The Birth of a Blog

( Rock Wren photo by Gus Jan 5, 2008)

A year ago on July 3rd, in the midst of chaos, Sycamore Canyon was born. I was in Connecticut at the time visiting my family. My mom had invited my brothers and sister and all resulting children and grandchildren over to the house for a good-bye celebration. Amidst the jumble of babies and bodies my youngest brother, Chris and his partner, T accompanied me to my mother’s room where her computer stood in a dark corner between her dresser and her bed. A dim yellow light cast a warm glow on the slanted ceiling that cramped the space even more. Chris and T had been telling me for months that I needed to start a Blog. Now T sat at the computer, logged onto Blogger, and started the process. I stood behind him, dazed and confused.

(Costa's Hummingbird photo by Gus Jan 3, 2008)

We named the Blog Sycamore Canyon, but when we tried to get that name as our URL it was already taken. In the rush of everyone wanting to leave and me in my ignorance and under pressure of time, I chose coronadetucson, figuring no one would have that URL. I was right and Sycamore Canyon was born. The info was emailed to my home email address, Chris and T left with the rest of the family, and the next morning I drove to the airport at 4 a.m. and was home to Tucson by 10. It was the morning of the 4th of July.

(Male Lesser Goldfinch by Gus, January 3, 2008 Nikon D80)

It took until July 27 for me to get brave enough to get online and try to figure the whole thing out. I was a babe in the waters, not knowing anything about how a blog works. T had said he couldn’t wait until he saw a long blog roll in my side bar. I didn’t know what he was talking about. I stumbled and fumbled my way through, reading Blogger Help articles and clicking on this and that, always fearful that I would do permanent damage to something and I wouldn’t know how to fix it.

(Gilded Flicker phot0 by Kathie May 2007 Nikon D80 70-300mm lens)

My early attempts at blogging were mostly the written word. I love to write and I only knew I wanted to write about birds, nature and wildlife and my experiences of living here in Sycamore Canyon. Then I learned how to add pictures. I remember the first day someone commented in on my blog, and the first day someone other than a family member or friend did. I was ecstatic and I think I cried with joy. Now, a year later, I know how to upload photos, format and, just 2 days ago, I finally figured out how to create a scheduled post! Woo Hoo!

(Burrowing owl photo by Kathie February 5, 2008 Nikon D80 70-300mm lens)

Today I’m leaving on a jet plane for CT and Maine. While there I hope to be able to get on my mother’s new computer, which is still in a dark corner of her bedroom, and post to my Blog from there. However, if you don’t hear from me within the next 2 weeks, I’ll have lots of stories to tell when I return.

(Roadrunner photo by Gus, January 20, 2008 Nikon D80 70-300mm lens)

The blogging baby is growing up! I might be considered a blogging teenager now!

(Sycamore Canyon photo by Kathie March 18, 2008 Nikon D80 70-300mm lens)

If you want to read my very first post, which tells how we came to Sycamore Canyon click on the Introduction.

(Cactus Wren Photo by Kathie March 18, 2008, Nikon D80 70-300mm Lens)