ANOTHER BUSY WEEK HAS SPED PAST

Yes, no boredom around here for me.  I led three rides again this past week after three the week before.  It gives me lots of photo opportunities which in turn leads to a lot of computer time to get them edited and organized.   On Wednesday, we along with four friends, went to Barleen's Arizona Opry in Apache Junction to a midday musical variety performance.  On February 7th we will return for a country jamboree show. 
We got together with the four friends several times for games and meals as well.  Aileen's knee is still improving, but very slowly.

I led a group on the south side of the Gila River the other day.  This is South Butte.

Moving a bit more to the south gives us this view of Grayback Mtn

I liked the colour on this prickly pear cactus even though it may be a sign of impending ill health 

We call this the waterfall even though there is water flowing only during the monsoon season

A male Gambel's Quail

An American Kestrel hanging on in today's wind

And just down the road this Red-tailed Hawk was hanging on in the gusts in a tree

A resting hummingbird on one of our afternoon walks

A male House Finch on our morning walk

Mitzy and I walk past this fan palm on our way out to the desert

Ranching Arizona style

Lunch on the trail

Looking down on our lunch spot

We call that pillar in behind The Thumb, so here we are giving it a thumbs up

Top of the World trail

The ridge north of Box Canyon along the Martinez Mine Rd

Desert dwelling cow

Hummingbird resting

At this time of year, there are a lot of sheep grazing the fields between Coolidge and Casa Grande

White-crowned Sparrow

A nice grouping of Saguaro Cactus

More cactus in Cottonwood Wash

From our riding area looking across to Superstition Mtn in the center.  To the left of it is Gold Canyon and Apache Junction.  From there to the left is greater Phoenix for about the next 50-60 miles.

A dead end trail a couple of us explored the other day.  You might be able to spot our RZRs.  Greater Phoenix is on the distant horizon. 

Male Gilded Flicker