One of my favorite places to bird in Saguaro National Park is the Javalina Picnic area of the Rincon Mountain Unit. You do not have to drive the entire Cactus Forest Loop road to get here. After passing through the gate you just turn right and follow the road to the end. If you are smart you will have brought your breakfast or lunch or cup of coffee, but either way, you just pick out a picnic table and sit down and wait for the birds to come to you! While you are waiting you can drink your coffee or tea, or cold beverage in the summer time and relax. Just make sure you have your camera ready, because the birds will get up close and personal with you! I drove here after finding the Crissal thrasher with Chris and though there were lots of people, there were also lots of birds! This is the same place we took Cynthia to when she visited a week before.
I just want to give a big shout out to all of our National Parks and Refuges which are under threat from the sequester. As citizens we have already paid for these parks. They are our heritage and the preservation of our natural future. They provide beauty, recreation, and peace for us, and habitat for wildlife. We need to continue to fund these parks. They need to stay open! Every year I buy the interagency pass so that I can visit as often as I like. They are my favorite playground. Please support your National Parks and hug a ranger while you’re at it! (or at least tell them thank you!)
Happy Birthday to my favorite park ranger, Gaelyn!
Towhee on Trash Can. Nesting material anyone?
Links:
- Patient Observations (Chris’ Post)
- Birding with Tucson Friends (Cynthia’s Post)
What a great series of birds! We don't have any of these in my area. Enjoyed each and every view!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie! Loved your blackbirds!
DeleteNice pics Kathie!! I've had a nice break from birding. I've taken the past couple days off and actually did pretty well shutting out the birds from my head. I'll be ready again this weekend for another round up yonder....so a Nutcracker would be cool! I'm sure I'm going to find lifebird number 300 this weekend:)
ReplyDeleteChris, well, I just checked eBird and Clark's can be found up there in Coconino County! Plus, did you see that Laurence got a Rough-legged hawk at Mormon Lake?
DeleteGreat birds and photos, Kathie! I would love to see them all myself! Happy Birding!
ReplyDeleteEileen, perhaps one day you shall!
DeleteOK, so I need to come down and visit this space. I need the bird pretty close to get any decent shots. These are amazing. So true that our National Parks, Forests & Refuges offer awesome opportunities to see nature at its finest. And thanks for the birthday wish.
ReplyDeleteGaelyn, I hope one day you will!
DeleteWhat awesome photos!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, but the birds made it easy!
DeleteGreat photos Kathie-I don't know how you do it!I'd love to see one of those quails in person. They have some real character. That head feather reminds me of something the flappers would wear in the 1920's!
ReplyDeleteLarry, I love their head gear!
DeleteStellar shots Kathie, you do those desert dwellers proud!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurence!
DeleteThanks for all the advice this afternoon, Kathie (eBird, the Javelina picnic area as good birding, the recommended route home). I've added your blog to my list of faves on my photo blog of the Twin Cities (http://twincities-photorama.blogspot.com). Will look forward to seeing what the future holds for me at Saguaro NP.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what size lens do you use for your photos?
Kim, it was so nice to meet you! I use a Nikon D80 with a 70 to 300mm zoom lens with vibration Reduction! Thank you for adding me to your blog list! it's nice to meet a fellow blogger, photographer and nature lover as well as a fellow Narnian!
DeleteBeautiful birds and wonderful pictures, hard to pick a favorite but that last one is of the Towhee gets to prize I think.
ReplyDeleteGillian, it was hard for me to pick a favorite as well. I decided the thrasher was the best shot and so put it at the top, but I like them all and I am glad that you did too!
DeleteHi Kathie
ReplyDeleteThese are among the most lovely photos you have posted. They really show that even birds that may not be really colourful can be quite beautiful with their subtle shading and textures.
Guy
Guy, I love the subtle coloring of these birds! The Black-throated sparrow is one of my favorites! thank you for saying so, though. It's nice to hear that someone noticed this. The birds made it easy by coming so close.
DeleteA great selection of shots Kathie.
ReplyDeleteThanks TonyC! I like them as well!
Delete