(Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included.  If your photos are for sale, let us know and we will put them under that category.  We have a special section for that purpose.  If anyone would like to buy a print of any of Herbert's photos, all profits will be donated to one of the local non-profit organizations.   Here is the link to this week's Pictures of the Week. Enjoy!)

http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-32116.html 

 

 

 

 

The 2016 Carefree Desert Garden calendars are now available at Carefree Town Hall, 8 Sundial Circle, Carefree, and they are gorgeous! If you like to take pictures, visit the Gardens.  Our entry period for the Carefree Desert Gardens Photo Contest is January.  Your picture could be in the 2017 calendar.

 

 

 

Town of Carefree Newsletter link:

http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4b736631f153ae846e0670316&id=1c548bde21

 

In The News-Town of Carefree link

http://www.carefree.org/DocumentCenter/View/1250

 

Desert Foothills Chronicle link:

http://www.desertfoothillschronicle.org/

CITYSunTimes link:

http://news.citysuntimes.com/

 

 

A mountain lion was spotted in Sentinel Rock on Tuesday morning.  He was quite close to Judie Preston's house when she opened the door with her small dog.  Judie alerted me and I sent out an email to our surrounding neighbors, but thought some of this info would be good to share generally.

Lyn Hitchon 

 

AZ Game and Fish

5000 W Carefree Hwy

(602) 942-3000

AZ Game and Fish, has documented the sighting.  Need to be vigilant and report again if he comes back and if there is a pattern.  Early morning, early evening, is typical, and they are drawn to water (we haven’t had rain in quite a while).  Meanwhile, my neighbors were out on their patio last night and heard an animal behind their fence and with a flashlight they could see the light reflection in its eyes but due to darkness were unable to identify the animal.  Be aware, he is in the neighborhood, call (602) 942-3000 to report a sighting.

Judie Preston

 

What to do if you see a mountain lion:

http://www.tucsontopia.com/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-mountain-lion/

Jakki Brooks

 

 

Just got off the phone with AZ Game and Fish... called me again - This  is the web-site that he suggested to inform neighbors 

https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/livingwith/mountainlions/

This happened at day break, yesterday morning, at my open patio door, with dog probably 2 feet away, with a screen separating the two. If I had not leaned over, to put his leash on, I would not have been eye to eye, but would have just opened the screen door. I have had bob cats with their kittens "sun bathing on the patio by the spa,  which return once in a while, and have had a close encounter with a bob cat several years ago in Anthem.  This was NO bob cat.  Quite large, had to jump a five foot vertical metal fence, as it would have never fit through the fence, solid body color, quite muscular, jumped like a deer after it slowly backed away from the door.  I think I scared it more than it scared me.  My reaction was to pick up the dog, (I was already leaning over with my hand on his collar to put his leash on), slam the patio door shut, while watching him/her take several slow steps backwards, then turn and take a few steps and it "leaped" down a few stairs, over bushes to a lower area in the yard.  I don't remember his tail, as I must have been in total awe with the graceful long leap it made. I had no interest in following him to see how he got out of the yard.  :) AZ Game and Fish said usually they are just passing through looking for food and water, and to come to the door probably was because of the dog.  BUT we need to be vigilant and report any more sightings. I have seen plenty of Javelinas outside my fence, on the side of the house, and at the front door, (eating geraniums) and that is one of mountain lions  favorites, but I haven't seen any deer, another favorite.

Judie

 

 

Judie,

This is great input!  Thanks for going into detail.  This sounds SO much better behavior wise than it could've been.  Day break is natural timing.  That's good.  It retreated rapidly, that's good.  It didn't swipe at the screen, that's good!  Everyone is safe, that's good!  Phew!  Things could've gone SO much worse!  Let's hope it's moving on to more open spaces!

Jakki

 

 

 

Hi Lyn,

I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving my position with Desert Foothills Land Trust in order to take a position as vice president and executive director of Audubon Arizona with the National Audubon Society. I’ll be with DFLT full-time this week, and will continue to assist as a volunteer through late April (largely to support our Sonoran Stars fundraising event on April 23). The Land Trust will be in good hands with a wonderful board, staff, and community of supporters! I will also continue to be a supporter for a long time to come. 

I’ll be checking this e-mail address, sperillo@dflt.org, through April 23. If you need to reach the Land Trust after my departure, you can contact 480-488-6131 and Mary Warren (Member Relations and Operations Manager), Vicki Preston (Conservation Director), or Marry Livingston (Administrative Assistant) will be happy to help you. Their e-mail addresses, as well as the e-mail address for Board Chair Richard Burns, are as follows: mwarren@dflt.org, vpreston@dflt.org, mlivingston@dflt.org, rrb@hanftlaw.com

We'd be grateful if you could help us spread the word.

Many thanks for your friendship, partnership and support during my 6+ years with the Land Trust. I am so grateful for my experiences here, and to you for your part in it. 

With sincere thanks,

Sonia Perillo, Executive Director