The Sounds of Nature
As you know in Litchfield and in Kilmarnock Al is always sitting outside — either on the deck, under the crab apple tree, or by the fire pit. I on the other hand rarely sit outside for very long. It is either too cool or too cold.
But in Tucson, I am the one sitting outside. I am really enjoying the "dry" heat!!! I know I'm going to freeze when I return to Minnesota!!!
My front row seat.
My view on the left.
My view to the right.
In the morning before everyone is awake I make my coffee and drink it on the patio while I both watch and enjoy the sounds of nature. I'm pretty sure that this one bird sings just for me!!
Yesterday morning I was able to coax Al to join me on the patio. The temperature was still within his "comfort" zone — below 70.
Again this morning as I was finishing an email, Al grabbed his coffee and breakfast and headed out the door to join me. Before he reached the table, he heard a sound and said that was a rattlesnake. Needless to say, we both hurried inside!!! And just as quickly the snake slithers away from us!!!
Ricky, the Rattler!
I have never heard nor seen a rattlesnake. And once is enough!!! LOL!!! But if Al hadn't identified the sound - I would have thought it was just some type of Arizona cricket or bug. Yikes!!!
I have now named the snake, Ricky the Rattler. Carolyn says snakes normally travel in pairs. So his better half is Rosey. I have my fingers crossed that I never met her.
I'm not going to let some "stinking" rattler ruin my morning routine!!! So I say tonight — tomorrow may be a different story!!! However, I do plan on making a lot of noise before I venture outside. And I won't be meditating outdoors. I'll be sitting there with my eyes WIDE open.
About a week ago I was going out the front door to put a few more items in the trash cans that Al and I had rolled out to the curb. It was dark so I turned the outside light on. Just as I was taking my first step outside I saw this huge and I mean huge! black spider on the sidewalk. Its body was as big as my palm. I had never seen a spider this big. I called Al to ask what it was. Carolyn thinks it was a "wolf" spider. Unfortunately, I didn't have the presence of mind to take a picture.
It looked very similar to this photo.
(Image courtesy of Pixaby.com)
I now only use the front door during the day and I don't tarry. And trust me my eyes are constantly scanning!!!!
A huge spider and a rattler what other species of nature will I encounter on this trip??!!
I’m still enjoying the heat and most of nature in AZ.
In hindsight I’m very grateful that I had enjoyed my early mornings on the patio for more than a week before I met Ricky. If I had met him on day one or two I would have been sipping my morning java and viewing nature from the inside looking out.
Now, back to Ricky and nature.
It has been a few days since Ricky and I were enjoying the patio together unaware of each other. Needless to say, the awareness of each other was NOT the beginning of the AZ branch of the Mutual Admiration Society!
Carolyn and Al keep assuring me that Ricky is long gone! They say there isn't any food and he doesn't like humans. It is interesting to note that they DON'T WALK their TALK!!! None of their tootsies have ventured beyond the patio door! And come to think of it - their toes haven't even come close to the inside of the door!!! LOL!!
I think they are just using me as bait!! And if a go outside X number of times and don't see Ricky - well, then they just might consider venturing outdoors — but probably not!! Instead of Ricky as an excuse, they'll say it is too hot!! Oh Please!!! It's a dry heat — one doesn't really feel the 104-degree temperature! LOL!!
My first day outdoors AR (after Ricky) I was a marching drum band with my pot and wooden spoon!! Not only did that take care of Ricky - it totally drove all the birds away! Even though I didn't see Ricky, my skin was crawling. But I was determined to continue to enjoy my java outdoors!
As I drank my coffee I was like an owl - constantly turning my head from side to side. My morning java was certainly not as enjoyable as before.
The next morning I decided to substitute the “pot and spoon” band with my version of a Flamenco dance! 💃 It's a very unique interpretation! I stomp my feet, clap my hands above my head and twirl around! If the foot-stomping doesn't scare Ricky away - I'm sure he will croak from belly laughter! In addition to my dance, I carefully scan the ground, the insides of the numerous pots, behind them as well, and check to make sure he isn't coiled around the chair or table. My feet were always propped up on the other chair. Since I made a quieter entrance, more of my nature friends returned.
Again no sightings of Ricky, but my skin still crawls!
The next day I see Mrs. Quail with one of her "young 'ens" walking where just days before Ricky had slithered away. I'm encouraged and a little less skittish!
On Sunday I didn't make it outside because I was watching Sunday Morning. It airs at 7 am in Tucson. But Nature rewarded me for my perseverance! From within the house, I was able to photograph a male cardinal, Jack the Rabbit, and Mr. & Mrs. Quail with their triplets! How nice to see all this nature! (Isn't Ricky interested in these critters??!!)
Finally, that “crazy” woman is calm and I can eat in peace.
Yes, Ricky is gone and I can finally eat instead of being eaten!
Let me present, the “Quail” family.
I’m getting more and more comfortable venturing outside. I don't expect to see Ricky any more - but I certainly have eyes wide open!!!
I'm still very much enjoying the dry heat and looking forward to my next adventure.
Butterflies
The butterflies that stopped by for morning nectar.
I had to wait a long time to capture this butterfly image!
Hummingbirds
Various humming birds stopped everyday for a little “petrol”.
Coming in for a landing.
Lizards
And then there were lizards.
Is the grass really greener?
Bummer, no grass anywhere to be seen!
Birds
Birds of every kind came to visit me every morning. Oh wait, it wasn’t me, they came for the vittles!
Quails
My all time favorite was the Quail family.
They arrived every morning in a very orderly single file.
If you look closely, you will see that they left in that same orderly fashion.
But at the feeding dish, it was complete chaos!
I hope from the photos you get a sense of the tremendous joy I experienced every morning with both the sights and sounds of nature. It was a wonderful way to start the day sipping coffee and enjoying nature.
It is truly amazing what we can witness in and from nature when we just sit quietly. Go out and experience both the joy and beauty of nature. Just be an observer, you will be rewarded.