Tucson Sunsets and Bats

The sunsets from our rental house in Tucson were pretty spectacular in June because the monsoon season was close enough for interesting cloud formation (but not rain). It was comfortable to sit outdoors watching the colors crescendo and then fade. It was not as hot as it is now in Tucson and there had not been rain yet so there were no mosquitos.

The other phenomenon at that time of day in Tucson in June is the emergence of bats from the overpasses at dusk. On one of the last days we were in Tucson we decided see them emerge at a place where there is a walkway under the overpass. We heard sounds as we walked underneath. Was that the bats moving? It turns out that it was but we didn’t see them. They were far up in the nooks and crannies of the overpass. We watched for a few minutes - waiting. And then the first bats took to the air. More and more emerged and flew off in both directions in clusters. They were off to enjoy ripe Saguaro fruits. It was all over in about 5 minutes. Walking back to the car, the pile of monsoon clouds was reflecting the last of the daylight.