Gila Monsters are now out of their burrows for the summer so, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see one if hiking in the desert. They are poisonous but won’t bite unless handled incorrectly or unless you surprise them by putting your hand under a bush or rock where they are hiding. Enjoy their beautiful colors and let them alone to find their mate and put on weight for their winter hibernation. They were named for their early sightings along the Gila River and reminded some of monsters. They are really slow moving gentle giants about 12-18 inches long who only yearn to be left alone to mind their own business. This one lives on the 16 acre property of Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast and was photographed by a guest.
This Hummingbird is just one of the many visiting the blooming gardens at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast in Tucson. Three patios and courtyards offer tantalizing food options for these and other birds. In the back patio is a cactus fountain, rose gardens, and many types of desert blooms. Outside guestrooms on several of the porches and hanging in trees are other bird feeders. The courtyard with an old Mexican fountain has more of the lush garden plants that require more water. Bring your cameras and look for birds.
The courtyard gardens at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast are flourishing this spring. Potted plants in the Mexican courtyard are in bloom both against walls and around the cantera fountain. Guests can enjoy the floral display by lounging on a comfortable chaise lounge, from a shaded table or, if they’re lucky, from a window of the Patio Suite guestroom. Visit Tucson and see for yourself.
The most beautiful hikes I’ve recently taken was in Saguaro National Park East just off of the Javelina Picnic Area. The hike moved quickly up a landscape full of wildflowers, then curved down a short ravine and again up through gorgeous rock formations I hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention to the name of it, but it probably was the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail of which I only walked about 1 mile because of my conditioning. Because of the early warm weather, all of the wildflowers are a riot of color.
Two guests at our Hacienda are wildlife photographers and captured images of two Great Horned Owls in the palm trees in our back patio area March 4th. We, as well as our other guests, were captivated by their presence and great beauty. We all went out numerous times yesterday to watch them. To see other pictures taken by Bruce and Tamy Leventhal, click on this link. They also took pictures of our javelina which we’ll be adding to the gallery of our website.
Arizona wildflowers are now in bloom in Southern Arizona. Some that have been identified and photographed are Blue Dicks, Desert Anemone, Yellow Desert Evening Primrose, Chuparosa, Evening primrose, California suncups, Creosote, Chia, Blue fiesta flower,Lupines, Mexican poppies, Fiddleneck, Brittlebush, Fairy Duster, Desert Chicory, Coulter’s Lupine. You can find photos of those in bloom with descriptions and where they were seen at a popular website. Those staying at our Bed & Breakfast, located on 17 acres in the desert can enjoy some of those blooms as they walk our nature trail. We’re also right next to Saguaro National Park East for those looking for wildflowers while they hike.
Birders come in droves to Southern Arizona to see the Sandhill Cranes during the month of January. They are visible by the hundreds or thousands in areas near Willcox during this next month. Wings Over Willcox Birding and Nature Festival celebrates all things avian from January 12-15. There is a free nature exposition, a variety of free seminars, tours of scenic landscapes and historic sites, Sandhill Crane and Raptor watching spots, and a banquet featuring the Editor of Birding Magazine. For additional details, go to the website Wings Over Willcox. We encourage birding guests at the Hacienda to participate in the festival.
We at Hacienda del Desierto just returned from a tour that included the experience of cruising beautiful Canyon Lake on the Dolly Steamboat in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, just northeast of Phoenix. The captain was knowledgeable about the area and pointed out bighorn sheep right next to the lake and eagles up on the cliffs. For 1 1/2 hours he pointed out the wildlife and geology of the lake area. The Dolly steamboat provides protection from the sun or rain but also allows guests to walk outside on the open deck to experience the breezes and a better view of wildlife. We like to point out to our guests what Arizona has to offer not only in Southern Arizona but in other parts of our state. We’ve lived in Arizona since the early 50′s and never taken advantage of this lovely boating experience and will recommend it often.
Located on the historic Apache Trail (Highway 88) not far from Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix Arizona. Nature Cruises, Twilight Dinner Cruises and Astronomy Cruises are available year round.
Guests at the Hacienda are always intrigued by the javelina herd that come every day to our property. The herd maintains a size of between 15-18, and this week a new baby was added. Usually twins are born, but sometimes a new baby is too weak or gets pneumonia and dies. The entire herd protects any new babies from danger, so we must keep a safe distance at that time. Last week one of the herd came right up to our back door and stood there, not allowing us to leave. We didn’t understand why until we looked further out in the yard and saw the new baby. We don’t know why this week we have only one baby, but he is a real cutie. The javelina are particularly drawn to the area around our bird feeders because the birds are messy and seeds drop to the ground where the javelina can easily munch. Another favorite are Palo Verde tree or Mesquite tree seeds that drop to the ground. When they chew on the seeds, it sounds like the javelina are chewing on gravel.
We have created several wild animal ponds at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast, and we’ve been hearing the night songs of the Colorado River Toad. They appear when our monsoon rains arrive in the summer. They must be calling to their lady loves. Breeding then commences. They eats insects, spiders, lizards, and other toads. They then dig into the ground and hybernate until the rains commence next summer in Southern Arizona. We, along with our guests, hear them during the night. We advise guests not to try to catch or handle them as they secrete a poisonous milky substance on the skin that can make you sick or paralyze you if you should tough your mouth or eyes after handling them. They are the most dangerous to dogs who like to tease them. Then owners must rinse out the pet’s mouth to get rid of the poison–if they are aware of what happened. When we used to have dogs, we kept them in the house or penned during the night during monsoon season.
Outstanding Assistant Innkeeper
Arizona Opry Visit
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