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Ash Canyon - June 29, 2025

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   Back in Ash Canyon today, enjoying the thoughtful placement of blinds, feeders and natural perches that make photography easy.  Being able to see and photograph a variety of birds without a lot of walking, and having the opportunity to photograph them with clear lines of sight, make it so nice for folks like me who can no longer walk the long, steep trails required in many locations.  I really appreciate  what Tim and his helpers have done, not to mention the previous owner who established this sanctuary many years ago. Anna's (M) Lesser Goldfinch (M) Blue Grosbeak (M) Scott's Oriole (F) Scott's Oriole (J) Hooded Oriole (M) Hooded Oriole (F) Western Tanager (F) House Finch (M) House Finch (F) Spotted Towhee (M)) Brown-headed Cowbird (M) Brown-headed Cowbird (F) Curve-billed Thrasher White-winged Dove Acorn Woodpecker (F) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Lark Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak (F) Black-headed Grosbeak (M) Bewick's Wren Cactus Wren Broad-billed (F) ...
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Box Canyon & Madera Canyon - June 26, 2025

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 Seeking a change of scenery and a different selection of birds, I set off to visit Madera Canyon.  The 1.5 hour drive goes through Box Canyon, a beautiful gorge with  a winding and unpaved road.  This little-visited canyon is home to the rare Five-striped Sparrow, which I've never seen, as well as several uncommon birds.  However, on this day, there was minimal bird activity and I photographed only a Red-tailed Hawk. Red-tailed Hawk   Madera Canyon has always been good to me, with a variety of birds that don't appear, or not often, on our side of the mountains.  On past visits, I've gotten photos of Rivoli's Hummingbirds, Beryline Hummingbirds, Hepatic Tanagers, Arizona Woodpeckers, and others.  All of those birds were here today, but stayed far away, or in the trees, or in the shade.  Bottom line, I didn't get acceptable photos of any of those cool birds.  I had to remind myself that birding is like golf: It's the bad days that make yo...
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Ash Canyon - June 23, 2025

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 No rattlesnakes today, but lots of birds, and a decent crowd of humans.  After several days of triple digits, today's forecast was for a high of 87F, and there was no wind at home.  In the canyon, however, there was a stiff breeze that actually made it feel cool.  What a difference twenty miles can make when you are getting into the mountains.  I headed for the new blind pretty quickly, as it is sheltered from the wind. Bewick's Wren House Finch (M) House Finch (F) Curve-billed Thrasher Black-headed Grosbeak (M) Black-headed Grosbeak (F) Western Tanager (M) Spotted Towhee (M) Anna's Gambel's Quail (M) Gambel's Quail (M & F) Gambel's Quail (F) White-breasted Nuthatch Acorn Woodpecker (F) Scott's Oriole (M) Scott's Oriole (F) Northern Mockingbird White-winged Dove Mourning Dove Mexican Jay Canyon Towhee Lucy's Warbler (M) Lark Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird (F) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Gila Woodpecker (M)  
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