Nearly 100 years ago, George Gaylord Simpson wrote his masterpiece about fieldwork in Argentina, Attending Marvels. I’ve been attending marvels all my life, and yesterday’s was a doozy! The early morning sun was just topping the Peloncillos, and already the land all around was well-lit. … Continue readingAttending Marvels
Continuing the nighttime-visitor theme, I couldn’t resist adding this photo!
As we dream––here in Portal, Arizona––the world outside is hopping! (Sometimes literally.) Gray Foxes come almost nightly to water during dry spells. Desert Cottontails are here, night and day. Cats stalk in, big and small. Canids too! Unlike the usually-silent foxes, Songdogs may announce their … Continue readingWho Comes By Night?
In recent Septembers, as part of our Rodeo-Portal Heritage Days, Elaine Moison and Dave Jasper have guided a field trip into South Fork, to discover and enjoy the wildflowers that flourish at the end of the summer monsoon. This year we found exquisite flowers, in … Continue readingAn Autumn Bouquet
My glimpse of an interesting bird at dusk was confirmed soon after when Dave Jasper called to tell us that he had just seen Rufous-backed Robins by the post office in Portal that morning. Rufous-backed Robin in Arizona Sycamore (Photos by Narca) Normally at home … Continue readingRufous-backed Robins Visit Portal!
Imagine: you’re immersed in the early-winter splendor of the Chiricahua Mountains. Dawn light on the Chiricahua Mountains (Photos by Narca) The air is brisk and glorious, and, hiking up South Fork, you settle into the depths and subtleties of the season… into the drifts of … Continue readingWinter’s Subtleties
Last night Alan and I ventured into Cave Creek Canyon above Portal, as wind swayed the sycamore branches, and a thickening crescent moon shone over the scene. We joined friends Dave Jasper and Rick Plage to see the location of a likely owl nest that … Continue readingA Western Screech Owl
Once again, drifts of autumn leaves shift with the winds in South Fork, in the Chiricahua Mountains. Madrone berries are peaking, and pulling in feasting birds. Above, the sky is frisky with mares’ tails, foretelling an impending storm. All this richness! Autumn along the South … Continue readingAutumn Musings
Wow––6 trogons in South Fork this morning! My first glimpse was of a plump bird, breast on, perched on a creek boulder. That breast showed a big white crescent, framed above and below by dark, and my first thought was, surely not a Ring Ouzel! … Continue readingFledgling Trogons!
Gila Monster in Portal (Photos by Narca) Gila Monsters have been uncommonly common this season! This is the fourth for me: two in Guadalupe Canyon, and two here, close to Portal. Quite a treat!