Arizona Four

The Huachuca mountains in southeastern Arizona is the premier hummingbird watching destination in the United States. Feeder stations in its oak and pine draped canyons can attract thirteen different species of hummingbirds at the same time, though the eight species we enjoyed on our fourth day in Arizona is more typical.

Our first stop, however, was not for hummingbirds, but for warblers. Target one was Virginia's Warbler, a twitchy sharp-billed little bird reminiscent of a pale Nashville's Warbler. It lives in dry mountain shrub habitats throughout the Great Basin, but we'd somehow never found it, yet. This time we were determined to, so I studied up on habitat requirements, we listened to its song, and we put our plan into action. We stopped repeatedly on our drive up Carr Canyon that morning to pause in the cool air and listen to the singing birds. Below, Sierra Vista sprawled in the San Pedro's river valley, Fort Huachuca's buildings nestled into the folds of the Huachucas north of us, and if you looked south with your binoculars it was easy enough to pick out the border wall running across the valley floor. Pretty good views, in other words.

We found our first Virginia's Warbler with a Black-throated Gray Warbler at the top of the mountain in a pine-oak-chaparral ecotone. Hurrah!

We then drove, with stops, down to the end of the road. Along the way we enjoyed Buff-breasted Flycatchers, Greater Pewees, Yellow-eyed Juncos, and numerous Spotted Towhees. We then took a fun hike around the mountain to the upper reaches of Ramsey Canyon. One highlight of the hike was the blooming agave along the way. The nectar-rich flowers attracted a lovely variety of beautiful birds like Black-headed Grosbeaks, Virginia's Warblers, and Western Tanagers.

After our hike, we drove over to Miller Canyon to check out the hummingbird show and to try for the Spotted Owls that have been periodically seen a mile or two up the canyon's trail. We had great success with both. We were far from confident that we would see the owls. They move around a lot, and while they stick within a half mile or so stretch of the canyon, I felt that they might be anywhere in the dense oaks, maples and pines that crowded the steep canyon walls. So, we walked in some small anxiety, looking for advertised landmarks and scanning the branches of the trees. Right when we first were able to pick out "split rock", I turned to say something to Libby and saw the owls sitting a few feet away from us, almost at eye level. It was an incredible moment.

Mexican Spotted Owls

We eventually took their leave, and with thankful hearts made our way lightly back down the canyon. There we took our seats at the feeders and watched the hummingbirds. The feeders kept by the Beatty's are, in my humble opinion, the most pleasurable feeders in Arizona. All of them are very nice to visit, but I like the Beatty's feeders are on an oak-covered hill, and it seems like every time we're there it's cloudy or rainy or otherwise just pleasant. We saw lots of neat birds this time, including Berylline and White-eared Hummingbirds, which are regular but unusual in the United States.

White-eared Hummingbird

That night we had dinner at a "family restaurant" in Arizona. We enjoy patronizing little independent diner-like establishments like these, and feel comfortable and happy reviewing the day and writing up our day list over greasy, homelike food.

That evening we went back to lower Miller Canyon, where, right after dusk turned to night, we saw our first Western Screech-Owls. We'd heard them before here in California, but this was the first time we were able to actually get good looks at them.

Pictures from the day are collected here: Arizona Four.