Madera Canyon: In Short Meditative

Another trip -- this time with Christine -- and this time to Madera Canyon provide very relaxing and even spiritual. We stayed along the creek which had plenty of water and thus plenty of wildlife. 

Here are some of the photos:

Female Hepatic Tanager

Male Hepatic Tanager

The Omni-Present Acorn Woodpecker

Hermit Thrush

Dusky Flycatcher

Canyon Wren

Painted Redstart

White Breasted Nuthatch

Wild Turkey

Rufous Winged Sparrow

Rufous Hummingbird

Empire Gulch at Las Cienegas, Arizona

On another short trip this week I wanted to see what was happening at Empire Gulch. This truly is a wonderful birding spot. Always water and always birds. Here are some of my favorites from the couple hours I spent both in the gulch and around Las Cienegas:

Pipevine Swallowtail

Periwinkle

Ruby Crowned Kinglet (showing off his ruby crown)

Yellow Warbler

Western Meadowlark

Pronghorn

San Pedro River National Conservation Area: Good Birding

I made a quick stop at the San Pedro River National Conservation Area, to look specifically for the Louisiana Waterthrush and Grey Hawks that had been reported there.

I was totally focused. Not really spending anytime other than the two places those two birds and been seen. 

In short, once again skunked. Yet, on along the trail I got a couple of nice photos:

Song Sparrow where the Waterthrush was reported.

Male Vermillion Flycatcher

White Crowned Sparrow at the Visitor's Center.

Huachuca Canyon, Arizona: A Premium Birding Spot

I was able to get away yesterday -- turns out even though all our rooms had guests, for one reason or another, none was having breakfast. So I went to Huachuca Canyon looking for the Sinaloa Wren that has been seen along the creek.

Once again I missed out on the Wren, but I didn't come home empty handed. There were lots of Dark Eyed Juncos, Lesser Goldfinches, House Finches, Bridled Titmice, White Breasted Nuthatch, American Robins, Rufous Winged Sparrows, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Wilson's Warblers, and Painted Redstarts. Even a quick glimpse of an Elegant Trogon who flew in front of me. Some fun photos of Yellow Rumped Warblers (see one below); a Hermit Thrush; and a singing Townsend's Warbler. Here are my favorites for the day:

Townsend's Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Hermit Thrush

Saguaro National Park - Roadrunner

Now the Roadrunner photos from our hike in Saguaro National Park:

Saguaro National Park - Antelope Jackrabbits

A break from my series on Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate to show some photos from a hike Christine (and our dear friend Pierr), and I took a couple of days ago at Saguaro National Park.

Today I'll show you some Antelope Jackrabbit photos (tomorrow Roadrunner).

There is a third in this photo.

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cardinal V

And now a pair of young chicks waiting for mom:

Cardinal Chicks

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cardinal IV

Here is a female Cardinal in one of our flowering Palo Verde Trees:

Female Cardinal

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cardinal III

A female Cardinal in front of one of our feeders:

Female Cardinal

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cardinal II

A second photo of a Cardinal in one of our Mesquite Trees:

Cardinal

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cardinal I

The (Northern) Cardinal is a frequent visitor here at The Azure Gate. For several years we had a pair who nested here in a very conspicuous place. It was fascinating to watch the mother taking seeds from one of our feeders and deliver it to its chick.

Here is the first of several nice photos taken over the years. This one in one of our Palo Verde Trees:

Cardinal

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Calliope Hummingbird

Occasionally, a Calliope Hummingbird comes our way:

Calliope Hummingbird Female

Calliope Hummingbird Female

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: California Kingsnake

On now to a California Kingsnake that I found in our pool filter basket:

California Kingsnake

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cactus Wren - IV

And one last Cactus Wren, up close and personal:

Cactus Wren

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cactus Wren - III

Still another Cactus Wren. This a young one waiting -- no so patiently -- for mom to come with some food:

Cactus Wren

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cactus Wren - II

Another look at the Cactus Wren:

Cactus Wren

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Cactus Wren - I

First a welcome to Fiji, visiting our Blog for the first time. That makes 124 countries that have visited since we started five years ago. We thank you.

I am in the process of an alphabetical series of photos all taken at our Bed and Breakfast -- The Azure Gate in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

We just finished the Bull Snake, and now to the Cactus Wren, a curious and saucy little bird:

Cactus Wren

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Bull Snake

We have ten different species of snakes on our property. One, the largest is the Bull Snake. The first one we had was about 8 feet long, three inches in diameter and probably weighed 7 pounds. We saw him from time to time for the first couple of years. Then, sadly one day found him dead. Ones we've seen since have been smaller, maybe six feet.

Here's one of those "smaller" ones:

Bull Snake

Bull Snake

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Bufo Toad

For several years we would see a Bufo Toad often in the summer and most often at night swimming in our pool. From time to time I found myself swimming with Bufo:

Bufo Toad

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Brown Crested Flycatcher

The Brown Crested Flycatcher is a beautifully striking bird and a joy to see:

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Bronzed Cowbird

The Bronzed Cowbird is not a frequent visitor, but hangs around for several days when he does come:

Bronzed Cowbird

Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Broad Tailed Hummingbird

Next up is the Broad Tailed Hummingbird. Here a male sits in one of our Palo Verde trees:

Broad Tailed Hummingbird