Phoenix AZ, Dixie Mine Trl contd

Well, this is our last week here in Phoenix.  We leave next Saturday morning to go back up to Prescott to have the items installed that were on order for Paradise (our motorhome;)). As usual, the time is flying by!

Here is part 2 of the Dixie Mine Trl.  After checking out what we could of the mine, we walked up the canyon where the mine tunnel is to check out the petroglyphs:

see the petroglyphs on the dark rocks?

"HP 1925" refers to H Pemberton, a rancher who helped develop this area.  The trail we went on  previously in this park was named after him.

there were small tunnel openings that just went in a few feet, maybe they were testing for mineral veins

more petroglyphs further up the trail

yep, it's a tarantula and yes it's dead darn it!

Phoenix AZ, McDowell Mtn Reg. Park, Dixie Mine Trl

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day!  We enjoyed it with my sister, Gemma and Kerry at their lovely home.

Well we did go back to McDowell Mtn RP to go looking for the petroglyphs we were told about on our previous visit to the park.  Before we got to the petroglyphs, we checked out the abandoned mine on the Dixie Mine Trl.  Another great morning with some nice scenery.  Will show the petroglyphs in the next posting:

great hairdo......

...and nice profile!

At the base of the cottonwood trees on the right is a canyon where the tunnel access to the mine, that you see in the pic below, is located

Phoenix AZ, A Home for Injured Wildlife

Last weekend, Mike and I went to an open house at the Arizona Fish and Game.  We learned a few things we did not know about desert wildlife and got to see several species up close which was really nice.  These animals are housed there for life due to injuries or because they can no longer survive in the wild.  Here are a few pics:

getting a little wildlife education

Desert Tortoise  

Gila Monster......

yep, he's missing a leg.  Check out the forked tongue.

Golden Eagle

Balk Eagle about 3 years old

Swainsons Hawk

showing off his plumage....

and profile.....

and tonsils!

Great Horned Owl.....

look at the eyelid under the eyelid in this blink.....

they do look comical:)

Merlin Hawk

Burrowing Owl, cute huh?

Screech Owl.......

wish we could have heard one.  Don't those feathers look like fur?