Howdee all,
Last week we met up with Kathie of Sycamore Canyon blog again..to do some more birding..
This time Kathie took us to Cienega Creek Preserve.
Read Kathies Post of our Day…its so delightful..and she makes you feel like you are there with her..I know..because I was.
She makes an awesome German Pancake with apples..I am dreaming about it now.
After Kathies wonderful breakfast she takes us to the Preserve..
First to an overlook..for a glimpse into the creek area…See the tall trees..
That is where we will hike to.. To the trail head We hike toward the tree tops..
The trees are in a wash… Almost there…the tops of the trees and views of the wash..
Going into the wash..It was very quiet as far as birds…
We find water…and I find a Rock Face…
Do you see the face?
Two big eyes and a nose..melting into the landscape..
The creek runs right in front of the face..
As we follow the creek we see lushness
This weed looks like watercress to me..but i wasn't sure..
We hike as far as possible in this lush oasis..
We spy a few Lesser Goldfinch..but..where are the other birds?
We decide to follow the creek in the opposite direction..hoping to find the source of the springs.
We see just a few birds here…Why no birds?
We find the area where the water starts flowing from underground..making this sweet little creek. Just beyond a Black Pheobe…chirps
Onward we walk thru the wash…trees clinging to the water cut bank.
Finally we hear birds…lots of birds..hundreds of birds..Up high in these tall trees…
These trees are blooming…and the birds are finding food up high in them..
Flocks of Robins, Lesser Goldfinch, Yellowrump warblers, Gilded flickers, Gila Woodpeckers and more…most were hard to see as they flitted around the top of the tall tree.
WWe spent some time looking at the birds..then hiked out and left Cienega springs…
the
Oasis in the DesertAfter a nice lunch nearby..
Kathie took us to see this Great horned Owl nest…
See the hole in the bank off the side of the road?
We stayed in the car… So as not to disturb this beautiful bird… We had a wonderful time…
Thanks Kathie and Gus for your warm hospitality!
Lets go birding again.
That sounds like such a wonderful time. The desert habitat is so foreign looking, so unlike Minnesota. I'd like to bird there some day too.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Owl shot. I didn't quite see the rock "face"
ReplyDeleteLooks like lovely weather out there.
Did you see any trains on the bridge?
Great trip and awesome Cienego Crk sign. Looks like the rockhead chin's buried in the wash, getting a drink. Seems unusual to see such a bright strip of green in the desert. But where there's water and food there's life. The owl is Very Cool. Hope you have fun birding with Kathie again.
ReplyDeleteI love reading accounts of the same outing written different participants. I can imagine Kathie is a wonderful tour guide.
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous there, sounds like a fantastic trip
ReplyDeletedan
JPT
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by..it was great!!
Lynne at Hasty Brook
You should visit..and you would have a great birding guide here...kathie know here birdies!
Gene
You didnt see the face?..look again..
no trains on the bridge..
Gaelyn
I am glad you saw the face..and you are right..it is sipping water!
Its always great to go out birding with Kathie!
Wren
Yes ..I also like reading different bloggers accounts of the same outing..Kathie is an excellent bird guide and knows her birdies well!
forestal
Its was a desert Oasis..loved it there..
Looks like a very enjoyable hike. Awesome little creek and Rockface. Especially Love the Hooty in the bank of rocks.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, love the green vegetation along the creek!
ReplyDeleteWeeds or not, it is so good to see GREEN!!! What a great hike you had. :c)
ReplyDeleteAnd I had a wonderful time just looking at your beautiful photographs. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow, Dawn, that green was something else.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast sounds good right about now. That green is so vivid.
ReplyDeleteSo you manage to combine two of your passions - birds and traveling!
ReplyDelete