Tucson (rather, greater Tucson) has passed the million mark in terms of human habitation. With that number of people comes a greater requirement for infrastructure. Things like this concrete bridge spanning one of our many arroyos.
Thousands of cars pass over this bridge each day, commuting to work, going to the grocery store, heading out early for a round of Tucson's magnificent golf. No one thinks about the bridge, or the structure beneath the bridge that holds it up.
Children might gaze out the car window and look at the dry riverbed beneath. Adults rarely do.
If you were to park on the side of the road and walk down the rip-rap embankment, there wouldn't be much to see. Not much, that is, until you're under the roadway looking up.
In that case, you would notice that a Momma Great Horned Owl has made this her nursery. She's sitting on a clutch of eggs that will hatch shortly. Isn't that worth seeing?
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Think of me as your local expert.
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Now, how cool is that?! You need to standby for the 'hatching' so that you can snap a few photos to share! Several years ago my youngest son and I were driving on a 2-lane road in the county and thought there was a dog just sitting in the middle of the road. I slowed almost to a stop and suddenly the 'dog' spread his wings and flew right towards us! We stopped and sat there with awe as the horned owl's wing span reached the width of our car! I SO wish I had a camera with me--although I was just sitting there with my mouth open, WOW'ed by the beauty of this creature and probably wouldn't have been able to grab my camera quick enough anyway!
You are EVERYWHERE in Tucson Mike - does anything happen without your catching it on film?
Leave it to Mike in Tucson to find a Great Horned Owl nursery under the bridge. Talk about leaving no stone unturned. :) Local expert, indeed.
Mike, I .love your keen sense of finding these neat little things to write about. It makes for very interesting reading!
Susan
Hi Mike, great 'story' and picture. Warms my heart and you always bring Tubac to mind. Please don't find any tarantulas to write about...
I love this story, Mike. Mother nature and Mother owl are just making the best of what 's available - a lesson for all of us.
Howdy Mike
We all can learn so much from Nature.
How to cope with life and make do.
I am glad you took the time, to walk down and to look up.
Thank ya for the photo to look at.
Mike,
I cannot believe that you were able to spot that owl!!!! I miss AZ. I spent 2 years stationed in Phoenix. Beautiful area that state of AZ!
Mike,
I cannot believe that you were able to spot that owl!!!! I miss AZ. I spent 2 years stationed in Phoenix. Beautiful area that state of AZ!
Mike,
I cannot believe that you were able to spot that owl!!!! I miss AZ. I spent 2 years stationed in Phoenix. Beautiful area that state of AZ!
Mike, that is just way cool! There's a dilapidated barn about 1/4 mile from us and we have a great horned owl living there and I love to hear her at night. I hope no one disturbs this mama.
I love it! Owls are so cool. We frequently have one if the Norfolk Pine tree, in our back yard. I might write a post about our owl. Thanks for the idea =) I'll show some link-love in return.
Lisa,
Please write a post about your owl. I'll come over and comment!
Linda,
You have an owl too! I agree that it's way cool! No one has disturbed the owl. There's a second owl nest one bay over, and a raven's nest built on a 12" water pipe that follows the roadway (under the bridge.)
Michelle,
Well, come on back! At least for a visit. I'll bet Arizona misses you too.
Dale,
I agree that nature teaches us to cope with life, and to make do. I appreciate seeing your comment format; it brings a smile!
Bonnie,
Ain't it the truth! She has shade from the sun and protection from the wind and monsoons.
Susie,
I love those tarantulas! They're as big as my hand, some of them.
Susan,
Thanks! I look for interesting things to write about, and when I find a gem, I'm happy. This one (IMHO) is a gem.
Jesse,
Thanks for commenting. I do get around.
Margaret,
Just this morning I had the pleasure of seeing a beautiful male Bobcat in my back yard. By the time I grabbed the camera, he was gone.
Debe,
They are just so huge! Unless you see them in flight, as you did, it's hard to comprehend. Thanks for being the first to comment.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - WOW that's really cool. I just love listening to owls. I have two in my yard -- they were gone all winter and returned sometime in last few weeks. Must mean we really will get Spring. LOL! I'd love to see a photo of little ones under the bridge there - maybe you can camp out? !!
Mike - what a great find! thanks for sharing!!!