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Baxter Black Country: Red Tail Hawks Nesting in Benson, AZ

Can you find the raptor nest out there in the desert? The speedometer was pegged at 50 mph, and I was heading down SR 90 towards Karchner Caverns in Benson, AZ. Talk radio was blaring. Hannity, I think. (I'm a right wing nut case, raised in a Latin American country where the Minister of Finance was castrated in public during the 60's. Wouldn't that change the political mood?! But I digress.)

Having been a hunter (first with the gun, and now with the camera) since my childhood in the Amazon, I've developed good peripheral vision. Do you see it in the photo to the right?

Out of the corner of my right eye I saw a raptor's nest far down an arroyo. By the time it registered, it was gone, hidden by a hill. I looked in the rear view mirror, changed lanes and made a U-turn.

Red Tail Hawk mama watching me from a mesquite tree. I've ruined more than one good shirt crawling between stretches of barbed wire in search of a good photo. This time I was fortunate; someone had cut the bottom strand of wire.

I left the car idling by the side of the road and made my way back to a ridge overlooking the arroyo, and there they were! Two fledgling Red Tail hawks nesting in the top of a tree below me.

Mama wasn't too happy, and let out that long kreeeee that you hear in the big sky western movies. You may even read about it in some cowboy poetry. (Benson is Baxter Black country.)

That's the mama, parked in the top of a mesquite a quarter mile away, keeping an eye on me and on her youngsters, too. (I cropped the photo so you could see her profile against the sky. The camera is a $240. cheapie from Costco, but it has a 10X zoom and Leica lens.)

Young Red Tail hawks waiting to be fed These are her youngsters, just waiting for Mama to come feed them. Aren't they amazing? This was a "mental health" afternoon, driving from Tucson to Benson to meet with a client. I could have faxed things back and forth, or had DHL overnight the package, but I wanted a break, and what a wonderful break it was!

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.

Think of me as your Local Expert.

(I do purchase and refinance loans all over the state of Arizona, and if you live in an interesting place, I'll come visit you! We can sign your application at the kitchen table.)

Posted by Mike Jones on 05/14/2008 10:31 PM

Comments (20)

mike in tucson, tucson mortgage, tucson, arizona, red tail hawk, karchner caverns, benson, az, baxter black

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20 Comments on Baxter Black Country: Red Tail Hawks Nesting in Benson, AZ

Awesome pics Mike! And a cheap camera? Looks great. Maybe someday I'll make it back to Arizona and look you up. Been there once and really liked it. But I do LOVE being here in paradise! Let me know when they put an ocean in Arizona. ;-)

05/14/2008 10:39 PM

by Sharon Young, Bonita Springs, Fl REALTOR® (Keller Williams Elite Realty, Bonita Springs Florida)

Good cheap photography, Mike.

And that "mental health" afternoon is a great use of your time.

We should do more of them...

05/14/2008 10:45 PM

by Mike Jaquish Keller Williams Realty, Cary, NC (Keller Williams Realty)

Mike,

Amen to that! I'm good at cheap stuff. LOL

Sharon,

I was just commenting on Bill & Barbara Jo's blog that you folks in Florida live in some of God's most beautiful country. Our ocean isn't far; it's a short drive to Rocky Point in Mexico.

Mike in Tucson

05/14/2008 10:49 PM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

You must have the eyes of a raptor, yourself, Mike--nice find! I also like the Baxter Black reference.

05/14/2008 11:21 PM

by Kent Simpson REALTOR®, CNS®, AHS®, RECS® (with The Pepper Group™ Diversified Real Estate)

Mike - Our MH owners club just had a rally in Tuscon in February... Your pictures make me wish we had gone.

05/15/2008 12:17 AM

by Fairbanks Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS - 907.699.6024 - )

Mike, great pictures! You're right those are amazing!

05/15/2008 12:39 AM

by Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center)

LOVE the chick photo!! This is one of my favorites of your photos... and it's hard to pick. What a great way to improve the mood!

05/15/2008 02:41 AM

by Susie Blackmon NC Realtor, Maggie Valley, Waynesville (COLDWELL BANKER)

Susie,

Isn't that a lender's job? To improve a REALTOR's mood? LOL

Tony & Darcy,

Thanks for stopping by to comment. What's new out your way?

Jesse,

Me too! Never miss an opportunity to visit another locale, especially when you have the opportunity to purchase a second home! Seriously, come on down!

Kent,

See the above comment to Jesse and Kathy. I have a referral for you!

Mike in Tucson

05/15/2008 04:05 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

There isn't anything wrong with your eyesight, now mine on the other hand.......Glad you had a good mental health day.

Don R.

05/15/2008 05:28 AM

by Don Rogers CRS, GRI, Broker/Sales Associate (RE/MAX Discover)

Don,

I sure did! And I found time in the morning to swim a few laps. Believe me, I can use the exercise! LOL

Mike in Tucson

05/15/2008 05:31 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

Thanks Mike--I'll give you a call after I get some coffee down my neck.

05/15/2008 07:20 AM

by Kent Simpson REALTOR®, CNS®, AHS®, RECS® (with The Pepper Group™ Diversified Real Estate)

Mike, red-tailed hawks are one of my favorite birds. They nest on the cliffs here along the rivers. I love being out in the middle of nowhere and hearing them call. I love the chicks!

05/15/2008 07:24 AM

by Linda Scanlan ~Selling All of North Texas (Hall Team Homes)

Hi MIke,

What a great picture...we have a hawk nesting in our Eucalytus tree at our house....along iwth the Doves and Quails :)

05/15/2008 08:05 AM

by Tucson Real Estate Experts Anne and Eddie McKechnie (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Anne,

C'mon, my dear. Get out the camera and let's see 'em!

Linda,

Raptors are awesome birds. Thanks for commenting.

Kent,

Thanks for calling today; I'm still in a fog.

Mike in Tucson

05/15/2008 11:52 PM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

There is a FMCA get together in Albuquerque this fall we're thinking of going to. Don't be surprised if you get a call from two displaced snowbirds.

05/16/2008 01:05 AM

by Fairbanks Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS - 907.699.6024 - )

Well, I think that cheap camera did pretty darn good. Very cool shots.

Jesse, If you get down that far you may as well come to Arizona. We can have an ActiveRain get together to meet Jesse and Kathy! That would be fun!!!!

05/16/2008 02:29 AM

by Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~ Doreen McPherson (Keller Williams Arizona Realty ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe)

Doreen,

We do need to get Jesse and Kathy down here. I think they would make good snowbirds, so I'm referring them to you to sell them a second home. Need a lender?

Jesse,

You should consider it. And email me about a one week rental in July with amenities for my Darlin' and fishing close by for me.

Mike in Tucson

05/16/2008 05:13 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

Mike - photos of nature and animals are always so wonderful! great post!

05/16/2008 07:16 AM

by Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)

Mike, You're an excellent asset for Tucson. This city has an abundance of natural beauty and you're always sharing the common and not so common sights for all of us and those who call Tucson, home. What's surprising is how you still find time to help others with whatever challenges their facing. You're the guy that makes things happen and wants to show others how to do the same. Thank you.

05/21/2008 12:57 AM

by Woody in Tucson

Woody,

You're welcome. Thanks so much for your comment. Helping others is the main thing in life.

Barbara Jo,

Thank you. I always appreciate seeing you comment; it brings a smile.

Mike in Tucson

05/21/2008 04:37 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

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