There have been many articles about whether Tiger Woods will make his return to golf at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship here in Tucson. It would be a great place to make his entrance back into golf. Complete opposite of the well attended and wild Phoenix Open (at least the 16th hole).

This tournament in Tucson has restricted ticket sales and a quiet crowd. The Tucson fans would be there to watch golf.

DiscoverTucson.org

Gila Monster

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

Catalina State Park hosted a Wildlife Exhibit yesterday, that featured gila monsters, a ringtail and coatimundi, and various species of snakes.

Temperatures are warming up and we are already noticing butterflies, bees, and reptiles returning to the desert. We have seen these venomous gila monsters in Ventana Canyon and the Catalina Foothills. And while they often move slow, we have seen them turn on a dime and run faster than we ever thought they could. So, while a treat to see, always keep a safe distance.

Neighborhood Watch

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

One of our favorite sites to document birds we observe is Aviatlas.com. You can create your own “bird hot spot” in your neighborhood. As you log sightings, it creates a “distribution” of various bird species and when they come through.

Aviatlas records all data in a scientifically rigorous manner to insure it’s usefulness for future research and studies.

Some of our favorite birding areas in Arizona include Tucson, the Santa Cruz Valley, Cochise County, Payson, and Flagstaff.

Visit Aviatlas.com.

Originally uploaded by visualriver

If you are looking for a new place to eat some delicious homemade food, try Buffalo Bistro at Copper Country Antiques in Tucson. We recently stopped by for Tortilla Soup and a sandwich, and they were delicious!

Click Here to see the Buffalo Bistro MENU and Here to see pictures of the bistro.

They are located inside of Copper Country Antiques – 5055 East Speedway Boulevard – Tucson, Arizona 85712-4736. Corner of Speedway and Rosemont. Call 520-326-2663 to place your take out order, or to arrange for catering. You may also make reservations for special Tea Parties with Amelia Grey’s Tea Garden.

Waterfall at Sabino Canyon

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

We were out at Sabino Canyon recently and were able to see a waterfall at the last tram stop. The Sabino Canyon stream was flowing swift and high over all bridges. The tram was able go over each. While walking and hiking were limited because of water flows, it did provide some rare sites for those riding on the tram, like this incredible waterfall.

For more Sabino Canyon photos – CLICK HERE, and for more information on Sabino Canyon or other local Tucson recreation favorites, visit TucsonMenu.com.

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

Catalina State Park, is 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams where you can camp, picnick, hike and bird watch. More than 150 species of birds call this park home.

There are magnificent giant saguaro cactui and today the streams were flowing swiftly. You can ride you bike on road or on trails, and it is a great place to walk your dog.

Enjoy some of our photos taken today in this beautiful park by CLICKING HERE.

www.TucsonMenu.com - Catalina State Park, Oro Valley-Tucson, AZ

Tucson Sunset

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

Another one of Tucson’s beautiful sunsets tonight. While no camera can do them justice, we have tried to capture those we see.

CLICK HERE to see some of our “Tucson Sunsets“.

DiscoverTucson.org

Old “El Rancho Robles” Dude Ranch in Oracle, AZ

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

We recently drove out to Oracle, Arizona (North of Tucson) and visited this old 1930’s Dude Ranch – “El Rancho Robles”.

While the great room does not have the baskets and rugs that you see in this old photograph, it still has the wonderful big fireplace.

We had the privilege of sitting in the “great room” of this historic old ranch and were granted permission to walk the grounds. Some rooms are rented as apartments and some as guest casitas.

The architecture is interesting and it’s shady grounds with running stream brings in an abundance of birds.

It may one day be on the Historic Register. Looking through the old pamplet (pdf), it looked like a place that offered great vacation experiences.

View more photos and other photos of Oracle, Arizona by CLICKING HERE.

DiscoverArizona.org

La Petite Gallery

Originally uploaded by visualriver

The newly opened La Petite Gallery is located inside of Copper Country Antiques
5055 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85712-4736
(520) 326-0167

Prickly Pear Cactus

Originally uploaded by SearchNetMedia

If you love cacti, like this heart-shaped prickly pear cactus, then you will love Arizona’s Botanical Gardens.

Some great places to visit include Tohono Chul Park, Sedona Botanical Gardens, Desert Botanical Garden, Tucson Botanical Garden, The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and the Arboretum at Arizona State University.

Click Here for more Arizona Botanical Garden information.

For more than one hundred years ranchers have raced horses at the site of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in southern Arizona. Even before there was a race track at the crossroads of State Routes 82 and 83 in Sonoita, wagon loads of families gathered here on weekends to camp and picnic, dance and listen to music, tell stories, and swap news. Best of all, they ran their horses, dubbed “steel dust” horses back then, after a renowned, powerfully muscled Texas Thoroughbred sprinter named Steel Dust. Bred to wild mares, Steel Dust and his descendents produced a line of nimble, quick, short-distance runners, later to become the foundation for the quarter horse registry.

Quarter Horse

Horse racing hereabouts has changed a lot since the turn of the century. Today, supervised by the Arizona Racing Commission, it’s called County Fair Horse Racing. The Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds features a fine race track, horse barns, covered grandstand, club house, and food concessions. The breeders and trainers are mostly professionals these days, and spectators no longer arrive in horse-drawn wagons. But there’s still a small-town, county-fair atmosphere, with cotton candy, cold soda pop, and lots of kids running around.

By the time County Fair Horse Racing arrives in Sonoita in late April, the circuit has already stopped in Duncan, Safford, and Douglas. As the weather warms the owners, horses, trainers, and jockeys follow the sun north to Kingman, Prescott, Flagstaff, Holbrook, and St. Johns, before dipping south again in late fall to Globe and Yuma.

It’s the first Saturday in May, the same day as the running of the Kentucky Derby, and from the shaded grandstand I look across the track toward oak-speckled grassy hills and a distant windmill. Post time for the first race is more than an hour away. A big tractor hauls a disk-harrow around the track, smoothing it. A tanker-truck follows, spraying water to hold down the dust.

Early bird spectators study their racing programs, reckoning the odds, picking favorites. The rail fence is covered with billboard ads for banks, feed barns, tire shops, restaurants. From its perch atop the darkened scoreboard, a solitary American kestrel surveys the infield grass. The air is bright and clear, a few high thin clouds streak the sky, the temperature is an ideal 80° F.

I tour the stockman’s area. Owners, trainers, grooms, and exercise boys and girls attend the horses. A farrier, working from a pickup tailgate, shoes a chestnut filly. Many owners, I learn, are hobbyists, training a horse or two as a sideline to their real work as plumbers, butchers, shop keepers, real estate brokers. Few expect to get rich running horses.

The trumpet’s fanfare summons the horses to post as I watch jockeys in colorful racing silks saddle up for the first race walk in single file from the paddock to the track. I make my way to the rail and turn to survey the gathered throng.

Fine ladies in floppy straw hats sip mint juleps. Teen­aged girls coyly flirt with honest-to-gosh cowboys, spit polished and pearl buttoned for the occasion. A large Hispanic family, at least three generations strong, focuses on the starting gate. I recognize one of the men, a trainer, from the barn area.

Suddenly, the track announcer shouts, “They’re off!”  Dust erupts at the far end of the track and, in seeming slow motion, the horses are running. The crowd screams. As I count off the seconds, “eight and nine and ten and…,” they’re past the grandstand, hooves thundering, jockeys in tight tuck position.

The horses pound through the first turn. The crowd’s roar swells as they head into the backstretch. I look for my pick, a pretty, long-legged three-year-old. She’s dead last, out of the running.

I’ll never be a good judge of horse flesh, but for pageantry and local color, action and excitement—nothing beats county-fair horse racing.

Golf is close by!

Hello Vacationeers!  We are experiencing beautiful weather now here in Southern Arizona with days in the 70s:  perfect for golfing.  

Inquiring snowbirds wish to know:   ”So, how close are you to the golf course?”   We typically answer with the cliche:  “About a stone’s throw away”. 

Well, we realize this measurement is very subjective.  I, for one, can’t throw anything worth a darn, much less a stone.  My big, strong, ex-Marine husband, however, can really throw.  Thus, his pebble may even score a hole-in-one here at the award-winning Rio Rico resort course…

Seriously,  it’s right down the street, take a left, and drive half a mile up to the entrance of the Rio Rico Golf Club.  The view shown here is from the townhome patio.  You can see the greens above the rooftops…  Close enough?

Hope to see you soon down here, with your golf clubs in hand!

Happy Holidays  and safe travels!

Veronica

Wings Over Willcox will be held once again in January (it’s on Martin Luther King weekend each year). This is a great opportunity to connect with other birding fans and to see some birds you can add to your life lists.

The Sandhill Cranes have been in Cochise County for more than a month, and they are wintering there on the Willcox Playa and in various places throughout the Sulphur Springs Valley, which stretches from Willcox south to Douglas. The cranes are a spectacular site. They cover a spot of land and are very noisy birds. Then when they take off, they are so cool watch! Here’s a picture taken by Diane Drobka, who works for the Bureau of Land Management.

Photo (c) Diane Drobka

You can still register for the birding and nature tours; they have a few spots left. You’ll need to hurry, though, if you want your first pick! The overnight to Mulehsoe Ranch Cooperative, owned by the Nature Conservancy, has been sold out since the first day! This has turned out to be a very popular part of Wings Over Willcox. Other tours like the excursion to area ghost towns sold out quickly too. I’m surprised the day-long photography workshops are not full yet. The workshops are a great opportunity to hone your wildlife photography skills!

New this year are the following workshops and tours:

• Easy Birding Sampler–a slow and comfortably paced tour designed for birders with limitations of endurance or mobility. Per Homer Hansen, chair of Wings Over Willcox, this tour will feature a lift bus with guides that are experienced in leading tours. “We’re happy to be able to provide that,” he said.
• Naturalist’s Saunter in Fort Bowie–a tour led by Vincent Pinto as he journeys into the incomparable beauty and diversity of Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
• Texas Canyon and the Chiricahua Mountains: a geologic comparison–where you’ll observe similarities and differences between the rocks and discuss basic geologic concepts related to their origin and decay

The entire weekend has a terrific diversity of opportunities to commune with nature and experience birding and wildlife. And, you can learn about the local history. There’s also a beginning birding class offered in Spanish!

To find out more, visit the Wings Over Willcox website (complete with a soundtrack of sandhill cranes) and register. You can stay in Willcox or at the surrounding areas.

The Valley Foundation has some great scholarship opportunities for low-income students who have a medium GPA and a good citizenship record. Applicants should be attending or planning on attending a 2-year or 4-year college. The deadline for submission is February 26th, 2010. Please go to www.metedu.org/rcac and click on scholarship searches to find out more info about this great scholarship!

There are also many other scholarship deadlines that are coming up soon, so now is a great time to begin looking for college scholarships!

So, the holidays are coming up. I’m already planning my Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll make apple pies for my fiance and his family this year. This will be their first taste of those pies. I hope they like them!

It reminds me of the first Thanksgiving weekend he and I took in Cochise County. We had dinner at Winchester’s in the Copper Queen Hotel. On Friday, we hiked off all those calories in Chiricahua National Monument on the Echo Canyon Loop trail. And then on Saturday we toured some wonderful homes on the Bisbee Historic Home Tour.

These annual events are lots of fun. If you’re heading to southern Arizona this holiday season, check out some of the events in Cochise County:

Nov. 25, Annual Douglas Christmas Light Parade

Annual Christmas Light Parade though historic downtown Douglas.  The light parade kicks off the holiday season with lighted floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa Claus.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: downtown Douglas

Admission: Free

Info:  Douglas Visitor Center, 520-417-7340

Nov. 27, Festival of Lights, Bisbee

The holiday season officially begins with a merry lighting ceremony and celebration in front of the Copper Queen Library. Santa will arrive in downtown Old Bisbee on a flashy fire truck with goodies for all children.

When: 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28

Info: 520-432-6016

Nov. 27 & 28, Historic Home Tour, Bisbee

Turn-of-the-century splendor comes to life when Bisbee residents open their doors. Visitors will get a glimpse into the town’s architectural history. Docents answer questions about the distinctive structures.

Info: Bisbee Visitor Center, 520-432-3554 or 1-866-2BISBEE

Nov. 28, Art Chairs of Bisbee Silent Auction

Bid on local artist’s decorated chairs done in a variety of mediums at the 6th Annual Art Chairs of Bisbee Silent Auction. Sponsored by the Bisbee Woman’s Club, proceeds go to a local charity.

Info: Bisbee Visitor Center, 520-432-3554 or 1-866-2BISBEE

Dec. 4 & 5, Christmas Apple Festival & Christmas Lighted Parade, Willcox

Events include a bazaar with handcrafted arts and crafts vendor, raffles and fun with drawings for door prizes, apple cooking contest and entertainment. The parade will be held at dusk (about 6 p.m.) on Dec. 5. Bring a friend and enjoy two fun-filled days of surprises and holiday shopping.

When: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Willcox Community Center

Admission: Free

Info: Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, 520-384-2272

Dec. 5, 51^st Annual Holiday Parade, Sierra Vista

This is Arizona’s longest running holiday parade and is a family event with Santa Claus, floats, marchers and bands.

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 5

Info:  520-458-6940; www.sierravistachamber.org

Dec. 6, Holiday Tour of Historic Homes, Sierra Vista

Visit the turn-of-the-century homes, still occupied by officers, on the National Historic Landmark District of Fort Huachuca. These homes are beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

When:  1-4 p.m.

Where: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Arizona

Admission:  Tickets $10 in advance, $12 day of the tour

Info:  520-417-6960

Note: Fort Huachuca is an active military installation. Stringent entrance requirements are enforced. U.S. citizens may enter with a visitor pass. Required documentation includes: vehicle registration and insurance, current, valid photo identification for driver and all passengers over age 13. Regulations may change without notice.

Dec. 12, Christmas on Main Street, Benson

Street vendors, local entertainment and the Saint David High School Choir make downtown Benson a holiday delight. This down home holiday celebration culminates with a visit from Santa and a tree lighting ceremony. Presented by the Benson Chamber of Commerce.

When:  10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Free

Info:  520-586-2842 or www.bensonchamberaz.com

DeGrazia Spanish Guitar Band

As part of Tohono Chul Park’s 2009 Fall Concert Series, the DeGrazia Guitar Band performed for Tucsonans on a beautiful fall evening last night. The concert area was covered by a canopy of  slightly illuminated trees, and it seemed as though the crickets were brought in to compliment the atmosphere. They too made wonderul music in between songs.

Domingo DeGrazia, and the DeGrazia Spanish Guitar Band were outstanding. They all have great passion for their music and the crowd loved it. We will be back to see them play again and you can too, as their local performance schedule is listed on their site. Domingo’s  Spanish, Latin and Flamenco guitar style is fantastic. He is also a very good story teller, and we enjoyed the story of how the band came to know Violinist, Beth Daunis. She makes beautiful empassioned music, dancing with the violin as she plays. The crowd really loved it. We know we did.

One of our favorite parts of the concert was Domingo talking about his father, and visiting the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun each year and his father’s gravesite where he composes a song. He played one of those songs he wrote as a tribute to his father, Ted DeGrazia. He would have loved to hear him last night, and we think he did.

Usually on this blog, I tell you about things to do in Cochise County. Today, I’m turning the tables. Where are you going for the holidays and what are you looking for when you get there?

Are you traveling to visit family and wondering what to do for fun after the turkey is gone? Or are you traveling to get away for some alone time.

What kinds of experiences are you looking for? Outdoor adventures? Exploring history, heritage and culture? Shopping? Seeking some new restaurants?

Leave a comment below and let me know! Over the next few weeks, I’ll respond by givin you some ideas to help you plan your vacation in southern Arizona if you’re heading this way.

Tucson Moonrise

The weather in Tucson is getting real nice, so come down and Discover Southern Arizona.

There are truly so many places to “discover” in Arizona, and Tucson is a great place to stay as your base.  Directly south of Tucson is the Santa Cruz Valley. To the southeast is Cochise County. Each is rich in history, art, culture, beauty, and great wine.

If you want to go north, then Casa Grande is minutes away, and great golf is not much further in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.

Venture just an a little more than an hour north of Scottsdale, and explore Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff.

Arizona is so beautiful and diverse. So, think about coming out West this winter to DiscoverArizona.org.

At sundown tonight, one of the Cooper’s Hawks paid the birds we feed a visit. Landed in a mesquite tree in the back to look for prey. It landed on both talons. The Gambel’s Quail started to “trumpet” the warning signs that danger was near and the hawk slowly lifted a talon, and held it there for a long time…as it was going to be used to strike. Even tucked it in for a bit (put it in his pocket), and pulled it out again. It saw me, and took off in the direction of the quail, but they were well protected in the thick desert brush.

To enlarge:

Raptor 1 Photo
Raptor 2 Photo
Raptor 3 Photo
Raptor 4 Photo
Raptor 5 Photo

There is GREAT BIRDING in the SantaCruzValley.com.

Tucson sunset tonight

But finally, the weather has cooled and the weather is spectacular outside. Tempatures are in the 80’s in the day and 50’s at night. A week from today, the highs are expected to be in the 70’s and the lows down to 50. Get the mesquite firewood ready!

They say (whoever they is) that the winter is supposed to be cooler and wetter than normal. We will let you know if that happens. 

CLICK HERE to see some of our TUCSON WEATHER PHOTOS.

Tucson has many wild animals native to the Arizona-Sonora Desert. This photograph is of a coyote taken today, and a bobcat taken yestrday in the Catalina Foothills in Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson Wildlife

What was a recent surprise, in the Catalina Foothills, is that a African Serval cat was found and captured, as recently reported by Tucson’s KOLD TV station.

CLICK HERE to see some of our Tucson Wildlife Photos.

I’m so excited to announce that my video of last year’s All Souls Procession has been selected to be the finale video shown at this year’s All Souls International Film Festival! The film festival is on October 29 at the Loft Cinema. Please come to the festival and support the procession, which is a grass-roots Tucson event and truly one of the most interesting experiences you’ll ever have.

Check out my previous posting to see my All Souls Procession video.

      STAR REPORTER’S GUIDE TO 10 FALL HIKES YOURS FREE

      “We have the perfect companion for you this fall. 

      “TEN HIKES FOR AUTUMN, by the Star’s Doug Kreutz, is a free trail guide to 10 lovely places best seen at this time of year. 

      “Try these trails in the days when the heat of summer begins to wane in cactus country….and when mountain forsest and river courses take on the colors of fall. 

      “Kreutz, whose hiking stories appear twice a month in Saturday’s Out &About, spends practically every weekend trekking trails in the mountains, canyons and deserts of Southern arizona.  Even after hiking and climbing in the Colorado rockies, Swiss Alps and other exotic locales, he says he finds the home-turf trails around Tucson to be some of the best anywhere. 

      “This pocket-size guide is free at Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway and 605 E. Wetmore Road, as well at Arizona Daily star offices, 4850 S. Park Ave.  And 1640 E. River Road. 

    “You can also find Kreutz’s hiking stories at go.azstarnet.com/trails.”

      Taken from the Arizona Daily Star  October 2, 2009

We made a really fun interactive feature this year to explain the significance of Dia de los Muertos. It’s aimed primarily at children, but I think it’s a fun for anyone. Spend some time clicking around – everything moves around as you move through the space. I’m proud to say I got a video production and editing credit as well as a programming credit on this one.