Nothing so defines Arizona and the Sonoran Desert as the giant saguaro (sa-war-o) cacti. Curious to me, while we are camped just a few miles east of Saguaro National Park there are none nearby. Yet just a few miles further west, north and as I say east saguaros everywhere...We plan to hunt here at least through the weekend then probably head up around Roosevelt Lake...not so much looking for better hunting but rather a change of scenery and yes, once again to be out and about amongst the giant cacti. 

On another track Annie has come up limping this morning. Pulled one long cactus spine and looked and looked for another but no dice...hopefully we can uncover the culprit and not need to make another trip to vet...She of course is taking it all in stride, like look Dad I can and will hunt three legs what the hell ya waitin for ...bird dogs ya gotta love 'em...

Whether or not the pain is worth....

...the gain is more than I can say although I must admit she does appear quite pleased with herself here...

...thinking perhaps the sight of yet another pretty sunset might square things we tried our best to wake her but  no dice; instead she rolled over on her back stuck legs in air, sighed a bit and went back to snoring...Who knows...over and out...Chuck

Arizona Quail Safari....

...is in progress.  We started in Wikieup, moved to Cave Creek then on to our old stomping grounds east of Tucson. First two spots were as advertised a bust...upon landing here we have been into birds every time out. Maybe not great but more than good enough to satisfy this ol boy and his faithful steed, Annie. Annie, bless her, has had only a few miscues and not too many run-ins with her old nemesis, cholla cactus, (faithful followers might recall her emergency operation in Nogales a few years back). Weather to say the least has been sunny and COLD...nighttime in the low teens to low 20s, daytime high yesterday a balmy wind driven 35...today though the temperature soared to 60 and tomorrow is supposed to be near 70 so what's to complain...Right. Terry is on his way down, talked to him this a.m. when he arrived in Kingman. Our friends, Dave and Pam Vedder should be in camp sometime Saturday. Should any of you wondered why so long since last post let's just say computer illiteracy strikes again. As for lack of facebook yak...the bastards have me temporarily blocked like since we left last day December...who the hell knows and I for one have no way of finding out so...anyway tis all for now...ya'll stay warm and of course stay tuned should my run of computer savvy continue...over and out...Chuck