Kerville, Texas
to
Benson, Arizona
Fourteen Hours (with a few stops)
Taking the Interstate 10 - we pass through El Paso, Texas. One side of the multiple freeways and overpasses are high rises, businesses, traffic - the El Paso side.
On the opposite side, across the Rio Grande River, is the slum city of Juarez, Mexico.
The next few photos I borrowed from google
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Government Enforcers
As of March 21, 2020, the US-Mexico border crossing became restricted at the Paso del Norte Bridge in EL Paso (a major border crossing between the US and Mexico), due mainly to Covid-19. This is among the United States' busiest border crossings.
Oct 2019
Image posted online by reporters and advocates painted a disturbing scene as lines of migrants were being processed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
In Oct 2019, mass asylum-seekers were in pursuit of asylum from Central America and Mexico.
April 3, 2020
The flow of people has decreased at the Paso del norte border bridge as travel restrictions and tighter immigration policies come into effect during the coronavirus outbreak.
Businesses are being affected and families are being split as they fear a total border closure. Many families live in Mexico or El Paso and cross the border for work.
Then comes COVID-19, on top of an already distressed border.
APRIL 20, 2020
Strikes have spread across the Mexican city, involving hundreds of workers demanding the closure of non-essential factories, which have been kept open despite the growing death toll from the Covid-19. Therm-O-Disc Emerson plants protested the nonessential production of thermostats without protective equipment. Workers were told there are "essential" and were threatened with reprisals and offered a $17 bonus per week to shut down opposition.
Some businesses have called on the police to force striking workers back into the plants.
So begins a new chapter . . .
BENSON, ARIZONA
We arrive about ten minutes after closing time, they expected us and did a quick exam on Tazz. She is booked in the following morning for bloodwork and overall check-up, extraction of the front tooth and teeth cleaning, and by the end of the day we would pick her up.
We had four days in this small town. Took in an evening of Thanksgiving turkey dinner put on by the RV Park and potluck side dishes from residents. It was unbelievable. I believe they had roasted eight turkeys and there were probably 80 people in attendance.
Most people in the park are permanent residents (most are over 80). They had so much food that the next afternoon, they had a brunch with leftovers and music and entertainment.
We did a day trip to Tombstone and came back at the end of the party and they loaded us up with leftovers! Felt like mom and dad were sending us off with a care package.
In Oct 2019, mass asylum-seekers were in pursuit of asylum from Central America and Mexico.
April 3, 2020
The flow of people has decreased at the Paso del norte border bridge as travel restrictions and tighter immigration policies come into effect during the coronavirus outbreak.
Businesses are being affected and families are being split as they fear a total border closure. Many families live in Mexico or El Paso and cross the border for work.
Then comes COVID-19, on top of an already distressed border.
APRIL 20, 2020
Strikes have spread across the Mexican city, involving hundreds of workers demanding the closure of non-essential factories, which have been kept open despite the growing death toll from the Covid-19. Therm-O-Disc Emerson plants protested the nonessential production of thermostats without protective equipment. Workers were told there are "essential" and were threatened with reprisals and offered a $17 bonus per week to shut down opposition.
Some businesses have called on the police to force striking workers back into the plants.
So begins a new chapter . . .
BENSON, ARIZONA
All Creatures Veterinary Clinic
We arrive about ten minutes after closing time, they expected us and did a quick exam on Tazz. She is booked in the following morning for bloodwork and overall check-up, extraction of the front tooth and teeth cleaning, and by the end of the day we would pick her up.
Everything went well and we picked her up at 4:00
She was not impressed when we picked her up and totally aloof through the next day.
She was not impressed when we picked her up and totally aloof through the next day.
San Pedro RV Park in Benson
We had four days in this small town. Took in an evening of Thanksgiving turkey dinner put on by the RV Park and potluck side dishes from residents. It was unbelievable. I believe they had roasted eight turkeys and there were probably 80 people in attendance.
Most people in the park are permanent residents (most are over 80). They had so much food that the next afternoon, they had a brunch with leftovers and music and entertainment.
We did a day trip to Tombstone and came back at the end of the party and they loaded us up with leftovers! Felt like mom and dad were sending us off with a care package.
Downtown Benson - this is it. One main street (population of just under 5,000).
Benson Ice Cream Stop
Just behind us, on a walk towards the desert wash is one of my favorite birds
- the Roadrunner!
Meep, Meep!
And in someone's yard is this tree with several doves.
Eurasian Collared Doves (they are different from the usual Mourning Doves we see in Arizona). These birds are native to Europe and Asia, eventually introduced into the Bahamas in 1974, it spread to Florida and is now common across much of North America.
DAY TREKK TO BISBEE
Just turning from major downpour to wet snow.
End of November, the weather is cold and rain turning to snow as Bisbee is at an elevation of 5,500+ feet in the Mule Mountains (82 miles southeast of Tucson).
Few businesses are open and the streets are quiet.
Our reason for heading here is to pick up several pounds , like 20, of our favorite Old Bisbee Roasters coffee beans (one of the best, in our opinion and we are coffee snobs).
When in the U.S. we get it shipped (free to any state) to us as we travel along.
Shut!
Bisbee is a very interesting town - an old mining town, turned into a historical restoration of the city's copper-mining past. Built on extremely steep hillsides of the Tombstone Canyon. Queen Mine offers underground mine tours.
Water is rushing down both sides of this steep and narrow roadway.
The water runs down under an over pass with this signage:
Tombstone
We pass right by this cool western town as we head back to Tucson.
This means trouble!
(A fight and possible gunfight is about to occur)
Whip into shape! or else . . .
A one-man band - Johnny Bones
Young cowboys in training!
A custom barbecue
(at the Legion)
Exiled Bastards?
(not my words)
RINCON WEST - TUCSON, Arizona
Dec 3, we arrive in Arizona and settle in at Rincon West RV Park until the end of February.
Tucson and area
South of Tucson near the Mission San Zavier del Bac
On our way to Green Valley for pickleball is the Mission San Xavier del Bac (historic Spanish Catholic mission).
Kennedy Park Fiesta Area
This amphitheater area is always abandoned during the winter months, making a perfect place to take Tazz and trail head that leads into the Saguaro National Park Region, the eastern section. The Saguaro park covers an area of 91,445 acres.
This is perfect - a five minute drive from the RV Park (there is no play area or walking area within the RV park - just a small gravel dog park for doggies to socialize).
This winter was especially green - they have had a lot more moisture than previous winters.
One more frequent flyer - was this American Kestrel. The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in N. America. They vary in size from about a blue jay to a mourning dove.
This photo was taken during daylight hours so you can see the markings and contrast coloring.
(Photo I took at a free flying raptor show, Vancouver Island).
One evening, playing with Tazz in front of the amphitheater I notice large dark spots in the distance.Made sure Tazz stayed where she was (there is fencing) but I slowly walk closer and get some photos through the fence.
A herd (called a squadron) of wild Javelinas.
Emphasis on 'evening.' All the critters come out when the humans go in, so capturing photos is a bit of a challenge.
Javelinas weigh between 44 and 88 pounds and range from about 3 to just over 4 feet in length.
They are collared peccaries, not pigs or wild boars. They are social and live in large or small herds. A squadron consists of six to nine members that travel and live together.
Their favorite food is the prickly pear cactus which provides enough moisture that they rarely need water. They have been interpreted as charging but it is often just that they are extremely nearsighted and will bite if cornered.
While Marc is playing
I go for the afternoon to the
DESERT MUSEUM
First stop was the Hummingbird Aviary.
I did notice that there were alot less birds from my last visit and no nests (same time of year, almost to the day). I saw Anna Hummingbirds but no Costa's and no nests.
They live in semi open desert lowlands (among mesquite, paloverde, saguaro, and organ pipe cactus). Harris's Hawks hunts in packs and nest in groups.
Maybe this is a good sign - that many animals are not injured and hanging out in nature!? I hope! The less in captivity, the better.
Next posting will be Arizona, prior to heading back home. Mostly about a fabulous opportunity I had with a photography group for three days on a ranch.
A short climb and we have a gorgeous view of Tucson and the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Kennedy Park Fiesta Park/amphitheatre.
Panoramic View
Phainopepla (silky flycatcher)
They eat mistletoe berries and catch insects in mid-air. Known for their shiny black appearance and staring red eyes.
I would see two, sometimes three every day I came to the park.
Another frequent flyer at the park is:
Vermillion Flycatcher
This flycatcher is incredibly fast and very shy. Difficult to capture photos. They are small, the size of a house finch.
The males are brilliant red and black (females are brownish with a white breast and reddish belly).
An empty nest from a very architectural bird.
One more frequent flyer - was this American Kestrel. The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in N. America. They vary in size from about a blue jay to a mourning dove.
This photo was taken during daylight hours so you can see the markings and contrast coloring.
(Photo I took at a free flying raptor show, Vancouver Island).
One evening, playing with Tazz in front of the amphitheater I notice large dark spots in the distance.Made sure Tazz stayed where she was (there is fencing) but I slowly walk closer and get some photos through the fence.
A herd (called a squadron) of wild Javelinas.
Emphasis on 'evening.' All the critters come out when the humans go in, so capturing photos is a bit of a challenge.
Javelinas weigh between 44 and 88 pounds and range from about 3 to just over 4 feet in length.
They are collared peccaries, not pigs or wild boars. They are social and live in large or small herds. A squadron consists of six to nine members that travel and live together.
Their favorite food is the prickly pear cactus which provides enough moisture that they rarely need water. They have been interpreted as charging but it is often just that they are extremely nearsighted and will bite if cornered.
Evening descends and the skies light up.
Wispy and beautiful evening clouds.
And, time to leave the park after admiring the view of the city under the moonlight.
While Marc is playing
I go for the afternoon to the
DESERT MUSEUM
A typical view around Tucson
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum (nine years ago since I have been here).
First stop was the Hummingbird Aviary.
I did notice that there were alot less birds from my last visit and no nests (same time of year, almost to the day). I saw Anna Hummingbirds but no Costa's and no nests.
A squirrel in the bear enclosure, eating a grape (bear was nowhere to be seen - in hibernation!) and there were several escape routes for the squirrel!
A caracara (now the second time I have seen one. First time ever seeing one was in San Antonio, Texas - wild). They are part of the falcon family, birds of prey.
Igauana - also hanging out in the bear enclosure.
Now, I take in the free flying raptor show
I see the line up for the 2:00 pm show and think - oh - I am going to have difficulty getting photos. Not so! Everyone has an opportunity as they feed and have trained the birds to fly to several different areas.
First up, is the Barn Owl
Although this is not a 'wild' owl, you still have to anticipate where they are, landing and capturing them. They roost in cavities, abandoned barns and other buildings (that is why they were called 'barn' owls).
HARRIS HAWKS
They live in semi open desert lowlands (among mesquite, paloverde, saguaro, and organ pipe cactus). Harris's Hawks hunts in packs and nest in groups.
(The raptor show was extremely shortened from nine years ago but still amazing!)
Maybe this is a good sign - that many animals are not injured and hanging out in nature!? I hope! The less in captivity, the better.
And, I close with our closest, wild animal at night .....
Miss regal Tazz! (at ten years old)
Next posting will be Arizona, prior to heading back home. Mostly about a fabulous opportunity I had with a photography group for three days on a ranch.
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