Canoa Ranch, Arivaca, Amado & Tucson - March 12-16, 2024

 After leaving Madera Canyon, I dropped by Historic Canoa Ranch.  The ranch was founded in 1821, while this area was still part of Mexico.  In 1997, the county bought 4800 acres of the property to preserve it as a public museum.  Tours are given, but I just wanted to visit their pond and get photos of a few water fowl there.

Pied-bill Grebe

Say's Phoebe

American Wigeon (M)

American Wigeon (M)

Next day, I drove to Arivaca, near the Mexican border, to visit the Buenas Aires National Wildlife Refuge.  There are hundreds of such preserves around the country and I've been to more than a few.  Some are great, others not so much.  This one was disappointing because they had the roads inside the refuge closed until hunting season.  Bummer.  With 117,000 acres, walking is not a great option.  I was able to drive to a lake, but only a small part of it was accessible, and the parking area seemed to be home to some Mexicans men living in a car.  I didn't stay long.

 While in the area, I spotted a few birds and saw lots of hillsides covered with wildflowers.  The small village itself offered little of interest, other than one colorful mural.  The story of Arivaca was summed up by a sign announcing the start of their annual Vulture Festival.  Indeed, I saw a few vultures hanging out, just waiting for the festivities to begin.







Black-throated Sparrow

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M)

Vermilion Flycatcher (F)

Back in Amado, I came across different wildflowers, some that looked exactlylike Texas Bluebonnets, so I'll call them Arizona Blubonnets.  Still lots of the yellow wildflowers around.  Following signs to the Whipple Observatory, I passed a nice field of healthy Ocotillo and Teddy Bear Cholla cacti.  Turns out the observatory at the top of Mount Hopkins does not allow visitation, only the one at the foot of the mountain.  No thanks.  My consolation was a Kestrel posing nicely for me on the way back to camp.






American Kestrel

After losing a day to sporadic, but persistent showers, I went to Tucson on my last full day.  Sweetwater Wastewater Treatment facility is normally a great spot for birding.  Today was an exception, I'm afraid.  While seeing plenty of birds out of range, including a Cooper's Hawk, there wasn't much action in the ponds.  I did snap a pair of Ruddy Ducks before leaving.  As always when convenient, I visit the San Xavier del Bac mission on the Indian reservation.

Ruddy Duck (M)

Ruddy Duck (F)



 

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