Hidden Valley Nest

06/25/2024

Something you don't see everyday--a house finch at the waterfall gets jumped by a toad! It happened so fast I honestly don't know the fate of the finch

06/22/2024

I love this

My Mum is 89. A few weeks before Christmas her elderly dog died and she was heartbroken. She’d decided not to get another dog because she didn’t think it would be fair to a dog as she is disabled and doesn’t think she’ll live for long enough to outlive it. However, a dog rescuer that had rehomed dogs with her in the past, knew her old dog had died and when a little 12 year old dog came in who’s elderly owner had died, she phoned Mum and asked if she’d be interested. By then, she was feeling very lonely without a constant companion so said she’d give it a go and see how it went. As you can see by the photo they got on very well and are blissfully happy. Both of them have got a new lease of life and adore each other.

06/20/2024

06/06/2024

Scenes from the Haley Fire, 2 and 3 June. The fire began in the Vekol wash in the west part of the Haley Hills. With the strong winds it moved rapidly through the hills into our residential area. Neighbors to the north of Ivory Rd. along the wash were evacuated. Us neighbors on the south side of Ivory watched these amazing firefighters work through the night to control the fire as it spread through and up and over the hills. It was contained the next day at 360 acres. I really want to thank all the brave firefighters, many volunteer, that came out to battle this fire. You have my heartfelt gratitude, and I know I speak for all my neighbors and everyone else out here that has faced one of these fast-moving wildfires and had their homes still standing the next day. Thank you ❤️

04/29/2024

If you can turn off any unnecessary lights at night, especially those in cities, you can make a difference ❣️

!Migration Alert! BirdCast is predicting more than 300 MILLION birds will be migrating across the U.S. for each of the next three nights. Sadly, birds can be disoriented by light pollution, contributing to the hundreds of millions of birds estimated to die in building collisions in the U.S. every year. Turn off nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, and make glass safer for birds by day. Learn more about keeping migrating birds safe: bit.ly/LightsOutForBirds Please share to help get the word out!

04/08/2024

Stinknet is an invasive w**d that can crowd out native plants and becomes a fire hazard in summer. Right now, it's spreading in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties.

Learn what you can do to stop its spread at https://extension.arizona.edu/stinknet-invasion?publication=20240405&utm_campaign=University+of+Arizona+Cooperative+Extension&utm_content=Stinknet+is+an+invasive+w&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.

Stinknet is sometimes called globe chamomile and is a member of the sunflower family and can grow more than 2 feet tall. It has carrot-like leaves and spherical yellow flower heads that have many tiny flowers. If you crush the leaves, it has a pungent, turpentine-like smell.

It's adapted to a wide variety of habitats including back yards, around desert fivers, urban sidewalk cracks and many other places. It grows through the winter and usually flowers between February and June.

Be careful when you remove stinknet, especially when it becomes dried out and full of seeds. Bag the w**d carefully to contain the seeds. Clean shoes, clothing and equipment that has come in contact with the plant.

10/30/2023

I know what he wants to be when he grows up 😂

08/10/2023

Hidden Valley Birds of Summer and other Die-hard Desert Dwellers:

07/29/2023

Happening now! Look for monarchs in all life stages and report them when you do for the next 10 days.

07/28/2023

110+ and Sneaky Pete wants some water..or does he?