Patagonia Butterfly Garden

Okay, we are not talking about the Tucson Botanical Garden's Butterfly Magic. The little town of Patagonia has a small "patch" of flowering plants that attract butterflies. We're talking about the size of a postage stamp (or small bedroom). However, it does produce butterflies, such as these that we found two days ago:

West Coast Lady

Checkered White

Female (top) and Male (below) Gulf Fritillary

Patton's in Patagonia

I went over to the office this morning about 4:30 to check and see what was happening at the British Open (golf). Couldn't get into the office at first. There were about ten or so javelinas in the way. Some were adults and some young ones. The young ones may have been the ones I photographed a month ago on the day they were born. But, that's another story (you can see the earlier blog).


Yesterday, Christine and I went to Patagonia. First stop was Patton's. Second, the "butterfly garden" in  town. Today's Blog: Patton's. 

We have several hummingbird feeders. And, so we have a fair number of  hummingbirds around. Common to our feeders are the Broad Tail and Anna's. Frequently, we have Costa's and Broad Billed. Occasionally, we have the Caliope. Beyond those five species, you have to go into the southern mountain ranges. The Black Chin and Broad Billed are usually found in all of the southern mountain ranges. But, interestingly, different sites have "specialties." Beatty's Orchard in Miller Canyon (Huachuca Mountains) is the most reliable spot for Magnificent, Blue Throat, Beryline, and White Eared. Ash Canyon (also in the Huachuca's) is the most reliable place for the Lucifer and maybe Plain Capped Starthroat. Patton's along the Patagonia Creek (adjacent to the Santa Rita Mountains) is the most reliable place for the Violet Crowned and Rufus, with the occasional Allen's. Even the extremely rare Cinnamon Hummingbird has been found there. Count 'em, that's 16 of the 19 hummingbird species. Only the Ruby Throat, found throughout the East, the Buff Bellied and Green Eared found it the Southernmost tip of Texas can't be found in Arizona. So far, I have, what I think are good photos of 12 of the Arizona Hummingbird species. Maybe by the end of the summer .... Anyway, here are a few from yesterday's trip to Patton's:

Broad Billed Hummingbird

Violet Crowned Hummingbird

White Eared Hummingbird

Female Black Chinned Hummingbird

Birds of Patagonia Creek Preserve

The literature says over 290 species of birds have been recorded at Patagonia Creek Preserve. That makes it a prime spot for birders. Here are three of the birds I have photographed there: Great Blue Heron, Western Kingbird, and Sumer Tanager. Run by The Nature Conservancy, Patagonia Creek Preserve has trails along the creek. Generally it is cool so it is a refreshing summer spot. Every time we go there is something to see. Well worth the hour drive.

When You Can't Find What You Are Looking For

When you go to a zoo, you can usually find what you are looking for; a bear for example. In the wilderness, that is another story. "When you go looking for something specific, your chances of finding it are not very good. Because of all the things in the world, you're only looking for one of them. When you go looking for anything at all, your chances of finding it are very good. Because of all the things in the world, you're sure to find some of them." (One of my favorite movie quotes - Zero Effect). So, when I go off on a "photo trip" if I can't find animals or birds, I look at wildflowers, plants, and trees. I think what is it that makes this special? Unique? Can I capture that in a photo? When I think that way, I can usually find something to photograph and often pleased with the result as the above four photos from Patagonia Creek Preserve offered me.

Patagonia Creek Preserve: Broad Billed Hummingbird

Continuing at Patagonia Creek Preserve. As a wildlife photographer sometimes you don't know how good a photograph is until you see on the screen -- or, photo paper. It is easier with digital. You can take multiple shots. My Canon 5D Mark II will shoot 7 frames per second. My film camera (Canon EOS 1V HD) could shoot 10 frames per second, however, if you have 36 exposure film that's less than four seconds of shooting. So, needless to say I never shot that fast. But what a fast camera will do is provide you with instantaneous response. When photographing birds in flight for example, you might think you have a great photo, only to find out that a wing was covering his head or eye at the exact moment the shutter released. With a fast camera you can take three or four shots and one of them is likely to be good. But, again, how good you don't know quite yet. This photo of a Broad Billed Hummingbird in flight is one of my favorites.