The speedometer was pegged at 50 mph, and I was heading down SR 90 towards Karchner Caverns in Benson, AZ. Talk radio was blaring. Hannity, I think. (I'm a right wing nut case, raised in a Latin American country where the Minister of Finance was castrated in public during the 60's. Wouldn't that change the political mood?! But I digress.)
Having been a hunter (first with the gun, and now with the camera) since my childhood in the Amazon, I've developed good peripheral vision. Do you see it in the photo to the right?
Out of the corner of my right eye I saw a raptor's nest far down an arroyo. By the time it registered, it was gone, hidden by a hill. I looked in the rear view mirror, changed lanes and made a U-turn.
I've ruined more than one good shirt crawling between stretches of barbed wire in search of a good photo. This time I was fortunate; someone had cut the bottom strand of wire.
I left the car idling by the side of the road and made my way back to a ridge overlooking the arroyo, and there they were! Two fledgling Red Tail hawks nesting in the top of a tree below me.
Mama wasn't too happy, and let out that long kreeeee that you hear in the big sky western movies. You may even read about it in some cowboy poetry. (Benson is Baxter Black country.)
That's the mama, parked in the top of a mesquite a quarter mile away, keeping an eye on me and on her youngsters, too. (I cropped the photo so you could see her profile against the sky. The camera is a $240. cheapie from Costco, but it has a 10X zoom and Leica lens.)
These are her youngsters, just waiting for Mama to come feed them. Aren't they amazing? This was a "mental health" afternoon, driving from Tucson to Benson to meet with a client. I could have faxed things back and forth, or had DHL overnight the package, but I wanted a break, and what a wonderful break it was!
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Think of me as your Local Expert.
(I do purchase and refinance loans all over the state of Arizona, and if you live in an interesting place, I'll come visit you! We can sign your application at the kitchen table.)
I show up ON TIME. I do WHAT I SAY I'm going to do. I FINISH what I start. If I mess up, I 'FESS UP & I fix it. In the mortgage business, these 4 things are why you'll want to do business with me.
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Awesome pics Mike! And a cheap camera? Looks great. Maybe someday I'll make it back to Arizona and look you up. Been there once and really liked it. But I do LOVE being here in paradise! Let me know when they put an ocean in Arizona. ;-)
Good cheap photography, Mike.
And that "mental health" afternoon is a great use of your time.
We should do more of them...
Mike,
Amen to that! I'm good at cheap stuff. LOL
Sharon,
I was just commenting on Bill & Barbara Jo's blog that you folks in Florida live in some of God's most beautiful country. Our ocean isn't far; it's a short drive to Rocky Point in Mexico.
Mike in Tucson
You must have the eyes of a raptor, yourself, Mike--nice find! I also like the Baxter Black reference.
Mike - Our MH owners club just had a rally in Tuscon in February... Your pictures make me wish we had gone.
Mike, great pictures! You're right those are amazing!
LOVE the chick photo!! This is one of my favorites of your photos... and it's hard to pick. What a great way to improve the mood!
Susie,
Isn't that a lender's job? To improve a REALTOR's mood? LOL
Tony & Darcy,
Thanks for stopping by to comment. What's new out your way?
Jesse,
Me too! Never miss an opportunity to visit another locale, especially when you have the opportunity to purchase a second home! Seriously, come on down!
Kent,
See the above comment to Jesse and Kathy. I have a referral for you!
Mike in Tucson
There isn't anything wrong with your eyesight, now mine on the other hand.......Glad you had a good mental health day.
Don R.
Don,
I sure did! And I found time in the morning to swim a few laps. Believe me, I can use the exercise! LOL
Mike in Tucson
Thanks Mike--I'll give you a call after I get some coffee down my neck.
Mike, red-tailed hawks are one of my favorite birds. They nest on the cliffs here along the rivers. I love being out in the middle of nowhere and hearing them call. I love the chicks!
Hi MIke,
What a great picture...we have a hawk nesting in our Eucalytus tree at our house....along iwth the Doves and Quails :)
Anne,
C'mon, my dear. Get out the camera and let's see 'em!
Linda,
Raptors are awesome birds. Thanks for commenting.
Kent,
Thanks for calling today; I'm still in a fog.
Mike in Tucson
There is a FMCA get together in Albuquerque this fall we're thinking of going to. Don't be surprised if you get a call from two displaced snowbirds.
Well, I think that cheap camera did pretty darn good. Very cool shots.
Jesse, If you get down that far you may as well come to Arizona. We can have an ActiveRain get together to meet Jesse and Kathy! That would be fun!!!!
Doreen,
We do need to get Jesse and Kathy down here. I think they would make good snowbirds, so I'm referring them to you to sell them a second home. Need a lender?
Jesse,
You should consider it. And email me about a one week rental in July with amenities for my Darlin' and fishing close by for me.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - photos of nature and animals are always so wonderful! great post!
Woody,
You're welcome. Thanks so much for your comment. Helping others is the main thing in life.
Barbara Jo,
Thank you. I always appreciate seeing you comment; it brings a smile.
Mike in Tucson