Posted by Sally King on February 6, 2011 at 7:26 PM
I am leaving for SE Arizona in just a couple weeks for a week long photo trip. I am planning to start in Portal, where I had a great time in January 2010, then work my way west to Tucson. Madera Canyon and Sweetwater have been suggested to me. I wonder if anyone else has some good suggestions for wildlife, birds, flora, etc. Is late February a good time for flowers in that area? If so, should I expect hotels to be booked up in advance? From several posts I know that the cold that hit New Mexico recently has affected Arizona as well. What should I expect in terms of seasonal birds? I have a number of books on SE Arizona but they all talk in generalities.
Not sure if general NPN discussion is the right venue so feel free to move if not appropriate here. Thanks for any input. I hope to bring back some good shots to share.
Posted by Richard Ditch on February 6, 2011 at 8:04 PM
For birds you'll want to visit some of the local parks - I am especially fond of Aqua Caliente Park near the base of Mt Lemmon. Catalina Sate Park is also rather good for otherwise hard-to-find desert species. Good info and directions are in the two excellent bird finding guides to SE AZ (see them in this list on my web site. The ABA/Lane guide (Taylor) and the Russell and Davis guide from Tucson Audubon both have bar charts showing the likelihood of seeing each species by month.
Saguaro National Park, with both East and West units, are worth visiting for scenics and birds.
The wildflower season here is usually later and is always hard to predict. But even if it was the peak of wildflower bloom I'd be surprised if filled up the motels A bigger problem would be one of the annual rock and mineral shows or one of the many gun shows.
Be sure to read the archives of the AZ/NM Birding listserv to get some ideas about Tucson parks and where specific birds are being seen.
Posted by Sally King on February 6, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Thank you, Richard, for your information. One of the books I have is the ABA/Lane guide (Taylor) and I just looked up Agua Caliente Park. The only difficulty with such books is an unfamiliarity with the area leaves me simply overwhelmed. I will definitely be adding some of your suggestions to my list. I also checked out the archives. Thanks again.
Birder's Vista B&B is a nice place to stay in Tuscon. They cater to bird photogs and can usually recommend where to find birds locally. There is a nesting pair of GHO near their place, too–– but that was several years ago.
I really enjoyed the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Phoenix. It's like an arboretum, more flora oriented, but I think there are birds in there too (not caged- free flying/wild).
Enjoy your trip and safe travels.
Posted by Carol Hyman on February 7, 2011 at 1:14 PM
Sally, another really great place is the Desert Museum on the outskirts of Tucson. They have a Raptor Free Flight program. Unfortunately when I was there last week it was too cold; too windy, but I'm sure Spring is coming ...
Bisbee has the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. Benson, AZ has a well known birding trail and also an oasis for exotic birds.
Discussion
4 repliesNot sure if general NPN discussion is the right venue so feel free to move if not appropriate here. Thanks for any input. I hope to bring back some good shots to share.
Saguaro National Park, with both East and West units, are worth visiting for scenics and birds.
The wildflower season here is usually later and is always hard to predict. But even if it was the peak of wildflower bloom I'd be surprised if filled up the motels A bigger problem would be one of the annual rock and mineral shows or one of the many gun shows.
Be sure to read the archives of the AZ/NM Birding listserv to get some ideas about Tucson parks and where specific birds are being seen.
I really enjoyed the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Phoenix. It's like an arboretum, more flora oriented, but I think there are birds in there too (not caged- free flying/wild).
Enjoy your trip and safe travels.
Bisbee has the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. Benson, AZ has a well known birding trail and also an oasis for exotic birds.
Enjoy your trip.
Carol