When I mentioned I was moving to SE Arizona, most people told me it was going to be unbearably hot—but we’re actually in a beautiful grassland area at 5,000 feet, right on the edge of the Sonoran Desert. Thanks to the elevation, our temperatures are usually about 10 degrees cooler than in Tucson. And in summer, we get one of the best seasonal gifts: monsoon season!

Monsoon typically starts around the 4th of July, and this year, it’s right on time! Over the next few weeks, the landscape will transform—turning green and lush in ways I can hardly imagine, but I’m incredibly excited to witness it. By September, the southbound bird migration will be in full swing and we’ll be surrounded by butterflies! 

Last night, we sat outside with a glass of champagne, soaking in the view while the hummingbirds put on quite the show. I don’t know if they get as excited about the monsoon as we do, but they were buzzing around with extra energy. We even had two new visitors: a Rufous and a Lucifer—both stunningly beautiful (and feisty).

Now it's time to get back to work, though I must admit, the view is a major distraction. I’ll be sharing new work in the next few days—stay tuned!

Josie