Mark - Naturally!

Well... we finally got that break in the weather we were so anxiously waiting for.  Our winters here are why we tolerate the summers, right?  With the change of weather comes a seasonal reminder, "DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE!".  I hate to repeat myself, but some recent incidents make it worth repeating.  I have received a number of calls lately, regarding wildlife encounters of the "too close for comfort" kind.  After just a little investigating, I learned that it was all due to someone feeding the animals.  Some intentionally, some not so much.  The sad reality is it all could have been avoided in the first place.  The Ringtail in the photo, a cousin of the Racoon and Arizona State Mammal, was trapped in the attic of a woman who fed her dogs outside.  When she discovered it was eating the dog food, she decided she should "help" it by feeding it in its own dish.  The Ringtail quickly moved in.  To make matters worse, this went on for over six months.  The animal by now had... More

 I have recieved many calls, recently, regarding home invaders of the critter variety.  Some of the folks who called were very shaken and visibly "unsettled" when I met with them.  Which brings me to this edition's subject.  This completely unscientific poll may help to discover why folks are "unsettled" by the sudden appearance of a critter in their domain.  Since fear is a learned behavior, I am curious to know what gives you the "heebie jeebies", and why?  How did you learn this fear?  Was it a personal experience?  Was it a warning from an elder?  Was it something you witnessed?  The following are common critters in our area.  Please list your #1 and why does it cause you to be, " unsettled"? (1.) snakes / rattlesnakes  (2.) spiders / tarantulas  (3.) scorpions  (4.) bees / wasps  (5.) rats / rodents  (6.) bats  (7.) other - please explain  (8.) all of the above! The value of this poll depends on your replies, so don't be bashful!  Mark - Naturally!... More

In case you haven't noticed, Summer has officially arrived here, in the Sonoran Desert.    My friends up North wonder how I can stand the heat.  "Easy", is my reply, " I don't have to shovel sunshine all winter".    I like it hot. I also like having the luxury of air conditioning, a swimming pool, and a refridgerator full of my favorite assorted, ice cold beverages.  I am truly blessed.  The problem is, our wild neighbors do not have such conveniences.  That is, until they find their way into our little oasis'.  When the temperature reaches 100 and stupid degrees and it hasn't rained since .....  yeah, I can't remember, either, our animal friends start looking for the closest, easiest source of relief.  Sometimes that occurs in our backyard.  Let's face it, they want the same things we do.  Food, water, shelter from the elements, and maybe a bit of privacy and security to raise our offspring.  The last couple of years, I have received numerous calls regarding... More

It's that time again! The time when kids are out of school and, hopefully, playing outdoors. Then moms everywhere are hearing, "Hey Mom, look what I found! I think it's hungry." It's our own fault. We have taught them to be compassionate human beings. And that is good. But then I get a phone call from a concerned parent about what to do with this baby ______ . Most of the time it is too late. Too late to put them back where they came from. Too late to recover from "good intentions". "I tried to feed it ____ , but it won't eat it." Or, "It's been eating ____." Not enough or improper diet has already doomed the innocent creature, despite the good intentions of someone attempting to "save" it. We have to teach our kids that while compassion is good, it also has a time and a place, like anything else. So what should we teach them? To be a good reporter. Here is where I saw _____. I think it needs help. Will you come check it out with me? Just because a baby animal appears to be abandoned... More

While going "green" is in vogue, these days, it has always made sense, to me. After all we have seen, from recent events around the world, how quickly everything we take for granted can be washed from the face of the earth. Japan, is just one of the many places that have suffered the wrath of Mother Nature's fury. So maybe we have learned that our natural resources are not infinite. That if we are not careful, we can lose everything. So let's use Earth Day as a reminder to not just "recycle, reuse", but to not waste, to not use, to spare the land, and lend a helping hand. Join a local group of volunteers working to "save". Not just money, animals, and resources, but people, as well. After all, who is going to suffer the most from human kind's misdeeds? Ultimately, it will be us. Hug your Mother Earth today. Hug her every day! Teach our children to hug her. "Green", "sustainability", "recycle". Buzz words? Maybe, but it makes sense, to me. How about it? What do you think?   Mark -... More

Just in case you thought you missed it, the Spring wildflowers have begun their seasonal dance with the warm breezes of the season. I know many of you were wondering if they were ever going to bloom, considering all the wacky weather we have experienced so far, this year. I have been out and about the valley and can tell you that they have us surrounded. They are popping up, everywhere. I truly enjoy watching the desert take on all the bright colors, in their many forms, some hidden shyly from the casual observer, some standing out, daring you to take a closer look. It is amazing to see some of the most beautiful flowers from some of the least likely of sources. What stark contrasts in colors, shapes, and textures. Wonders to behold, certainly, especially in this environment. Don't waste any time! Get out there and enjoy the bounty as they will not wait for you. Take a friend to share the adventure, and don't forget your camera! Mark - Naturally!... More

What are people thinking when they encounter wildlife?  Some recent events have simply boggled my brain.  For example, yesterday, it was reported in the news that a young woman in Alaska saw a Moose foraging in a park.  She decided she wanted to pet the Moose.  When she got too close it kicked her in the chest and shoulder.  Moose can weigh in over 1500 pounds!  There are more Moose attacks than Bear attacks.  Closer to home, I recently learned of a woman who puts out food for Javelina and Coyotes in her neighborhood.  So when one of her neighbors opened his garge door and a Coyote walked in looking for a handout, the startled man grabbed his rifle and fired.  The area is now minus one Coyote.  To make matters worse, it appears that she may have had pups.  Minus XXX Coyotes.  Some would say, "who cares?", but without Coyotes we would be overrun with all kinds of critters.  These highly intelligent and adaptive predators help to keep things in balance.  Imagine what will... More

Okay boys and girls, just a friendly reminder, it is that time of year again.  With the onset of Spring, and the warmer temperatures on the way, many of our more humble desert creatures will be "up and at 'em".  Many insects, arachnids, amphibians, and reptiles, will be out and about after a brief Winter's nap.  I have already encountered a few snakes and lizards in the last couple of weeks.  They are a bit lean and looking for a snack before they move on to more "delicate" business.  They can be very focused on their mission and not always looking out for us, so we have to be careful out there and watch for them.  No need to be frightened or worried.  Just be alert and careful.  Despite many tall tales of the "Old West", these denizens of the desert are happy to be left alone.  Remember, take your camera to record your adventures and share them with friends who were not fortunate enough to be there with you when you "came this close to....."!   That reminds me, I... More

Have you ever been out hiking and notice that you are not the only one leaving footprints on the ground? Have you ever wondered what kind of critter left those tracks behind? If you get down there and look closely, you will see that many animals have left behind the telltale marks that will give away their identity. From beetles to bobcats, they all make an impression. And that is not all they leave behind that gives them away. So here is an opportunity to discover and learn more about who's wandering around out there.   Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 9-11 am, there will be a presentation at the Hassayampa River Preserve. It is located at 49614 Highway 60 (mile post 114) Wickenburg, AZ 85390.   You can call (928) 684-2772 for more information and pricing, or log on to www.nature.org/hassayampa   It is just about half an hour from here, and there are lots of things to see and do there. They have a number of short hiking trails (half a mile or less), that wind around through... More

I know.  It is not one of my favorite things, either.  But it can have its rewards.  My daily work schedule requires me to be in at 5am.  I am tired just thinking of it.  So it is dark when I arrive at the park and not a lot is going on as we prepare for a day of work.  Then it happens.  Just like it has forever.  The sun rises.  Every once in a while, I get a decent shot of El Sol and his morning strech.  This shot was taken from the White Tank Mountains in the West valley, overlooking a large stretch of the greater Phoenix area.  I recommend an early hike up the Mule Deer Trail or Mesquite Canyon Trail for the best views.  The Mule Deer Trail is an easy, relatively short climb, and runs mostly North-South, offering some great sunrise vistas.  The Mesquite Canyon Trail is a bit more of a challenge.  It is a good climb to the saddle, and runs mostly East-West.  When you get to the top you will see great views of the Valley and, if you get there early enough, you'll see... More

Last week I was hiking in Cave Creek Regional Park, you know the one, it's in your backyard, Carefree Hwy and 32nd St.  Anyway, I was out hiking and I spotted some Mule Deer, three or four does, it was hard to say for sure as they bounded through the brush in a hurry to avoid me.  As I stood watching them disappear into the desert, I noticed something.  More accurately, I felt something.  You know the feeling you get when you are being watched by a stranger.  My spidey senses were tingling.  Slowly I began a 360 degree scan to see who might be giving me the once over.  Was it a Mountain Lion?  A Coyote?  Just another hiker, perhaps?  I heard the noise of something stirring in the scrub. I readied my camera, just in case it was something more than a LBB (little brown bird).  Then, I saw him, up there on the ridge line, maybe 100 feet away.  He was watching to make sure his harem was safe.  Once the buck was sure that I had seen him, he slowly started walking, stopping... More

Hey there, Welcome to my blog.  Seeing as this is my first entry, a little about me and what I am doing here, seems appropriate.  So it goes something like this; I was born on a hot summer day in July, 19..... okay, let's not go that far back.  We relocated to Anthem, AZ from Elk Grove, CA about 8 1/2 years ago.  A very good move, I must say.  As much as we miss our friends and family, there, it is all good, here.  I am the proud father of 2 great teenagers and am happily/luckily married to the girl of my dreams.  We have the usual pets, a couple of good dogs, and then things take a little twist.   You see, I love animals.  The more odd, ugly, icky they are, the more I like 'em.  And so, over the course of my life, so far, I have kept some pretty interesting and far out critters.  From alligators to bats, scorpions and spiders, centipedes, snakes, lizards, turtles, salamanders, toads, praying mantis, sharks, electric eels, crabs, hawks, and too many others to really get... More