Miller Canyon Wildflowers

Still more from Miller Canyon. It is very easy to be so focused that you don't "stop and smell the roses" when you are headed to a specific place with something very specific in mind to photograph. I knew right where to look for the hummingbirds. But, I also knew that they would be around all day. So, I couldn't pass up taking photos of some of the wildflowers, even before the hummingbirds. In the first, there is a small pond, covered with waterlilies. Although not open yet, something about the red bulb attracted me. The second photo is Indian Blanket, a sunflower looking plant but with very distinctive yellow tipped pink leaves and a dark maroon colored ball in the middle. The third photo is Blue Bonnet Lupine, which we see a lot of along the mountain slopes. There is so much beauty in this world it is easy to see a "half filled glass" as flowing over.

More from Miller Canyon in the Huachucas

Since I was in the Huachuca Mountains anyway I though I'd stop again in Miller Canyon. I got photos of five different hummingbirds: Broad Billed, Anna's, Black Chin, Magnificent, and Blue Throat. The Black Chin has the widest range being found in the far western US. The Anna's is only found in Southern Arizona, California, and the very Western parts of Oregon and Washington. The other three (Broad Billed, Magnificent, and Blue Throat are only found in a small slice of Central Mexico and (in the summer) the very Southern Arizona Mountains (Chiracahuas, Dragoons, Huachucas, Santa Rita's, and possibly the Baboquivaris). The first photo of the female Broad Billed is an example of an "almost great" photo. Miller Canyon's hummingbird site is deep into the woods, just up the mountain from a constantly running stream. It is a perfect location. However, the lighting is not always good. Usually my very flexible 100-400 mm zoom is perfect for the hiking wildlife photographer. At 3.1 pounds, it's not too heavy when hiking several miles and you can take hand held shots. This, however, would have been a better time to have had the 400mm f/2.8 lens, which undoubtedly would have produced a better photo. But, at 11.3 pounds (and $8000) it's a bit heavy when hiking. It also requires a very stable tripod, which adds additional weight and set up time. This is the dilemma for the wildlife photographer. I remember just last year I came across several large Moose a hundred yards from the road. I was standing next to someone with a Canon 500 f/4.0 mm lens on a tripod. I had my 100-400 zoom (f/5.6). I knew he was getting better photos than I was. On the other hand 75% of my photo gallery would not have been possible if I had to set up a tripod and attach the camera before I could take a photo. I guess the answer is to have both.

More from Garden Canyon, Huachucas

The first is actually a moth, a Hummingbird Moth. When first observed you might think it is a hummingbird -- hence the name. But it is a moth, and really quite beautiful. The second photo is of a Two Tailed Swallowtail, also on a thistle. The third is a Red Spotted Purple. There are so many Pipevine Swallowtails (fourth photo) that initially I thought the third photo was also a Pipevine Swallowtail or a Black Swallowtail. However, upon close examination -- no tail! Also the blue spots on the hindwing are quite distinctive. The Huachucas would be about the westernmost range of the Red Spotted Purple. The RSP, like the Viceroy (yesterday), and the California Sister (last photo) are large butterflies in the Admiral Family. The California Sister is abundant in the Huachucas.

Butterflies of Garden Canyon

Thistles, both New Mexico and Arizona varieties abound in Garden Canyon. They are a favorite of butterflies. And, because they have such bright wonderful color, make great photographs. Here are some of the butterflies I have photographed in Garden Canyon: First, sulphurs, maybe Southern Dogface (the darker one) and Cloudless or Clouded, can't really tell. Second, a Giant Swallowtail. Third, Viceroy. And, fourth Dull Firetip. Between butterflies and wildflowers, there always seems to be something to photograph if I am not finding large mammals or rare birds.

Wildflowers of Garden Canyon

Of course there are hundreds of varieties of wildflowers in Garden Canyon, but I took four photos the other day that I particularly liked. The first is the Western Salsify, who's puffball was a good six or seven inches in diameter.  I had to look that up, because I thought it was a dandelion on steroids. But, no it is a Western Salsify, also called Goat's Beard, Wild Oysterplant, or Yellow Salsify.  The second photo is Butterflyweed, aptly named since Garden Canyon is noted for its amazing butterflies. The third photo is Columbine, which I have showed you before but love its delicacy. And the fourth is Prickly Poppy with what appears to be a California Carpenter Bee. Tomorrow the butterflies.

Garden Canyon, Fort Huachuca,

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.

San Pedro - Part II

I visited several birding spots yesterday: San Pedro, Miller Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, and Garden Canyon (in Fort Huachuca). Yesterday, I showed you three birds from San Pedro. Here are three more: First, Cassin's Kingbird. Unlike its' cousin the Western Kingbird which occupies the entire western US, the Cassin's is restricted to Arizona and New Mexico. It is slightly larger and darker than the Western. The second photo is a Mexican Mallard. The Mexican Mallard is also only found in Arizona and New Mexico (in the US). It has a olive drab bill as opposed to the orange bill of its cousin. You can also see that its' breast is spotted. The third photo is a Yellow Rumped Warbler. This is the adult female with its' breeding plumage. Tomorrow I'll show you so results from Garden Canyon.