Springtime in the Sonora

John and Virginia came to Tucson
as part of a larger and more important family gathering
and we had just enough time to visit Tohono Chul,
which is, in the Tohono O'odham language, "Desert Corner".

We were provided with secret service surveilance
by a Phainopepla who reported our location
to every plant and animal
so that they should not be surprised at our being there.

The crested saguaro
was probably not as surprised
as he seemed to be,
and lizard,

in camouflage,
seemed to think

he was invisible.

On the last evening of their visit
we had dinner with Stan and Becky
at the old train station,
part of which is still station,
but which also harbors
a lovely restaurant
with patio seating;
perfect for welcoming spring
and good friends.

Early the next morning, before Virginia and John
set off for their foray to places never explored before,
I had a chance to stop at a small Sweetwater lake
where a goose was giving dancing lessons
to a couple of friends.

Up in the eucalyptus tree, blue herons were doing nesting things.

A duck, I suppose it was,
must have had a tiring morning
foraging breakfast, because
it seemed determined
not to let anything interfere
with its digestive process.

If there were fish in the lake

they were not evident.

No matter. It is springtime in the Sonora.

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