Yet one more gorgeous sunny cool Arizona morning under blue blue skies...
There was a Sinoloa Wren also present at Tubac; however, this was somewhat of an impulsive stop and we / I didn't get perfect directions so we never did see it. We were about half a mile north of it's preferred showing place.
But, no matter, because we spent time meandering the trails near the Santa Cruz River. Most Arizona rivers are dry now although do run certain times of the year. There was some water here, however, and a bridge which I thought was the wren hangout, so that is where we stopped. One can always see the flood plain with massive logs strewn about, detritus and matted flora from high water. Today, though all was benign and easily walkable.
We saw Phainopeplas, a cryptically colored Vermilion flying back and forth, a pair of mating Gray Hawks and a Lucy's Warbler (life bird for both of us). Again, DHC persisted in following its song which is what good birders do. I usually ramble around just looking randomly for movement, hearing birds but not chasing their music; however, I am learning to do this...sort of. Lucy's is an unpretentious gray warbler, common out west and one of the trio of western "girl" warblers along with Virginia's and Grace's...(still need to see Grace's.)
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| Gray Hawks - Tubac - AZ |
Gila Woodpeckers were loud overhead sounding very much like Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Upon leaving Tubac, we went north to Madera Canyon, specifically, Santa Rita Lodge where we joined a dozen other birders on the patio overlooking the feeders and eventually saw a Band-tailed Pigeon (a life bird) for both of us. DHC got her first Red-naped Sapsucker also. Hummers were abundant (Rufous, Broad-billed, Magnificent...), as were Pine Siskins. The adjacent gift shop beckoned, small but with attractive unique items, and we each spent a little more money on Mexican pottery. The more I see of this art, the more I am taken by it.
I showed DHC the trailhead for Madera Canyon, a short distance up from the lodge, but passing through a major bridge-building / road-widening project that has been going on for months necessitating noisy heavy trucks lumbering up and down the road several times a day. The scene still looks like a violent gouging of the earth in this peaceful canyon...and is only a very short distance from where the road ends, so the question is? Why?
Earlier this spring, I had talked with one of the owners of the SR Lodge about jaguars in these mountains, and he told me what he has seen over the years. I can concentrate either on the visual of the earth-rape we saw or of jaguars moving mysteriously through these mountains. The finished road will surely allow certain drivers to drive too fast down the canyon.... Trogons live here also and Elf Owls, and some of their habitat is being destroyed without doubt. It was one of the most egregious desecrations of land I've seen on my trip.
Should we visit our Uncle and Aunt who live in Green Valley? He is our mother's only living sibling. Of course we should. We called from the post office where DHC mailed some of her stuff home to lighten her load, a smart move since she was accumulating more as she was in a mildly acquisitive phase.
Our visit was fine, sweet and short, and we mostly caught up on 30+ years of family. My aunt was as classy as ever. My uncle has always been lively and funny. We immediately asked how his kids were and he immediately replied, "Well, we have 18..." (Actually, they have five). He always made us laugh and still does. Their home overlooks the valley and the mountains to the east. We admired my aunt's paintings, her garden and their gigantic saguaro cactus which they had planted as a two-foot specimen years ago.
Just before we got on the Interstate north to Tucson, DHC realized she didn't have her glasses (plural...two pair, both of which she left at our uncle's home) which she retrieved, fortunately realizing this before we drove much farther.
Paying better attention to the venue, we arrived at a Hampton for the night, a Priceline deal that cost about $50 total. Which was nice....and we ate across the street in a Sheraton at a window on the courtyard. The doors to the outside were open; it was perfect relaxation, enhanced by a couple glasses of wine.
Upon leaving Tubac, we went north to Madera Canyon, specifically, Santa Rita Lodge where we joined a dozen other birders on the patio overlooking the feeders and eventually saw a Band-tailed Pigeon (a life bird) for both of us. DHC got her first Red-naped Sapsucker also. Hummers were abundant (Rufous, Broad-billed, Magnificent...), as were Pine Siskins. The adjacent gift shop beckoned, small but with attractive unique items, and we each spent a little more money on Mexican pottery. The more I see of this art, the more I am taken by it.
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| Band-tailed Pigeon - Madera Canyon - AZ |
I showed DHC the trailhead for Madera Canyon, a short distance up from the lodge, but passing through a major bridge-building / road-widening project that has been going on for months necessitating noisy heavy trucks lumbering up and down the road several times a day. The scene still looks like a violent gouging of the earth in this peaceful canyon...and is only a very short distance from where the road ends, so the question is? Why?
Earlier this spring, I had talked with one of the owners of the SR Lodge about jaguars in these mountains, and he told me what he has seen over the years. I can concentrate either on the visual of the earth-rape we saw or of jaguars moving mysteriously through these mountains. The finished road will surely allow certain drivers to drive too fast down the canyon.... Trogons live here also and Elf Owls, and some of their habitat is being destroyed without doubt. It was one of the most egregious desecrations of land I've seen on my trip.
Should we visit our Uncle and Aunt who live in Green Valley? He is our mother's only living sibling. Of course we should. We called from the post office where DHC mailed some of her stuff home to lighten her load, a smart move since she was accumulating more as she was in a mildly acquisitive phase.
Our visit was fine, sweet and short, and we mostly caught up on 30+ years of family. My aunt was as classy as ever. My uncle has always been lively and funny. We immediately asked how his kids were and he immediately replied, "Well, we have 18..." (Actually, they have five). He always made us laugh and still does. Their home overlooks the valley and the mountains to the east. We admired my aunt's paintings, her garden and their gigantic saguaro cactus which they had planted as a two-foot specimen years ago.
Just before we got on the Interstate north to Tucson, DHC realized she didn't have her glasses (plural...two pair, both of which she left at our uncle's home) which she retrieved, fortunately realizing this before we drove much farther.
Paying better attention to the venue, we arrived at a Hampton for the night, a Priceline deal that cost about $50 total. Which was nice....and we ate across the street in a Sheraton at a window on the courtyard. The doors to the outside were open; it was perfect relaxation, enhanced by a couple glasses of wine.
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| Blooming Ocotillo - near Green Valley, AZ |
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