Here we are at the end of another Adventure in the Valley of the Sun, and beyond. In a couple of hours we will cross the 49th parallel and return to the land we call home. It is cloudy today with some sun. Hardly the 90F in our winter home. The deciduous trees are still bare although I think I can detect some sign of buds on some of them. The sky is mostly white although the sun peeks through periodically so that the local residents can claim it to be “spring”. The grass is a dark, rich green colour. Of course what this means is that I will need to mow the lawn as soon as we get home and then twice weekly for the next 2 months. But, I digress…..
We have been on the road since December 22nd, 2014. 94 days. We have had the time of our lives. We have seen amazing sights, made a few wonderful new friends, renewed old friendships, enjoyed the warm Arizona sun, participated is some fun activity, stayed out of jail and stayed healthy!
Looking back on our adventure I vividly recall the excitement and anticipation we experienced on our trip south, way back in December. California was memorable only for its fine restaurant food. We recall the sad story told to us by the farmer in Selma, Ca. who feared for his, and his fellow citizens future as California faces serious drought. The drought was in evidence on our return north as we drove most of the length of the state from Blythe through Barstow, Mammoth Lakes, Susanville and Tule Lakes before crossing into Oregon near Klamath Falls. The lack of snow in the high country of California was distressing and perhaps a sign of continued drought for California and neighbouring States.
Water, or the lack of it was a frequent topic of discussion during our time in Arizona. Water consumption is far exceeding reserves. The State has experienced some good rain in the past 6 or 8 months and as such the desert is green and looked the healthiest that we have ever seen it. However you cannot measure the state of the State by what you can see. Water comes from the Colorado River, several rivers in the State and from aquifers deep under ground. Water sources are being over utilized to the extent that within the next few decades water consumption will need to be significantly reduced. Farmers want their share, which currently is in the neighbourhood of 75% of what is being pumped or drawn from the available sources. Residential consumption is increasing as many new houses are being built. Golf courses and other recreational activities want their share and business want their share. So far governments have only developed plans to deal with the situation and there appears to be a lot of finger pointing happening, but little or no action. Dana and I still feel guilty about staying in the desert for 3 months and contributing to the problem. We continue to maintain a “small footprint” and practice conservation at all times.
Over the past 3 months I have shared a few thoughts on issues other than golf, birding, photography and fun stuff we do. In this, my last post in the Valley of the Sun - 2015, I want to speak to an issue that has occupied my thoughts of quite some time and since we left Green Valley, Az. a few days ago has been elevated from passing thought to significant issue. The issue is “beef”. Allow me to explain.
North Americans are in love with beef. USA per capita consumption of beef ranks 4th worldwide. Canada comes in around 10th. How is all this beef produced? Most beef is produced in feedlots. This inhumane practice is widespread in Arizona and California. Most of the rest of the beef that ends up in grocery stores comes from beef raised on the range. While feedlots are inhumane, at least in my view, it is ranching that is the target of my editorial.
Whether I am becoming ultra-sensitive to the environmental impact of cattle on the range, or on private ranches, it seems to me that there are far more cattle on the range today than at any other time. This is my observation from our travels in California, Oregon and Arizona. Cattle are everywhere from the low lands to well into the alpine. We have seen first hand the wildlife habitat destruction caused by cattle. We saw it at Patagonia Lake State Park this year. Cattle are allowed to roam unrestricted at the south end of the lake, a habitat that would support water fowl and song birds. The destruction of the habitat at this location is distressing. While there are some birds at this location, the smell of bovine urine and manure is disgusting. Someone told me recently that if I think it bad now, you should smell it in July when the temperature hits 100F, plus. If it were a barn, or a barnyard then I would feel different. Shrubs, small trees, reeds and grasses are trampled or mangled. This is just one location.
Travelling around Arizona and California it seems that the number of head on the range is excessive to the habitat. Regulation should be in place limiting the number of head per acre. In addition, cattle should not be permitted in water ways, especially during bird migration (spring and fall).
If I am right and there has been an increase in cattle on the range, what is driving this? Our love of beef? The drought in California? Whatever it is we should all be concerned. What is happening is just not right. That's all I have to say on this subject.
This year we really "put the pedal to the metal" on our birding pursuit. The result has been that we have set new records for species observed, locations visited and photograph taken. At times it seemed like a job rather than a hobby but I just could not stop. I saw "I just could not stop", not "We....". Dana happily went along with me although there were a few times when she said it was time to "take a time out", and we did.
We had visits from Robin and Robert and Bud and Joanne. I thoroughly enjoyed the visits and I trust they did too.
We got into a nice rhythm with bike riding in January and February. We reconnected with Steve and Joanne which was fun. It does seem that our time with them was too short. It is amazing how busy everyone is and how much of a challenge it is coordinating schedules. Having fun is hard work ;-)
Our time on 14th street at the resort was fantastic. We had some great times with friends on the street. Bocce Ball didn't pan out as well as we wanted but we played our best match and thoroughly enjoyed our after match socials. We are already signed up for the league next winter and look forward to kicking some butt!
This years experiment of renting a casita in Green Valley for a week turned out better than we expected. The owners of the casita were very accommodating. The casita itself was wonderful. The access we had to birding locations in southeast Arizona was fabulous. The results of our birding was incredible, again I think exceeding our expectations. Plus, as a bonus, we stayed out of jail... (don't ask.... I'm not telling...)
In 9 months we hope to be enroute to Arizona for a new adventure in the Valley of the Sun. We have a lot of living to do between now and then. While I am not all that happy to be back in Canada at this time of year, the future is bright with possibilities. We intend to get out and give 'er, eh! To those who have followed my blog, and tolerated my editorials, I wish you good health and happy days ahead. I have enjoyed writing about our adventures and showing you the photos of our birds and some of the scenes we got to see first hand. Arizona is a magical place, one I can't wait to return too.
I leave you with a verse from a song by Jimmy Buffett. The song is called "Somewhere over China", but really you could substitute China with any country, state or province. I just thought the words spoke of how I currently feel.
We're all somewhere over China
Headin' east or headin' west
Takin' time to live a little
Flying so far from the nest
Just to put a little distance
Between causes and effects
Like an ancient fortune teller
Knowin' who and what comes next
I started writing this post this afernoon while sitting in the parking lot at the Bellingham Hospital. Dana’s Mom is on the inside getting care for a few issues. Lola was admitted yesterday afternoon and will stay in care until Monday when we are hopeful she can return home to the Point. I am dedicating this post to Lola with a special wish to her for a speedy recovery. Come home soon Lola. We all miss you!
I can't leave without posting a final photo or two from our trip. I took these photos in Sisters, Oregon. The bird is a Great Horned Owl and it is perched high above the forest floor in a beautiful Ponderosa Pine tree. Don't know why but it just seems fitting that the Great Horned Owl is the final photo of the trip. Enjoy!
