Tucson, AZ ~ Tohono Chul revisited

This hummingbird has spines from a cactus stuck in her abdomen.

Today's visit was going to be a bird walk but since we were walking with a herpetologist, we covered lots more than just birds.  It was a great walk. A view of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake but not to close was included.   There are many species of lizards at the park.  And many butterfly species were flying and laying eggs.  I was amazed to find a hummingbird with spike of cactus stuck in its belly.

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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Zebratail Lizard

Desert Spiny Lizard

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Empress Leilia Butterfly

Fatal Metalmark Butterfly

Pipevine Swallowtail Eggs.  Many butterflies in the swallowtail family seen
but none stopped to nectar in my view.

Texan Crescent Butterfly

Unknown Skipper possibility is Orange Skipperling

Oro Valley Area, AZ ~ WOW Arizona

My stay for the past few days has been at the WOW Arizona Bed and Breakfast booked through AirBnB.  CJ and Mary Ellen have lived on this property for more than 30 years.  When they bought it, the property was all rocks and desert but slowly over time they transformed it into the wonderful nature preserve that it is today.  They have done an incredible job and CJ maintains it on a daily basis.  His days are busy changing out feeders, watering different areas, racking the paths, weeding and a myriad of other jobs that a property of this size entails.  It's a labor of love for them and it shows. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area.  He has numerous hummingbird feeders, seed and suet feeders and some of the birds come to him for food.  I saw 28 species of birds here, lots of butterflies, javelina and more.  I had my best looks of a Zone-tailed Hawk here.  There were some birds here that I heard that would have been life birds for me but I only count them if I actually see them.  Another plus for me was that it was close to Tohono Chul and several quilt shops that I wanted to visit.

The view from the upper patio outside my window.

More of the view outside. 

Black-chinned Hummingbirds came multiple times per day.

This Costa's Hummingbird was also a frequent visitor

The Verdin were everywhere and this one was building a nest.

Verdin make several nests and use a main one for raising their young but others for roosting overnight.

Pyrrhuloxia

Five Javelina came up near the house to eat.

Large Desert Spiny Lizard was a cool creature I saw there.