It's winter, so yesterday I was off to Santa Cruz Flats -- as Christine says, the alternate universe. Santa Cruz Flats is an area between Tucson and Phoenix, west of Picacho Peak. It is definitely as the name suggests, flat. Much of it is barren, not even cactus grows there. But much of it is cultivated, mostly cotton and turf farms. As such it is well irrigated and seeded which brings a multitude of birds, including waterbirds and raptors.
Lots of Red Tailed Hawks -- of all color varieties; many American Kestrel's; s a couple Prairie Falcons; a couple Harrier Hawks, and a Ferruginous Hawk. I did not see any Crested Caracaras or Black Vultures which I have seen on previous trips.
I did find a large flock of Mountain Plovers although too far or "flighty" to get good photos. Lots of Ravens too.
Here are a few photos from yesterdays trip:
 |
| Yellow Headed Blackbird |
 |
| American Kestrel |
 |
| Canvasback |
 |
| Prairie Falcon |
 |
| Ferruginous Hawk |
 |
| Ferruginous Hawk |
 |
| Horned Lark |
No comments:
Post a Comment