SW16: Fine-Feathered Arizona

Sunset View at Whitewater Draw near McNeal, AZ:

Day 11: February 16

Do I need to keep saying what beautiful mornings we are having? Time to move to Arizona.

We stopped in Silver City, NM for supplies and saw the “Laundro Mutt Mobile Pet Groomer”! We crossed the Continental Divide and saw some snow in the mountains and at one point, at road level, in the bush. But it was warm! Actually, as the temperatures increased through the morning, so did the snowy views of the mountains.

As we crossed into Arizona, we crossed into Mandy's 22^nd state (tied with Cassie)! 

We drove into Portal and the Cafe in “town” and saw our first Acorn Woodpecker (Life Bird):

With some info in hand, we headed to the Sandy Flat Campground of the Coronado National Forest in the Chiricahua Mountains. We found a site, walked around, met our neighbours who are from Grand Bend, Ontario, and settled into this beautiful place (Site 3, $10 no services) and saw a few birds:

Here's the view from my chair:

Day 12: February 17

We got up and put out our Oriole/Hummingbird Feeder and a Blue-throated Hummingbird (Life Bird) appeared within seconds. It was a beautiful, clear blue-skied Arizona morning:

We rode our bikes 6.5 km (return) to Cave Creek Ranch where they have loads of feeders and provide seating and birding paraphernalia for $5 per person. Here are some of our sightings there:

...including two Life Birds, a Bridled Titmouse and an Arizona Woodpecker:

We had a quiet afternoon and enjoyed the view of OUR feeders:

Day 13: February 18

It was a beautiful morning, so we decided on a third night here. We watched our own feeders and spotted loads of Mexican Jays and a Yellow-eyed Junco, Lifers for us:

We rode the 6 km into Portal (all downhill with the wind at our backs; you know what that means, right?). We stopped at the adorable Post Office:

Thanks to a local, we saw a Great Horned Owl (who has nested and roosted here for 24 years!):

After a yummy lunch at the Portal Cafe:

...we rode to Dave Jasper's. He has been feeding birds for 12 years (and just moved to this location). He was awesome and loved sharing his love for birds, his girlfriend and Arizona. Here's Dave and his amazing view (note the snow):

He hates House Sparrows, by the way, and claims that a green laser beam or “Our Friend, The Pellet Gun” were handy!

We returned to our feeders. As David was packing away the Hummingbird Feeder, the Blue-throated appeared and buzzed him! So cute.

Day 14: February 19

Clouds???? Yep. But it seemed warmer this morning. We headed out early and saw these sights: the place where Geronimo's surrendered:

...and a “Can-Am Prototype?”:

...and many hawks at the top of hydro poles:

We got propane and groceries at Walmart, where the prices are in Pesos and Dollars (Agua Prieta is just across the border). I had heard about Whitewater Draw nearby, and the guy at the Info Centre recommended it for the Sandhill Cranes, so we headed there. After a short drive down a dusty road, we found the place and noticed a sign for Free Camping, so we found a spot and set up.

Thousands (I heard 7,000 were counted this January, though there were 30,00 reported last year) winter here before they migrate north. They are everywhere, around a pond and in the fields:

There are other birds here and many birders. We saw these; it was nice to see water birds!:

...including a Life Bird, a Green-tailed Towhee:

We met Karen and Jim from Burlington, Ontario, and enjoyed Happy Hour with them.

Here's the view of our free site:

Day 15: February 20

I got up at 6:00 AM and joined the many birders to experience the Sandhill Cranes leaving for the day. They actually spend the night in the water to avoid the predators. I watched for about an hour and was mesmerized by the noise, the floating, and the taking off in groups of 20-50:

TOTALLY worth the early morning.

We had our tourist moment in Tombstone:

...and we were happy to head out after buying my Valentine's present, a Sterling and Stone bracelet!

Some of the birders we met yesterday recommended the Monastery near St. David (okay, irresistible) for some birds, so we headed there:

The place is a Catholic Retreat and has a beautiful Celtic Cross:

...but, alas, no birds.

We thought we'd stay in Benson, but it was early and the RV parks were so open and dusty, so we drove to Kartchner Caves State Park. They were full, but offered Overflow for $15 (water and a picnic shelter) in the parking lot, and we took it.

Here's the view of our Overflow site: