Sonoita & Patagonia, Arizona - April 30, 2023

Arizona Photography is intended to share photos taken locally at times when I'm unable to travel.  Most of my activity at home centers around birding, with visits to local sanctuaries or nearby towns that offer good birding opportunities.  Accordingly, most of the photos that I post on this web site will be birds or other wildlife.  Arizona has many small mountain ranges, called "sky islands", and the canyons within those ranges are home to many species of birds that are seen nowhere else with the U.S.  Many are indigenous to Mexico and Central America, but just happen to spread across the border into this area.  Sierra Vista claims to be the "hummingbird capital of America" due to the number of distinct species that may be see here.

Sonoita and Patagonia are small towns about 40 and 50 miles from my home.  Sonoita is historically a cattle ranching community, while Patagonia originated from nearby mining operations.  Birding in Sonoita is mainly done on back roads and at  stock tanks, small ponds dug in the open pastures.  Patagonia has a couple established sanctuaries that attract large numbers of visitors from all over the country.

In the early postings of Arizona Photography, I'll be doing a little catch up.  By that I mean I will be posting photos that were already shown on Google Photos, where only a few people were able to see them.  Also, please note that I will attempt to identify the species and sex, but I am by no means an expert and will certainly make mistakes.  I don't mind corrections from anyone who is more knowledgeable.

Chihuahuan  Meadowlark

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Horned Lark

Iris

Barn Swallow

Song Sparrow

Inca Dove

Lazuli Bunting (M)

Lazuli Bunting (F)

Bewick's Wren

Common Yellowthroat

Black-chinned Hummingbird (F or J)

Black-chinned Hummingbird (F or J).

Broadbilled Hummingbird

Columbine

Black-chinned Hummingbird (F or J)

Lucy's Warbler (F)

Gambel's Quail

Gila Woodpecker (M)

Northern Cardinal (M)

Abert's Towhee

Gila Woodpecker (F)

Pronghorns

Red-tailed Hawk


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