Southern Arizona Birding Part 4

This is the grand finale of the AZ birding trip blog! While the first three installments had 10 photos each - this one has more than twice that. Enjoy. :) 

The first bird photographed is one I've been hoping to see during our THREE trips to SO AZ. The little rascal thwarted me the first two times - but this time - we got him! It is the Red-Faced Warbler! We drove to the top of Mt. Lemmon on our way to the airport to fly home and found him (and several of his friends). Very exciting!



A stop near Patagonia. It was the worst time of the day for birding. There weren't many birds. Still, coming at a better time would likely yield some awesome birds.

 One place to definitely stop in the area is the Patton's backyard. While this couple has long since died, their home is maintained by others. Awesome birding in the backyard.

 A silent skulking Hermit Thrush.


If you have been to the Sierra Vista area, you've no doubt seen the blimp in the sky. While there this trip, most days were plagued by huge winds. boo. They were so big that the blip was grounded. Turns out it's docking station is right next to an excellent birding spot!

 In the morning waiting for breakfast and watching Hummingbirds out the window.

 Unlike previous years (they'd perished in the fires a few years ago) this year the B&B was loaded with Wild Turkeys. They are funny to watch as the males show their wares to anything. Car. Truck. Fence post. Grass Blade. Tourist. Doesn't matter. They have nice feathers and they are showing them off!

 Hunting for the Mexican Spotted Owl. Between the two parties, we found him!

 Not only did we see the Red-Faced Warbler. Not only did Dave get a nice photo of a Red-Faced Warbler. But he also got a photo of one bathing! How cool is that?!?!

 Walking in the Riparian area checking out birds.

 One day while we are the Riparian area near Ramsey Canyon and Sierra Vista, we stumbled upon a Hummingbird banding station. These tiny birds were caught, measured, weighed, fed and banded. Pretty cool. Kudos to the sure-handed woman who put TINY bands on their legs.

 A male Black-Throated Hummingbird as he's being released post banding.


 Hummingbird banding in progress. The woman doing this has written a book on Hummingbirds.

 I am studying the bird book while on the top of Mt Lemmon looking for the rascally Red-Faced Warbler.

 This is a Yellow-Eyed Junco. They are described as having fierce looks about them. I think that's accurate.

  A nice photo on Mt. Lemmon.

  Heading down Mt. Lemmon, we stopped for this photo op. Mt. Lemmon is more than 9,000 feet in Elevation. Quite a difference from cooking Tucson down below.

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