Continuing on my day trip into the Huachuca Mountains, here we have Garden Canyon. Garden Canyon is much overlooked by hikers and even birders. Partly because it is on the Fort Huachuca Army Base. Unless you are military (active or vet with ID) you must stop, produce ID, Drivers License, Car Registration, and Insurance Card. While that might seem too daunting for some, it only takes two minutes -- tops. It is an active military base. Day before yesterday, while there, I passed one of the many ranges and watched a couple dozens soldiers being tested. But then you continue into the mountains. There are three picnic grounds that you pass, the last of which Christine and I usually picnic at when we go together. Once past the picnic areas the road becomes four wheel drive for another six or seven miles. Sheelite Canyon is the first trail you come to. It is noted for its pair of Spotted Owls. Then two stops to look at ancient pictographs. Then Sawmill Canyon, a delightful and less strenuous hike than Sheelite. Past Sawmill, the road gets much worse and a good physical and mental constitution is required. Water usually is running in Garden Canyon Creek, so vegetation is thick, wildflowers and butterflies are everywhere, and the animals frequently visit for a drink. I came across deer several times on the way up. I'll show you some wildflowers tomorrow, maybe butterflies the next day. But for today, I photographed a lone Wild Turkey drinking in the creek; an Ash Throated Flycatcher at Sheelite Canyon; and a Cassin's Kingbird at Sawmill Canyon. It was a good day.
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