Da Boids

Since our time in Arizona is nearly over, I thought I would post some favorite bird pictures.  I know, I know... I should forget the birds and take pictures of people.  But I like the birds.  So to make it interesting for those who don't, I have added captions for each.  Like this first one.
"Pick it up a little you are falling behind."

"Do you think that this is my best side?"  Or
"There he is again with the camera, don't look at him."

"I've told you a million times; don't stare!"

"I've worn my camouflage coat. You can't see me, can you?" 

"Really Dear, I like your hair."

"Do you think I'm over dressed in my tuxedo?"

"Since I had that last adjustment I can turn my head this far back."

"That's nothin', since I had my last adjustment, I can't find my head." 

"Yes, Dear, that bonnet will be perfect for Easter."

"The Blue Angels don't have anything on us."

"Betcha can't land on that tiny branch; betcha can't."

"What do ya mean, my beak looks big?"

"Would you just look at the camera, pa-leese!"

"No, the camera is over here, not back there." 

"That's better, but try to smile with your lips closed next time."

It Must Be Hard to Be Famous

One thing about the Phoenix area is that it has some beautiful hotels and resorts.  One of our favorites is the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. 

It's claim to fame is that it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright whose Taliesin West is in NE Scottsdale.  We had visited his home and school in Wisconsin which is very near Marilyn's brother's farm.  In the winter months Wright moved his home and school to the Phoenix area.  

It is great to see the flowers and green grass which won't be in North Dakota until May or June at the earliest. 

It is fun to just walk the grounds and admire the scenery.

The hotel is beautiful on the inside as well.  Many famous people have stayed here including every President since Herbert Hoover except Barack Obama.

President Obama was in Phoenix last week but opted to stay at a different hotel.

Of course there were things to tempt the ladies. 

We were there with good friends from North Dakota who are wintering in Scottsdale.  We have known them since 1976 when they started attending our church.  He has been our dentist all these years but has recently closed his practice in order to work part-time in Arizona...

...and pursue his real love... golf.  It is hard to golf in North Dakota in the winter unless you use colored golf balls.  Of course it doesn't hurt that they have their first Grandson here who arrived the end of December.

When I saw this sign I thought, "Well, how thoughtful of them to put this up for me.  My fingers get so cramped signing all those autographs." 

Other signs around the pool indicated that this sign was probably not for my benefit. 

The Biltmore was the home hotel for the Pro-Bowl game which is to be played this weekend.   People with name tags said things like: "NFL staff, Family and friends."  So we had walked into the hotel where the pro-bowlers and their families were staying for the weekend.

Once we realized that, we were on the lookout for anyone we might recognize without their football helmet.  Like this guy for example who was trying to slip by incognito... is he?  No, not so much. 

As we walked to our parked car, I thought that these fellas must be waiting to escort us back to our home.  Instead I figured out that they had just escorted two huge buses loaded with Team Irvin and Team Carter from their practice for the game.

As the famous football players unloaded, my camera beeped and said "card is full."  Wouldn't you know it?  Anyway I snapped this guy but have no idea who he is.  I take it that he plays for the giants or likes New York.

And this quarterback from New Orleans "drew" quite a crowd, with his hair blowing in the "breeze."

After hearing the fans call the players names and want them to come over for pictures and autographs, I decided that it is too much work to be famous.  I'll just keep on being a nobody.

Who Would Have Thunk?

Today I took this classy lady to Fountain Hills for a walk around the lake.  This is an unusual occurrence.  Not the walk but M letting me get a picture.  

Fountain Hills has a fountain... amazing, isn't it?  It goes off every hour if it isn't too windy.

A man with a metal "rake" attached to a rope was heaving the rake as far as he could into the lake.  I told him, "I give up, what are you doing?" 

He implied that it was quite obvious: "We are by a lake and this a well-known Disc Golf course.  I am trying to rake the bottom of the lake for Discs."

I grew up with Frisbees, but you can't call these Frisbees because that is a trademark name.  Discs are all the same size, but do have some differences on the edges.  They are Discs, not Frisbees, I was told.

He said that many of them are valuable depending on their condition and year stamped on them.  One of these he claimed would bring $3-400 bucks.  Now sit down for this: He claims he resells some, returns some who have put their names on them and has been doing this for two and a half years.   He said is better than working for someone.  He works at it until he has 30-40 discs and calls it a day.  He told me twice, and I suppose he may have been pulling my leg, that he makes around $60,000 a year doing this!  It helps pay for his travel to Disc tournaments and his lifestyle. 

I guess some people look at life through different glasses.  Who would have thunk it?

Desert Hike with Friends

This week we went on a desert hike with friends from Grand Forks who are wintering here.  We made our first stop at the friend's sister's home in Rio Verde.  What a beautiful home and sunroom.

Then it was off on a trail through the desert.  I was given a walking stick which was a big help for my arthritic knee.  When you are a photographer you stop to take pictures which means you are the last of the hikers... and those in front of you get their pictures taken from behind.  (maybe that is why the women are so far ahead). 

The desert has it's own beauty, even in winter.  And of course the mountains are a nice touch.

Saguaro cactus are the big guys in the cactus world.  I have been told that they don't sprout "arms" until they are at least 75 years old.  Makes me appreciate their fortitude since I am nearing their age and my extremities feel as if they are ready to drop off.  This guy must be over a hundred years.

Can you tell I am getting lectured?  Something about taking pictures from behind, or of their behinds. 

God sure didn't make this environment friendly for hiking.  Nearly every kind of growth has some kind of sticker on it, yet many kinds of critters thrive in  this place.  There were no horrific screams which means that no one spotted a snake.  They are probably hibernating since it is cold... like only 65 degrees cold.

Time for lunch... let's see, what shall we have? 

And off we go to the lower desert and city.  A fun day and a reminder of the contrast with the flat land of our country.

Here and there in Scottsdale

Here are a few "out and about" shots from Scottsdale.  There are different cars here than I see in ND.  Like this Rolls Royce, for example.

Or this Maserati. 

This Spire at the corner of Scottsdale and Frank Lloyd Wright was designed by Wright to be placed on the Capital Grounds but the legislature didn't want it so the city of Scottsdale built it. 

I like these guys.  So beautiful and all dressed up. 

This Fly Catcher took a breather from catching flies.  He is in his non-fly catching mode. 

Another variety of Fly Catcher doing the same.  Catching flies after all is hard work.  Ever tried it? 

No caption needed. 

Waltzing Matilda.

We attracted attention from some Grackles when we ate lunch outside.  I threw a french fry in the air, and one snatched it out of the air before it hit the ground and brought many of his relatives to visit and share in the feast.  With one french fry left, here is the picture I got when M threw it into the air.  Let me introduce you to them... starting on the ground is "Don't bother me," then just up from him is, "Contortionist," then "Glider," at the top is "I'm too proper for this," and lastly is "Dive Bomber."  Now you know.