A few snaps from Arizona

 

A Mexican 'Sonoran Hotdog'. It filled a gap, that's all I have to say on it !

In the middle of a desert, beauty shows itself xx

We saw a few of these flags, along the same lines, all in the poorest areas........words fail !

The feeding station at George Walker's House. Lovely to spend the late afternoon, sitting in the shade as the birds come to feed. We saw Juniper Titmouse on the feeders. We left a donation and bought a pen. All the feeding stations have a donation box that by the end of the day, is rammed with dollars. Imagine this at home.....would be nicked within 10 minutes. It really was a different world, one that we did envy. They had pride and honesty, both now definately lacking in the UK. 

Lots of houses being built.........out of chipboard !

Desert, cactus, more desert and more cactus.....as far as the eye can see. Real cowboy terrain !

We went to this park (whose name has slipped my mind) for Botteri's Sparrow, which we were lucky to see . The park was in the middle of a retirement village that was huge. It was stunning. Mainly cactus plants but with walkways, all labeled and signed. Totally run by volunteers. There was a selling area for both plants and garden stuff. Lots of seating areas with lovely chairs, cushions and tables. Sculptures, ceramic displays and it was just lovely. The park was full of people working, walkers, and people just sat relaxing and enjoying life. There were bird feeders everywhere. It was just lovely, thank you.

Again, I ask myself how long it would last here at home........ 

Massive cactus, just look at those spines. 

The birders map of Portal that is a must. If you can't get hold of a paper copy then take a pic. This one was outside Cave Creek Ranch. It shows all the houses that have feeders that are open to the public and all the other 'birdy' spots that you will need to visit. Worth it's weight in gold. 

Beatty's Ranch in Miller Canyon, Sierra Vista.  We visited the hummingbird feeders here which were fantastic. Lovely to meet the owner with his many dogs (we were told 11). They are hunting dogs but are so friendly. A lovely chap, full of birdy info. We came up this road again one night for a screech owl.  

Barfoot junction for Mexican Chickadee. The view was stunning but the drive was death defying! Every sign we saw had been shot at and had an array of bullet holes.  Here in the UK we see air rifle dents, but in the USA it was bullet holes......in every single sign.

The main hummingbird feeders at Ash Canyon. We spent many an hour here, the birding was fantastic, the staff so friendly and helpful. We saw the Golden Crowned Sparrow and the Calliope Hummingbird here. No visit to Arizona is complete without a visit and was one of our highlights. There is another two feeding areas along with a blind that can be reserved. 

On every street corner.....

This was right next to the 'Second Amendment Family Gun Store'. 

Burrowing Owls, West Hardin Road, Arizona

 

Another first for us and what crackers they are ! We missed these owls in Florida so they were on our wish list for Arizona. Only patchy information was available so every bird guide we met was quizzed. Driving out to West Hardin Road in the Avra Valley we did wonder about the info with only heavily farmed fields both sides of the road. We drove round the block which beleive me, was absolute miles, scanning both sides and failing miserably. Just one weedy field was along this road and there was absolutely nowt in there. We didn't give up and drove the road again and bingo, there was one sat not 4 feet away !  Then another one, and another one. We saw 4 in total, all on the field and road edges. What a fantastic morning !  

Calliope Hummingbird, Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, Sierra Vista

We had been to a couple of feeding stations in the hope of catching a glimpse of the smallest native bird in the USA but had no luck. But word had got out that one was visiting very late afternoon at the Ash Canyon Bird Sancuary, a place we visited quite a few times on our travels. So it was just a matter of sit and wait, but being surrounded by orioles and hummers coming in for their last feed of the day, we had no complaints. The ranger sat with us and called every bird, much appreciated. She told us that the Calliope favoured the penstemon flowers so all eyes were peeled. Soon a shout went up and there it was, feeding on the penstemon nectar. What a fantastic bird, the pink throat was the same colour as the flowers. A stunner and the only one we saw on our trip.

Californian Condors, Navajo Bridge, Grand Canyon

 

With a 3 metre wingspan.....that's the best part of 10 feet !

Stunning scenery and equally stunning birds !

Navajo Bridge spanning the Colorado River in Marble Canyon

A few snaps taken from the car on our way to the Grand Canyon. The rock colours and formations were simply stunning and these pics certainly don't do it justice. 

The Colorado River

You cannot imagine the beauty and the massive scale of this canyon.

We knew we would only get one chance of seeing the Californian Condors so we headed to the Navajo Bridge where we thought we stood the best chance. We were certainly not disappointed. Simon was the first on the bridge while I was looking at ridiculously priced niknaks !  He was soon hollering and waving for us to join him sharpishly. One was sat on the bridge underneath him, tucked into the metalwork. Pressure off and bird ticked !  We soon had many others located sitting on the girders and underneath the bridges. They breed not too far from the bridge and use it to sit on during the day. They all favoured the pedestrian bridge, probably disliking the traffic noise on the other bridge. We saw a few fly, well glide really, and the wing span was something else. What a day !!

Afraid we left without a niknak purchase.......the dream catchers were beautiful but with a $50 pricetag they stayed where they were !