Jim Hoagland Many from the Midwest and East are familiar with the Purple Martin (Subis) that roosts in Martin Birdhouses or gourds, but did you know our Desert Purple Martin (Hesperia) is a distinctive subspecies that times its nesting to our monsoons and is almost exclusively associated with saguaros or other large columnar cacti? Several…
Gerry Tietje When I was a young boy growing up in Wisconsin, I used to mix up syllables in words, like saying “aminals” instead of animals, or “flutterbys” instead of butterflies. As I grew older, I sometimes did it on purpose, waiting for a response from the listener. Regardless of what you call them, butterflies…
Gerry Tietje When I moved to SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) four years ago and took my first walk on the Nature Trail, I was both surprised and delighted to see a colorful Northern Cardinal perched high in a tree. I was familiar with cardinals from my boyhood in Wisconsin and schooling and work in Indiana, but…
Jim Hoagland The SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) Hiking Club and the Birding and Nature group recently conducted a “seed drive” to support the needs of Oracle State Park. SBR resident Laura Haslett, representing the Hiking Club, and Jim Hoagland, representing the Birding and Nature group, recently presented over 15 quail blocks, 850 pounds of wild bird…
Gerry Tietje When Dean Martin crooned the classic holiday favorite, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” I’m sure he wasn’t thinking of Southeastern Arizona. Winters in SaddleBrooke Ranch are mild, but occasionally atmospheric conditions are right for snow to fall, even here in sunny Arizona. It has only happened three times since…
Ben Eisenstein Get ready to look up, Saddlebrooke Ranch! If you love a spectacular night sky show, December has a huge treat for you. The Geminids meteor shower—one of the year’s brightest and most reliable celestial events—is about to peak. Mark your calendars for the night of Dec. 13 into the early morning of Dec.…
Jim Hoagland November marks the beginning of many migratory bird species visiting our pond at SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR). Some species stay for short periods, and others for several days or even months, like the American Wigeons, which stay here through mid-March. Although a few species, such as Green-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal, along with the…
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…
Gerald Tietje There are wonderful birding opportunities in the desert ecosystem surrounding SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR), but different species of birds are found at different elevations, so birding on Mt. Lemmon provides an opportunity to see many different species of birds. Mt. Lemmon rises to 9,157 feet in elevation, the tallest peak in the Santa Catalina…
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…