Gerry Tietje The moon has fascinated humankind throughout history. It marks the seasons of the year, and its cycle of lunar phases defines our month and week. The gravitational pull of the moon is primarily responsible for ocean tides, which influence maritime activities like commercial fishing and water sports. Sending men to the moon was…
Jim Hoagland August is one of the best months for birding in Arizona. In normal years, migration picks up and diversity of species peaks during the summer monsoons. There is no better way to enjoy bird watching this time of year than by going to a birding festival. They are organized to get you to…
Gerry Tietje When we moved to SaddleBrooke Ranch a few years ago in June, we heard people talking about the monsoons arriving soon. I had visions of torrential rains like those that occur in India. Happily, this didn’t prove to be the case. Monsoons in Arizona are relatively tame by comparison, but nevertheless, have a…
Gerry Tietje My wife Claire and I put together five different state bird puzzles in recent years, which piqued my interest in state birds. The assigning of state birds began in the 1920s after a campaign by the General Foundation of Women’s Clubs. Kentucky was the first to name a state bird and chose the Northern…
Gerry Tietje One of the wonderful qualities of life at SaddleBrooke Ranch is that we can experience different seasons of the year. We are presently in the “throes” of winter, but it’s really quite pleasant. We expect a few nights below freezing and a couple of light snowfalls, but nothing like in many other parts of…