The inevitable!

We all know certain times will come, like decline and death, for example. But in the process of living a full life, most of us don't focus on those things. I also knew, at some point, it won't be possible to water the oasis regularly. That time has come. Due partly to deterioration of the in-ground tanks, combined with drought, I had to start using the 65,000 gallon back up tank in mid-Feb, earlier than previously. I wasn't worried. I figured it'd last until we got rain. Normally, when we get rain in October, like we did last year, the oasis makes it fine until the next rainy season. And especially with the back up tank. But it didn't this year. In hindsight, I wish I had watered less since February. Just never dreamed...

Yesterday while my son and I were watering, he checked the level in the tank and it had only two feet left in it. We can't use the last foot because that keeps the tank from blowing away. (I had forgotten that) So that means one foot or about 10,000 gallons of water has to last until a monsoon... which may or may not happen soon. (Each time we water it uses about 2,500 gallons.) That means we could water another month if we cut it down to once a week. But that's risky. The water features have to be maintained. If it doesn't rain in a month, there'd be no water for that. So I've painfully decided to quit watering the trees until we get a monsoon. Some will die and some will survive. Life has stages, and this will be a new stage.

If there's a consolation, it's that the oasis will become easier to maintain. And, of course, with feeders and water features, it'll always attract birds. Especially the birds most desired by visitors, such as Lucifer Hummingbirds.

Along with the oasis decline is my physical decline. For about a month now I've had some type of vertigo. Later this week I have a doctor's appointment where I plan to address that issue. Still, I feel very lucky to be in as good a health as I am. And it's totally possible we'll get a monsoon any day now!

Per the trail cam, it appeared as if a juvenile (or female) Painted Bunting waited patiently on a male for its turn to bathe. The adult male bathed for a long time, and then the other one took a long bath. The action was captured on a series of clips. Here is one of them. 

Nearby, I sat and watched a male and female Bell's Vireo working on a new nest. Life is good!