Bird Watching Photos - SOUTHEAST ARIZONA
| The following are some of the highlights of our July-August Southeast Arizona Tour. They are categorized by habitat and altitude, from the desert and grasslands, through the foothills and oak-juniper habitat, into the high mountain areas of Ponderosa pine at 10,000 feet. | ||
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Saguaro National Forest, a forest of cacti, on the outskirts of Tucson.
Photo by Lenore Gifford, tour participant |
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This Bobcat was within the Tucson city limits at the Sweetwater Wetlands
Area. Photo by Paul Kunstek, tour participant |
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We once found this juvenile Purple Gallinule in the same wetlands, an
exceedingly rare find in Arizona. Photo by Jim Hays |
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Willcox Twin Lakes, an oasis in the middle of the desert. |
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We expect Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, but the Roseate Spoonbill was
the first for Arizona in 23 years. Photo By bob Schutsky, tour leader |
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A common migrant at Willcox is the Wilson's Phalarope. We sometimes see hundreds, spinning and feeding in the water. Photo by David Nelson |
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We may find a Western Grebe, especially at Patagonia Lake State Park. Photo by John Puschock, tour leader |
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We had a good look at this Regal Horned Lizard on the way into
California Gulch. Photo by Debra Marsh, tour participant |
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Swainson's Hawk has a striking under-wing pattern. Photo by Barry Ulman, tour participant |
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Burrowing Owls are mostly diurnal, making them much easier to see during the day. Photo by John Puschock, tour leader |
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Barn Owls are sometimes found in old buildings or groves of trees in
open areas. Photo by Jim & Deva Burns/NATURAL IMPACTS |
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A male Blue Grosbeak with its rusty shoulder patches and silvery
over-sized bill. Photo by Tom Amico, tour participant |
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The full orange hood gives the Hooded Oriole its name. Most orioles
have black hoods. Photo by Barry Ulman, tour participant |
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Yellow Warblers breed in riparian habitat such as Sonoita Creek. Photo by Meredith Lombard |
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Photo by Lenore Gifford, tour participant |
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Mexican Jay is a common denizen of the oak-juniper habitat. Photo by Bob Coley, tour participant |
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Acorn Woodpeckers are vocal and easy to observe. They frequently feed
at sugar water feeders. Photo by Tom Amico, tour participant |
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One of the real prizes of any Southeast Arizona tour is a Montezuma Quail. Photo by David Schutsky, co-leader |
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Hummingbirds are always popular. We typically find 12-14 species on our
July tours. These include such gems as Costa's Hummingbird . . . |
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. . . the rare and local Violet-crowned Hummingbird . . . Photo by Tom Amico |
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. . . migrant Anna's Hummingbird . . . Photo by John McNamara |
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. . . Broad-tailed Hummer . . . Photo by John McNamara |
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. . . Magnificent Hummer . . . Photo by John McNamara |
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. . . the striking White-eared Hummer . . . Photo by John McNamara |
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. . . and a female Black-chinned Hummingbird, this one with a very large nestling in her lichen-covered nest. Photo by Paul Miller, tour participant |
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Elegant Trogon is a prized cavity nesting specialty of southeast
Arizona, its only breeding area in the US. Photo by Paul Kunstek, tour participant |
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Arizona Woodpecker is a good find. Photo by Mary Brenner, tour participant |
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There are migrant Western Tanagers in many different habitats. Photo by Mary Brenner, tour participant |
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Flame-colored Tanager is a rare species. It lives mostly south of the
border in Mexico and central America. This one nested for several
consecutive years in Madera Canyon. Photo by Jerome Smith |
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Even more unusual was this Aztec Thrush in Madera Canyon. It is a
Mexican endemic. Photo by John Puschock, tour leader |
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A young Spotted Owl on a day roost in famed Sheelite Canyon. Photo by David Schutsky, co-leader |
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Steller's Jay is a noisy highland species. Photo by Lenore Gifford, tour participant |
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Another highland specialty if the diminutive Buff-breasted Flycatcher. Photo by Walt DeBill, tour participant |
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One location is more beautiful than the next. Photo by Bob Coley, tour participant |
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