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Posts Tagged ‘tucson’

Tucson Birding Events

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

The Tucson Audubon Society is having a wonderful lecture series right now called Living With Nature. The lectures are held at DuVal auditorium at the University Medical Center, 13 miles from our Arizona B&B.

Turkey Vulture

Tucson Turkey Vulture

This Monday , Oct. 12, look forward to a presentation on Urban Raptors and Urban Myths surrounding these birds. As more and more habitat is taken away from wildlife and used by humans, animals have begun to adapt to these changes. Birds of prey, which are some of my favorite, have their own unique methods for cohabitation.

On Saturday October 17 there will be a useful lecture on Ethnobotany. The conversation will introduce a wide variety of local and native plants and their various uses for humans and birds alike. Speaker Vincent Pinto will share his knowledge about various plant species that can be used for food, medicine, shelter, tools, rope, dye, fishing tackle, and even bird calls! The presentation will also cover how the same plants serve as vital resources for a diversity of bird species. The lecture is held at Green Valley Public Library, about 14 miles from our Arizona Bed and Breakfast.

Upcoming next month on Nov. 9th, Prof. Michael Rosenzweig will be speaking on reconciling the needs of people and wildlife.

We are glad that there is a great organization like the Audubon Society here in Tucson amongst our natural bounty. We are glad when our guests want to visit the Saguaro National Park East, and take in the beauty the the Tucson desert provides to both humans and wildlife.


“Tucson Monsoon Season – Finally!”

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Well…This is my very first blog post.
I was planning to write about the monsoon but we almost didn’t have a monsoon for me to write about.     Thank goodness we finally had a terrific monsoon storm here in our Tucson, Arizona. Phew!

Tucson Arizona Sunset

Tucson Arizona Sunset

Most folks around here in Tucson have been calling this summer season the nonsoon monsoon!
For those of you who don’t know what a monsoon is, well, it really is just another name for a big thunderstorm with high winds, heavy downpours and a great thunder and lightning show to boot.
The monsoon season or also called monsoon summer typically starts about the 4th of July and ends sometime in mid September.
I just love the monsoon season, there is something so exciting about it!
The monsoon is a time of renewal for the Sonoran Desert and all of the plants and critters that live here in it.
The typical monsoon storm starts building in the afternoon with some lovely big white puffy clouds that keep  building up larger and larger over the Rincon Mountains and over Saguaro National Park East. Later on, you’ll notice that the winds will start to pick up a bit, soon you will hear the distant rumbling of thunder.

Douglas Spring Trail Near Saguaro National Park East.

Douglas Spring Trail Near Saguaro National Park East.

The wind and the clouds continue building, the clouds start turning dark and grey and then the big event occurs with a loud crack of thunder and a grand flash of lightning comes a heavy downpour of rain.
The strange thing is, it can be coming down heavily on one side of town and the other side of town it could be bone dry without a drop of rain to be found. The monsoon storms can also put on the best fireworks show that you have    ever seen!
People come from all over the world and stay at our Tucson Bed and Breakfast, just  to photograph and paint the Sonoran Desert monsoon storms and the magnificent lightning  shows that can accompany them.
When the storm lets up, out come all of the desert critters and birds to rejoice in the life-giving blessed rain.

Monsoon storm at the Saguaro National Park East

Monsoon storm at the Saguaro National Park East

For me the very best part is the way that the desert air smells after the rain, so fresh and sweet like that of a wonderful sweet herb.
The wonderful sweet smell comes from a plant called, get this, the creosote bush. Such a terrible name for such a delightful fragrance!  They should have named it, sweet desert herb or something nice like that instead.
More to follow soon,
Tucson Innkeeper


Welcome To Alta Vista’s Tucson!

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Butterfly and bird watching abound at Alta Vista Bed and Breakfast

Butterfly and bird watching abound at Alta Vista Bed and Breakfast

We can’t wait to show you everything waiting for you on your getaway to Tucson, Arizona. Birding, hiking, museums, galleries, the list goes on and on. Alta Vista is proud to be one of the highest rated inns in the Tucson area, and close to Saguaro National Park East.