Southwest Bird-Nerding Part 1

 

Connie and I at the Grand Canyon

Connie and I took a two-week vacation in early December this past year. We decided to do a trip that was focused on birding. Early December is migrating time for a lot of great birds in the southwest. So, we focused our efforts on that. We spent one week in Phoenix and one week in South Texas along the Rio Grande Valley. Rest assured we saw a plethora of birds. We saw every bird we hoped to see, except for the painted bunting. We didn't really expect to see the painted bunting because their migration through Texas usually ends the first week of December. There was one seen on South Padre Island as late as Dec. 8th, but alas we did not make it in time. We still had one of the most enjoyable, fun, and relaxing vacations ever. This blog will be all about Arizona, and I will write a 2nd blog about Texas. 7 days in each place is a lot to condense to one blog. So read on and enjoy! 

We started in Phoenix from December 3rd through the 10th. We stayed at a fun AirBnB in the foothills of the South Mountain near Phoenix. Connie had stayed here last April with Sandy, and I can see why they loved it so much. We were greeted by Dakota, one of the resident huskies. He showed us to our door with his tail wagging. I also met Mishka, the other resident husky, and Hagrid the resident giant tortoise. The residents just added to all the fun we had there. Not to mention our actual hosts. Ha. 

Connie doing some bird-nerding on our first day

One of the first different birds we saw was the Gilded Flicker. Similar to the Northern Flicker, but with some subtle differences.

The trip wasn't all about birds. We love all wildlife, and this mountain goat was a pleasant and fun surprise for us.

Our first morning we went for a hike up South Mountain along Geronimo Trail. A short quarter-mile walk led us to the trailhead. From there we hiked up the mountain a way. All and all we walked about 5 miles the first day and saw a lot of fun birds in the scenic desert mountain. We also saw other wildlife, like the mountain goat pictured above. The trip was off to a great start. 

After a short rest, we headed to Rio Salado Park along the Salt River. We hadn't had enough bird-nerding for the day. This was a short walk along the Salt River near Nina Mason Pulliam Audubon Center. There were a few birds here. Most notably we saw the Says Phoebe, Aberts Towhee, and a few Yellow-Rumped Warblers. After a couple of more miles of walking, we went home for an evening of relaxing. 

A view of a mountain from the desert floor.

Our second day we ventured out to Tonto National Forest. This was worth the 45-minute drive for sure! We had no plans other than to stop when we wanted and walk when we felt like it. The first stop was a random parking lot with a trail through the desert. So, we decided to walk a few miles here. The cacti are so unique and plentiful in Tonto. We didn't see a lot of birds here, but we were treated to a Gila Woodpecker, Phainopepla, and 2 Harris Hawks. Connie had seen the Gila in April, but the rest of the birds were new to us. 

A Harris Hawk sitting on top of a cactus looking for lunch

It flew directly above us. 

After a 3-mile hike or so, we drove further down the road. Connie and her sister Sandy had kayaked the Salt River back in April. In December it is drier, so kayaking wasn't a great option. Hiking was though. We pulled over at Blue Point Recreation and walked a trail above the river. The views were spectacular, and again we were treated to some unique birds. One such bird was the Greater Yellowlegs. At first, I thought it was a spotted sandpiper. Merlin identified it as a Greater Yellowlegs, and I believe Merlin is accurate. Apparently, it is a rare bird in the area, so what a neat find for us. 

A Greater Yellowlegs in the Salt River

We were also treated to an aerial show by an osprey along our walk. We also saw a Great Blue Heron up on the cliffside. We have seen both birds before of course, but not in such an interesting scenery. All and all we enjoyed this stop for sure. After a 2-mile walk along the river, we drove up to see Saguaro Lake and then headed back to our AirBnB. 

Our 3rd day we went back to Rio Salado to explore the Nina Mason Pulliam Audubon Center and walk along the Salt River more. We strolled along the river in a fairly secluded spot. It wasn't part of the Audubon Center, but they did direct us to it. We were treated to some fun birds here as well, and an extremely cool wildlife experience! As we were watching an American Kestrel, a Harris Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk, a coyote came along and took a dump about 50 yards from us! Maybe he was telling us this was his territory?! Although, I imagine he didn't even realize we were there. Either way, it was our first CLOSE encounter with a coyote while hiking and we thoroughly enjoyed it. He was a beautiful creature, and it was fun to watch him a bit, unnoticed.

An American Kestrel. We have these in Wisconsin, but I have only seen it twice here.

If you got to go, you got to go! :0)

After a half day at Rio Salado, we ate lunch at a fun Mexican restaurant and then headed over to Cesar Chavez Park. It is a small local park, but there were plenty of birds to watch. We saw another American Kestrel here, but the really fun bird we watched was the Red-Naped Sapsucker. He flew all around us and into a couple of different trees to eat berries. 

                                                        

A Red-Naped Sapsucker

                   

Now that is a mouth full! 

After exploring Cesar Chavez Park for a few hours, we headed back to our AirBnB. We hung out with Dakota, Mishka, and Hagrid for a little while before turning in. The next day Mitch and Sandy were flying in to join us on some adventures for a few days. 

On our 4th day of vacation Mitch and Sandy came over for breakfast. Then we headed over to Mormon Trail along the base of South Mountain. It was just a short 0.5 mile walk to the trailhead. Then we walked about up and all over the mountain. We put our bird-nerding to the side a little while we enjoyed Sandy and Mitch's company along with the scenic views of Phoenix below. 

Sandy, Connie and Mitch on Mormon Trail. Downtown Phoenix is visible in the backdrop.

It was a gloriously beautiful day as we walked up South Mountain via Mormon Trail. It was a semi vigorous hike that covered approximately 6 or 7 miles. Our goal was to make it to Fat Man's Pass. This is a tunnel that you have to squeeze through. As we got closer to the top, someone told us Fat Man's Pass wasn't all that exciting and there were more scenic tunnel areas the other way. So, we detoured a bit to the other area. The whole mountain and trail were wonderful. I don't think we could have gone wrong. It was an enjoyable, exhilarating, exhausting day. Especially for Mitch and Sandy who didn't get in until 3am and were up to start hiking around 9am. What troopers! 

One of the tunnels we walked through. No squeezing needed.

Mitch liked to go "off" trail at times. Everywhere was scenic.

We all went home for an afternoon of rest and relaxation, so we could be ready for more hiking the next day. We did go out to Pedal Haus Brewery for a fun and yummy dinner in Tempe before getting a good night's rest. The 2nd day we had breakfast at Mitch and Sandy's AirBnB. They had a place right at the base of the mountain. It was a great place to eat before a nice long day of hiking. 

     

Mitch and I enjoying our breakfast on the patio.

Today we decided to drive to Saguaro Lake and The Butcher Jones Recreation area for our next hike. We hiked 8 or 9 miles this day along Saguaro Lake. The views were breath taking at every turn. We were also treated to a few birds here. Some routine and some unique ones. We saw Cardinals, Ladder-back woodpeckers, and Phainopeplas here, among others. 

The Cardinals in Arizona appeared redder than ones in Wisconsin. Is that possible? :0)

A view of Saguaro Lake from the trail above.

The Butcher Jones trail took us along the edge of the lake, up and down and all around. The contrast of the blue water and the desert scene behind it was fascinating. Not to mention the weather was a perfect 76 degrees and sunny. Don't worry, we were well hydrated and rested. Along the trail we saw a lot of fun, unique cacti. We also watched kayakers and boats below and birds up above. If you are ever in the Phoenix area, we highly recommend this trail for a day hike. Pack a lunch and lots of fluids! 

Sandy enjoying the view of Saguaro Lake from the trail above

I took way too many photos of cacti, but I especially liked this one.

After walking all morning and part of the afternoon, we drove out of Tonto National Forest for a late lunch. We then headed over to the beautiful local Desert Botanical Gardens. We got there close to sunset, which offered some fun photo opportunities of sunsets behind the cactus and Christmas lights after the sunset. It is a beautiful garden that is well done. 

There is something about a sunset behind a cactus. The one in the distance looks like a "hiker" to me, with a rifle on his back perhaps?

This one I accidentally captured Connie's phone as she took the same photo. Ha Ha.

After a good night's rest, our last day in Arizona involved a road trip. Not just an ordinary road trip though, one to the Grand Canyon. Neither Mitch, Sandy nor Connie had ever seen the Grand Canyon. I had seen it, but it has been over 20 years! It was time to revisit. Neither of us were disappointed of course. Everywhere you looked it was just grandeur after grandeur. I guess it is named properly at least. We spent the full day walking the South Rim and exploring different vantage points. We explored Grand Canyon Village a little and even saw elk along the way. At sunset we stopped at the Desert View Watchtower. They close the watchtower at 5pm and sunset was at 5:18pm. This seemed a bit weird, but whatever. :0). We got a glimpse of the sunset, but it was 20 degrees and windy out. We were freezing, so we didn't stay long. Anyway, it was totally worth it. 

Connie and I with the Grand Canyon behind us.

Mitch and Sandy from a different lookout area.

We did see a few birds here that we didn't see anywhere else. Most notably the Mountain Chickadee, the Juniper Titmouse, and the Bushtit. We drove along the desert view highway on our way out and enjoyed the last glimpses of this majestic area. We stopped in Flagstaff, which is one of my old stomping grounds from my traveler days. We ate dinner at a yummy vegan Thai Restaurant and then headed back to Phoenix for a goodnight's sleep. We said our goodbyes to Mitch and Sandy as they would be heading back to Wisconsin the next day. Connie and I were heading to South Texas for a fully immersive bird nerd experience. You will have to read the next blog for that adventure. In the meantime, below is my "best of" album for the full 2 weeks. In essence, you can get a sneak peek into our Texas portion of our vacation. I hope you enjoyed my review and look forward to the next. 

                                https://photos.app.goo.gl/YvLfgdTSwW8XpUQZ7

                              No Go Out and Hug a Bird Nerd Today!!!