SW16: Cacti, Hummingbirds and UFOs

Sunset View

A typical Western-movie sunset over Organ Pipe Cactus Monument Campground!

Day 19: February 24

There was no drumming circle last night, but a raucous campfire with two couples: Sue and Benita from Oregon/Phoenix and Marilyn and Dwayne from Phoenix. And the full moon rising was unbelievable!

We decided to head west due to the Tucson Rodeo, but stopped in Patagonia first to go to Paton's, an Audubon Site where Hummingbirds are fed. It was started by a couple who just loved the birds and was taken over when they couldn't do it any longer.

We did get a few pictures and a new Life Hummingbird, Anna's:

A quick stop for supplies, and we started for Organ Pipe. We saw our first Saguaros just outside of Tucson, and they, along with dozens of roadside shrines (to accident victims? to those dying after illegally entering?) lined the highway:

We missed being hit by INCHES leaving a gas station. Can't imagine how that might have gone. We asked ourselves:

But we made it safely to Organ Pipe National Monument Campground (Site 55, $16-plus $12 Park fee for a week-with no services). The place is gorgeous. Each site has a cement pad and patio, garden and access to restrooms and showers. Here's Site 55:

As we relaxed and birdwatched at our site:

..., Jane and Henry from Orillia, Ontario, joined us for Happy Hour. After dinner, we hoped to see the full-moon rise again, but settled for a gorgeous night sky with stars, the Milky Way, satellites and...bright orange bursts...three of them! UFOs for sure. Wow.

Day 20: February 25

Yesterday, we were able to snag two seats on the Alamo Canyon Ranger-led van tour for today. But first, we had to deal with the Coffee Incident of 2016 (which surpassed the Coleslaw Incident of 2011), Just as I was filling the Melitta carafe the second time, the counter extension collapsed and 10 cups of coffee and grounds crashed to the floor. Grinds and coffee everywhere. No pictures. No time. Bad words spoken by me. But cleaned (though we keep seeing evidence days later). And the glass coffee pot was fine!

The tour was great (and very soothing post-incident) and Joey was knowledgeable and funny. We learned about all the types of Cacti here, including Saguaros, Organ Pipes, Chainfruit Chollas, Ocotilla (though technically not Cacti) and Teddybear Cholla:

Here WE are, in our required couple shot by the most-photographed Organ Pipe Cactus in the park:

...and the Arches:

Oh, and when we asked about the UFOs? Well, the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range is nearby, and it was likely some kind of maneuvers we were seeing. I am sticking with our UFO story.

In the afternoon, we relaxed beneath our own Ocotilla and got some great Hummingbird shots, including a Life Bird, the Ruffous Hummingbird. Now HE'S a beauty:

We opened the hood of the MoHo like everyone else seemed to be doing. Guess Pack Rats are known to find nesting materials among the wiring, etc.! On to another Ontario Happy Hour with Jane and Henry and another couple.

Here's a view of our Hummingbird Ocotillo from my chair:

Day 21: February 26

We hiked around the campground looking for birds. We were rewarded with a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a favourite Phainopepla and a Life Bird (no photo), a Dusky Flycatcher:

After lunch, David and Mandy guarded the site, and I took the 2.5 mile hike to the Visitors Center to mail postcards. It was very hot and the sun was super strong (I am not complaining), so it was a great accomplishment.

I went to the evening Ranger Talk, Sonoran Sunsets, and enjoyed Ranger Sydney's photos and stories. I may have learned a little Physics, Botany and Geology as well (but don't ask).

Here's a Cat's Eye View of Mandy at Organ Pipe:

Day 22: February 27

Not in a rush to head back towards Tucson, we headed a little northwest, thanks to a tip from our Harley-riding neighbours from Wyoming. They mentioned the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site about 80 miles away, so we headed there. There were two Hi/Bye Border Patrol stops (though the second guy tried to trick us, asking if we were US citizens). Oh, and a nice convoy of Alpha Romeos!

We stopped for a Saturday Market in Ajo, a former Copper Mining Town:

One of the murals here reminded us of the Blue Flag we saw at Organ Pipe. It was explained that Humanitarians leave water and food for people crossing the desert illegally into the US:

...and arrived at the site near Gila Bend at lunchtime. It's BLM camping, no services but $8 a night. There are a few RVs here, and we're technically in Site 53, a huge and beautiful spot.

After lunch, we rode to the actual Petroglyphs and were amazed by the quantity and how well these etchings have lasted. Beautiful. This big "pile of rocks":

...became these amazing petroglyphs:

Oh, and just as a saw a Watch for Snakes sign, I saw this guy:

...and a few desert flowers:

Back home, we gathered firewood (yay) and lounged in the shade (it was a very hot day), watching an Anna's Hummingbird at our feeder:

Here's the campfire view of our site: