Arizona Photography

 I finally made it back to Ash Canyon on a calm, but very chilly morning.  There were no other visitors for a while, so I had it all to myself, other than a horde of Yellow-rumped Warblers.  My goodness, they were everywhere and posing nicely.  I took far too many shots of them, but was very selective in choosing keepers.  I'll be even more selective in what to include here, not wanting to bore you.  I didn't stay as long as normal, but still got a good variety of species. Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Anna's (M) Orange-crowned Warbler Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (F) Acorn Woodpecker (M) Acorn Woodpecker (F) Mexican Jay Chipping Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Curve-billed Thrasher Rock Squirrel Phainopepla (F)

 After an absence of more than a week, I was determined to visit Ash Canyon.  Leaving home on a beautiful, cool and calm morning, I was surprised to find it was extremely windy in the canyon.  I saw a couple birds braving the conditions, but it was apparent that most birds were too smart to show themselves on such a day.  I left after only a few minutes.   Gila Woodpecker (M) Yellow-rumped Warbler Searching various birding reports, It seemed that Whitewater Draw was an active area.  While I thought it may be a little early for the wintering birds, reports were favorable for both Sandhill Cranes and songbirds.  I made the 50 mile trek based on what I had read, but was disappointed when no cranes were in sight.  I could hear a few, but they were hidden far away, apparently in a low area.  Further, there was little water near the trail, so any ducks on site were also hidden away.  Fortunately, there were a few shore birds and song birds available, as well as the usual raptors, to save my