Tanque Verde Wash: Coyote

Christine and I hiked Tanque Verde Wash yesterday. Almost immediately we saw a juvenile Gray Hawk perched in a tree; then rounded a bend and startled a Coyote who disappeared quickly into the brush. Continuing down the wash we encountered many more raptors: Red Tailed, Cooper's, and Sharp Shinned Hawks. 

We also spotted what looked to be a log in the middle of the wash some 200 yards away. But after a minute or so one end of the log lifted up and seemed to have ears. We were able to get closer without being noticed and got some nice photos:

the "Log"

Oops, a Coyote

Still Closer

Pena Blanca Lake Wildlife: Butterflies

Although there were lots of butterflies at the lake last week, I found myself concentrating mostly on birds. Yet, this Pipevine Swallowtail on a Ivyleaf Morningglory was one I couldn't resist:

Pena Blanca Lake: Other Birds

Among the other birds, Pena Blanca Lake offers a wide variety of raptors, warblers, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, buntings, and of course sparrows.

Here are just a few photos from last week's trip:

Bewick's Wren

Cooper's Hawk

Lazuli Bunting

Lincoln's Sparrow

Nashville Warbler

Orange Crowned Warbler

Red Naped Sapsucker

Pena Blanca Lake Wildlife: Waterbirds

There is a fairly wide variety of both songbirds and water birds at the lake. At various times of the year you will find a variety of ducks, coots, mergansers etc. But there are also wadding birds including Great Blue and Green Herons:

Great Blue Heron

Green Heron

Pena Blanca Lake Wildlife: Bobcat

Pena Blanca Lake sits about 7 miles north of the US/Mexico border in the Pajarito Mountains. It is stocked with trout and attracts a few people for fishing. Birding is quite good especially in the southernmost areas where the water is shallow and weeded. I like getting there early since it increases the chance of seeing animals. 

Last Monday was no exception. I saw a Coyote on the drive in and then two Bobcats as I was walking around the lake. 

Here are the Bobcat photos:

Bobcat 1:

Bobcat 2:

Birding Patagonia - III

12 miles north of Patagonia sits Sonoita, most noted for its wineries and The Cafe. But just north and east is Las Cienegas National Conservation Area which is 25,000 acres of wonderful grasslands and riparian areas.

It has a wide variety of sparrows, kingbirds, mockingbirds etc. It's probably the best place in Southern Arizona to find the beautiful Pronghorn. So after birding Patagonia I drove through Las Cienegas looking for those Pronghorn. And, yes I found a beautiful male (and a female). The male was taking shade in the 105 degree temperature:

Pronghorn

Also along the way a Roadrunner

And since there were literally hundreds of Kingbirds I thought I'd get at least one photo

Birding Patagonia - II

Next up Patagonia Lake:

American Avocet

Black Phoebe

Killdeer

Ladder Backed Woodpecker

McGillivray's Warbler

Sanderling

Sora