Hummers and Rattlers

Morning View

Our first morning in Palm Springs was warm and beautiful.  It was 65 degrees when we went out on the balcony to enjoy our coffee and watch the wildlife.  It’s really peaceful here in the mornings. 

At Least 3 Hummers In this Pcs

One of our “must-dos” in Palm Springs is visiting the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons.  We first like to go up to the Trading Post to visit the hummingbirds and check on local conditions.  You can see six different species of hummingbirds here in the Coachella Valley, none of which can been found back home.  And, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird from back home is never found here.

Now that we’ve learned about energy vortexes in Sedona, we’re convinced that Andreas Canyon must also be a vortex.  It’s been visited by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for about 2000 years and long been considered a spiritual center by them.   Maybe that’s why we like to climb out on a rock in the mountain stream and just “be”.  (If you know me, I can’t just “be”….that’s what Mona does…I read a book.)  Anyway, that’s what we did….climbed out on a rock and spent a couple of hours there.  Then we hiked Murray Canyon.  Feels like home here.

Trailhead Sign at Indian Canyon

One things we love about this area are the different animals here.  We love watching the hummingbirds, lizards, ducks, herons and roadrunners.  One thing you have to keep in mind is that there is a heavy concentration of rattlesnakes in this area.  However, we've been hiking these trails since 1998 and have seen only one rattlesnake....and would have missed it had not Monte said, "What's that?!?!"  (BTW....don't poke them with a stick!)  We don't worry about the snakes, but we do have them in mind as we hike.

Luckily, no rattlesnakes on this visit...just hummingbirds and lizards.  Hoping we'll see a few more critters through the week.  And, we actually wouldn't mind seeing a rattlesnake, provided it's at least five or six feet away!