Mountain Lions, Wild Pigs, Coyotes, Bobcats and Killer Bee

They weren't exactly on the Las Sendas Gated Community Living Brochure. Combine that with the local fauna, where "if it's not pokey or poisonous it's not native", the 120 degree days in the summer, and torrential monsoons; you might start to understand why some people say they'd NEVER live here. Not to mention all the creepy crawlies, scorpions, snakes, yada, yada, yada. But I wouldn't have it any other way...I love how rough and raw it still really is out in the desert. We honestly love it here, especially this time of year. 70s and 80s all day long, even peaked to 90 on Monday. The kids love playing outside, riding bikes, and going to the park. AZ is great, come and visit anytime...except June- August. ;)




This swarm of killer bees that set up residence across the street in a Palo Verde. Luckily the guy who lived there is an Entomologist and let us know it was only a temporary thing. I guess when the old queen moves out, her loyals follow her and gather like this to protect her once she lands. The scouts go off and find a suitable spot to restart the colony and come back and report. It was interesting to see quite a few of them doing the buzz buzz shaking dance. (giving directions)





Fist signs of spring....January BTW ;)





Careful when you stop to smell the flowers.







Saguaro cactus that's probably over 80 years old. (another 80-90 to go)