April 26, 2024
Indigo Bunting, Rio Rico, 4-26-24
Indigo Buntings have started to arrive locally, being seen at feeders in Patagonia, Sonoita, and this bird at a private residence in Rio Rico. Rio Rico is a community a bit north of Nogales along the east side of I-19 and the Santa Cruz River. These birds have been extremely hard to find the last several years.
Rufous-backed Robin, Rio Rico, 4-26-24
Rufous-backed Robins have been seen in Sonoita Creek along Blue Haven Road in Patagonia, just west of Paton’s, since last fall. Another showed up at the same spot as the above Indigo Bunting about a week ago. Another bird to appear at the same spot is an adult American Goldfinch. Like the Indigo, American Goldfinches are not really rare, but can be hard to find and parse from its cousins. It has been worthwhile to check out every goldfinch.
American Goldfinch, Rio Rico, 4-26-24
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Tubac, 4-13-24.
Short-tailed Hawk, Tubac Hawk Watch, 4-11-24
Eleda Checkerspot. Almost identical to the Tiny Checkerspot.
The Hoosier Hotshots, 1940s.
An obscure but important musical group, The Hoosier Hot Shots, were active from about 1930 through the 1960s. Most famous was Paul “Hezzie” Treitsch who played odd instruments such as the slide whistle and one of his own invention- the “Wabash Washboard” – which was later copied by Spike Jones and others. The band’s signature spoken intro was “Are you ready Hezzie” – which gained its own currency. The band was essentially a Vaudeville act complete with novelty songs such as “She Broke My Heart in Three Places” (see link below). While the music is listenable and enjoyable in moderation, the shameless mugging by Hezzie can be tiring. One could describe the band’s style as Klezmer for Gentiles. The band can be seen in several movies, including the annoying “Rockin’ in the Rockies” with Spade Cooley and the Three Stooges (1945).
1957 Album