food!!

Looks kinda like the "Last Supper"?

Group picture.

This worked out so well we did it again at Christmas. (that blog to follow at a later date.)

LAST WEEK IN GREEN VALLEY

Last Saturday we went to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge,  about an hour from Green Valley.  The refuge was started in 1985 to provide a breeding and sanctuary for the Masked Bobwhite and also habitat for the Pronghorn Antelope.  On this day they were having a fair to show the diversity of the refuge.  

On our way to the refuge, we stopped at Arivaca Cenega to see if there were any birds about.  

This is a beautiful old Fremont Cottonwood

Baboquivari Mountain in the background

Bob birding

Once at the refuge we wander the grounds.

A place set up to learn archery

Lots of booths

A male American Kestrel eating lunch

Don't have a comment for this one!

Music

On Sunday, Shirlie had an "all girls" party.

Cindy, Shirlie, and Marilyn

Marilyn, Yvonne and Baby

Yvonne and Lynn

From right to left: Mary, Maureen, Sally, Jean, Judy and Barbara

Our message to Marg who won't be here until December

Our weeks are starting to get busier so maybe my blogging will pick up.

CAMERA CLUB'S ANNUAL MYSTERY TRIP

Another successful mystery trip!  Every year Carl organizes a photo op trip and no one knows where it will be until we arrive at our destination!  This year's trip took us to the Cienega Creek Llama & Alpaca farm.

Carl, organizing another trip I'm sure!

One in every color!

Posing for the cameras

Such sweet faces!

The little brown Alpaca above was Bob's favorite.  He was a beautiful chocolate color - of course he was Bob's favorite!!

 This Billy Goat was wandering around with the Llama's and Alpaca's.  I don't know how they stood him - he was smelly!  But cute.

 Interestingly, they have to shear off the teeth on these animals as they tend to get to long.  This little guy is in need of a good dentist!

Melissa was our guide and told us all about the farm and the animals.  

 There were also two Poitou Donkeys, a horse, Emu's, Pygmy Goats, and a couple of dogs.

 As we were getting ready for the picture below we all started to count, one, two, three and so on and as we were counting all the Alpaca's ran over and looked at us (above).  It was so funny!

Cienega Creek Farm is the largest Alpaca farm in Arizona. What a fun and interesting day.