SW16: Pretty Birds in Patagonia

HBird's Eye View

Couldn't resist this one of a Great Horned Owl we chanced upon on the Bird Trail:

Day 16: February 21

It was a quiet night in our overflow spot. And we could use the Dump Station after 10 days! It's good to know that we can manage that long.

We had some information on San Pedro House, site of a Birding Trail not too many miles down the road. We got there and rode our bikes. 

As everywhere so far, there were very few birds though we did see our first Vermilion Flycatcher of the trip, our first confirmed Gila Woodpecker:

 lots of Green-tailed Towhees and this Loggerhead Shrike:

A couple recommended the Waste Water Treatment Site just down the road (they had been on a weekly guided bird hike there that morning), but, again, not a bird for us. However, we were impressed by the set up for birders here, so we stopped for lunch.

We got to Patagonia State Park, one of the great birding sites written about here in Arizona. We took Site 102 ($27 E/W). Since it was Sunday, the park was very busy since it is on a lake and many anglers, boaters and picnickers were around. We chatted with our neighbours from Alberta and sighted another Life Bird, a Broad-billed Hummingbird.

Here's the view of our site:

Day 17: February 22

We have had some strange musical “luck” while camping. Once, it was bagpipes at Bon Echo Provincial Park. Last night was a Drum Circle nearby!

It was on to the 9:00 Guided Bird Walk. With about 30 people, they split into smaller groups and we were happy to be with John, a quiet, unassuming full-timer from Colorado. It was a great walk along the creek, past cattle (one dead cow), meadows and lots of birds (33 species by my count), including Mr. And Mrs. Vermilion Flycatcher:

We had SIX Life Birds, thanks to John: Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Mexican Duck (only picture):

...oh, and a beautiful some kind of Swallowtail Butterfly (I refuse to start learning Butterflies!):

...but, alas, not the Elegant Trogon, a brightly-coloured southern bird, one of which has been spotted here recently. It was “the bird which shall not be named” because many, like us, struck out on sighting it. A very funny man called me over to show me a picture of what he had just seen (on his Ipod). It was this bird, but then he roared with laughter since it was a picture he had taken years ago. Funny guy!

We chilled for the afternoon and booked another night. Mandy seems happy with the decision:

Here's the view from my chair:

Day 18: February 23

More drumming last night!

We headed out on our own to the Birding Trail and ran into some people who had just seen the elusive Elegant Trogon. We followed their instructions of “go past the meadow, follow the cattle path, then when you hit the wash, look to your right”. Thankfully, there was a guy there with a huge camera lens, so we were in the right place. We watched this beauty for about an hour:

Elated, we continued the walk and saw some more nice birds. Along the river, I looked up (my neck hurts from several days of looking up) and chanced upon this guy:

His colouring was so beautiful that we doubted he was Great Horned Owl, but other birders we pointed him out to said he was for sure, but special with his colouring. He stayed put and we watched him for about 30 minutes. THIS was a good day.

On our way back, we stopped to see ET again (he had moved and the crowds were growing as word got out. So funny, though. I ran into yesterday's jokester with the fake picture and was able to lead him directly to the bird. His wife said it was perfect that it was I that helped HIM find the bird! Here's the back view:

Finally, a favourite bird from our Texas travels, a Verdin, appeared on an orange as we headed back:

Another sunny but windy afternoon. We continue to meet short-term neighbours and are invited over for wine and a fire with some people from Oregon. This has been a great stay. Off further west tomorrow.