Tucson

I arrived at lunch time on Thursday after a long drive yesterday from Junction, TX all the way to Deming, NM.  Texas Hill Country is pretty, many Live Oak trees and a few rivers. Hwy 10 travels thru some very dry open country after that. El Paso reminded me of Phoenix:  too much traffic, a lot of commercial development, and a great deal of urban sprawl.  Industrial development flows over the border with New Mexico for several miles.
     This photo is of a trail with native Sabal Palms in Texas.
South of Deming is a nice camping area, Rock Hound State Park.  I had time for a short hike before the sun set.  Black-throated Sparrows !!   Rock Wrens, and 2 species of Quail  (Gambels and Scaled).   
     Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is on the very end of Speedway's pavement at the east end of the Catalina Mts.  This place is pretty snazzy:  the buildings look like an old ranch well maintained.  Currently 150 horses live here, more are coming for the winter.  Its a very popular place for meetings, retreats, and weddings.  3 weddings are scheduled for this week.
     My room is in a casita of 4 rooms.  This casita is given for employee housing. And most surprising is all 4 of us are from Grand Tetons Park !!  Each room has its own bathroom, a refrigerator, and a big queen bed.  Kayak and bicycle are still on the roof as their home is yet to be determined. 
   I will take photos tomorrow.

 A Laughing Gull with Brown Pelicans on a
pier in coastal TX. The left most Pelican is stretching its bill pouch.

 Rio Grande River.  This riparian vegetation is a tough dense thicket.