Stats and thanks!

2011 was the first full year for this Sabino Canyon blog and I'd like to thank all of the contributors, especially Ned Harris. Without your great photos (and often, text), this blog couldn't exist. Based on the feedback I receive, this blog is a positive addition to the digital universe! Thank you for contributing, reading, and enjoying.
The end of the year is a very busy time; I'm going to give you some stats for the year and take a few days 'off'. (Feel free to search the archives in the interim : -)
Most-viewed post this year (and this excludes the email views):
Fire in Sabino Canyon! from April 24, 2011 with 237. My theory on the reason for this incredible number is that  Maggie's and Loren's photos were the only ones available. Anyone googling Sabino Canyon fire would get the blog. How about that for on-the-scene reporting?!
The 2nd-most-viewed post (again, this is excluding all the email recipients):
A Dozen Darling Ducklings from May 5, 2011 with 55.
Just in the past month, people in the following countries have taken a look:

US - 568   Russia - 59

Germany - 19   Canada - 9

Greece - 8   UK - 7

Malasia - 6   Australia - 5

Taiwan - 5   France - 4

Most of these people have searched some Sonoran desert plant or animal. How cool is that?!
Thank you, wonderful readers, for a fantastic year in the blog-o-sphere.

Today in Mountain Lion

All Photos by Ellen Green 12/22/11

These photos were taken at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, the one great place to get a close look at these magnificent creatures. They are not nice kitties, though. Click on the photos for a larger view and note the size of those paws. One swipe will do you in.
Tram driver Cindy stopped Carol and me this morning to let us know that she (and her passengers) had seen a mountain lion and three cubs near stop eight. Let this serve as a reminder to pay attention and especially to keep children close by when you are out and about in Sabino Canyon. The cubs will be learning to hunt. Don't make yourself easy prey.

WPA bridges and how to search

Several people have asked how to find 'old' posts. Every post is archived, but there's an easier way than spending an hour going through 444 (or so) posts. If you get the posts via email, just click on 'Sabino Canyon' at the top or bottom of the email. Doing that will take you to the blog site itself. On the left, there are 'boxes' for Subscribe and Search. Type a word (e.g., bridge, hawk, leaf, Angie) into the Search box and click on search. If there's a post with that word in it, it will come up on the right. It also works if you want to be specific and type a phrase (e.g., Blue Palo Verde). Give it a try and let me know if you have any trouble.
And now, a review of the WPA bridges: 
Bridge 5, Bridge 6, (Another view of six in the top two photos), Bridge 7, Bridge 8, Bridge 9. Quiz forthcoming. When you least expect it...

I'll leaf you with more...

Photo by Ned Harris, 12/7/11

An Arizona Sycamore leaf, that is. And the Blue Palo Verde leaflets (from yesterday's quiz) are on the left.

Which one's Blue?

Photo by Ned Harris, 12/7/11
Hand of Anne, Penny from Bob Wenrick

Look at the leaflets and decide which (of the two 'sets') are from the Foothill and which from the Blue Palo Verde!
You could flip a coin...or wait for the answer in tomorrow's post.

(Ned) Harris's Hawk

Yes, both photos from Ned Harris

Caw!

If you haven't already been (and even if you have), I urge you to experience the Raptor Free Flight program at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. You'll be able to see this and other birds much more closely than you can at Sabino Canyon (unless you happen to be a Desert Cottontail).
You can also see Javelinas, who shred prickly pears as in photo 2. Nothing dainty about that bite! Photo 1 is an example of the nibble of the packrat.

Who ate my prickly pear?

Both photos by Peggy Wenrick, Photo 1: Click for larger view

Photo 2: Click for larger view

A quiz right off the bat...err...pad! Answers in tomorrow's post.