A Room with a View

Being confined to my bed day in and out, I end up spending a lot of time (more than I would like) looking out the window and wishing I could break free. My room unfortunately does not face the beautiful mountains that are viewable from much of the rest of the house, but it is not without interesting things to see from time to time.

There is a mesquite tree in the small courtyard outside my window, and it is quite the hot spot for little desert dwellers. My dad put some feeders on a few of the tree's branches and it is amazing the amount of birds that flock to them. Woodpeckers, cardinals, hummingbirds, mourning doves, quails, wrens, road runners and lots of other birds I would have no clue how to label. I even once saw a beautiful, large falcon perched on one of the mesquite's branches, keeping guard and watching for prey. It took my breath away.

Here are a couple photos I took of some of these bird visitors (please excuse the poor quality of a few of these pictures, as some were taken with a cell phone):

Falcon (much more impressive in person)

Yellow Finch

Woodpecker
(that's a natural red spot on his head, not an acute injury...)

Cardinal

Quail (check out his funny hat)

Of course, the mesquite tree and bird feeders attract lots of other creatures as well. I've often been somewhat amused (and equally sympathetic) watching a gopher or chipmunk trying to reach the feeder, only to slip and fall to the ground each and every time. They look so funny as they plummet through the air with all their limbs outstretched, as if in apparent panic... I can almost hear them cursing on the way down. Yet, back up they go to try again. I admire and can relate to their persistence, despite never quite having success.

Anyhow, I have seen quite a few wild rabbits living out in the courtyard around my tree as well. Here's a photo of one of those bunnies who lived a happy little life outside my window for several weeks:

Unfortunately, though, this poor little bunny did not meet a happy fate. A couple days before Easter last year, two coyotes happened on his territory, found his little bunny hole, and... well.. let's just say it was not a pretty sight. May he now rest in peace....

Bunny hole is discovered

Coyote shares his find with a friend

After breakfast, they both mark their territory...

Survival of the biggest (not necessarily the fittest) in action.

Not that long ago, I also woke to a bit of a surprise when I saw a giant lizard attached to my window screen...

I'm flattered he made such an effort to say hello, but I have to admit, I was glad when he decided to be on his way.

I've had deer in my courtyard as well, though they are a less frequent event. Here's a picture I managed to snap awhile ago with my cell phone. Be grateful it is such a bad photo, and partially blocked by my bed post. Right as I snapped it, the deer squatted down and started to... erm.. relieve itself.

Isn't nature beautiful?

Twice last year I also saw an absolutely gorgeous bobcat perched on the courtyard wall. It was stunning to see such a beautiful animal in the wild so close up like that. And of course, a bit disturbing as well, as he was facing our entry way and looked ready to pounce if anyone happened to walk out the door at that moment. It was one of the very rare times I was somewhat grateful to be stuck indoors.

Speaking of, I feel I should not leave out some of the indoor critters I've come across, too. I've had several not so pleasant encounters with scorpions of various sizes, and more huge and disgusting spiders than I care to think about. AZ has some of the freakiest looking bugs you will ever see. And I am not a bug person. :) The tiniest of spiders turns me into a girly-girl and I tend to freak out. So when (what I think was) a furry-legged, giant crab spider as big as my palm showed up on my wall... well, let's say I was not too happy about it. I'll spare you the gory evidence (yes, I took photos), but I admit that I squished and killed sent each one of those freaky creatures to creepy bug heaven and only felt a tad bit of guilt about it. :)

My window faces the northeast, which also often allows me to see wonderful views of the sunrise. Here is an image of just one of the sunrises that greeted me this year:


On very, very rare occasions, I even sometimes get to see snow. Usually only on the mountains, but it still always a treat.

Look real close... that white stuff is snow!

The tree outside my window keeps me from seeing many stars at night, but whenever there is a full moon, this is my view:


Last but not least, when I am having a relatively "decent" day, my parents will sometimes wheel me to lie in bed on the other side of the house, where I get to see this magnificent view:

These days, it's the short but sweet moments of grace that make all the difference.