Stranded in Catalina State park

Howdee all,

It rained last night and on and off today.

The road out of the campground is full of water and sand.

  So we cant leave… Campers that left early in the day cant get back in

Thats alright, we knew this might happen and stocked our pantry..

Besides, look at the view ..And tonight's sunset..Was just gorgeous.. The mountains were pink.. The clouds were pink.. Lots of campers were out taking photos..   So, we don't mind being stranded     Its quite comfy here..

Catalina State park bird walk, Tucson, AZ

Howdee all,

Every Friday when camped at Catalina State Park we go on the morning bird walk led by a volunteer.

We started off our last bird walk with a pair of Coopers Hawks..

male with his back to us.. Female on the opposite side of the path..

Some of the birders are locals, snowbirds or campers..

Red-naped sapsucker

 Distant Western bluebird views

Beautiful mountain views ..

I will miss our bird walks here..

A common bird in Catalina..

Cardinal

We were so lucky to see this Western Screech owl warming up in the morning sun

  Distant views of Loggerhead shrike My favorite bird of the day recently arrived from the south..

He is my spark bird..

Six years ago today, when in Catalina state park..

I saw this red beauty..

He sparked my interest in birding…

Thanks

Mr. Vermillion Flycatcher

Florida Wash,AZ Rufous-capped warbler

Howdee all,

This past Wednesday, Jeff, Kathie from Sycamore Canyon blog, and I went in search of the Rufous-capped warbler.

A rare visitor to Arizona..from Mexico..read about the bird here

Jeff had GPS coordinates and a some brief directions..

The GPS coordinates took us to us to a work station off the Florida Wash.

Jeff's directions said we were to look for a dam..and a tree above the dam. I headed downstream to where we crossed a small bridge over the wash.

Was this where they meant?

It wasn't a dam.

We decided this wasn't the area and went back to the parking area and started following a trail that crossed the water filled wash.

  Luckily, while on the trail, we met a photographer on his way back to the parking area.

He was out trying to get photos of the bird..he wasn't able to find it, he said he had been three times previously with no luck,

He did give us detailed directions to follow to the dam. Also the time of day the warbler was previously spotted 11am and 3pm.It was around 9:30, so we thought we may have a chance… So we thanked him and went on our way..gaining a bit in elevation.. Then to the dam…and the burnt sycamore above the dam.

We looked around the wash for the bird…

We were told it would be down low in the reeds……it was very quiet..…no birds..

Jeff went further up the wash…

Kathie and I stayed behind to hang out and wait …

No birds ..

but always something of interest..

Cactus growing on rock… Spiders…

  Kathie and I then heard a bird calling..close to the Sycamore tree..

We located a Canyon wren..and since we saw no other birds..focused our attention on it..

It was around 11am…

I happened to turn to my right…And out pops this little critter…

I was so excited…

I called Kathie as softly as my excitement would allow me..tee hee..

She started clicking away with her Camera..

check out her photos here….

also check out this photo I found on flickr  I took these photos after I calmed down..

and realized the bird was sticking around for a bit..  

There was another couple upstream looking for the bird as well and I motioned to them…

Still no Jeff….We had awesome looks!

…the warbler was working its way upstream..  Luckily, Jeff was on his way back to the area..and he was able to see the warbler

We followed the bird further upstream until it was difficult to follow any further..     We were all thrilled… We saw our target bird..and it was beautiful!

A life bird for all three of us!

Happy and Hungry we headed back to the car..

Another great day of birding!

Cienega Creek, Tucson, Az

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

Bright greens line the creek…

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.