Arizona - Organ Pipe to Madera Canyon

We entered Arizona at Yuma, the Southwest corner of the state, and headed for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to stay for a couple days.  This is called the "Green Desert" and for good reason as there are so many varieties of Cactus, and other desert vegetation.  Many desert birds can be found here and we enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Early morning at Organ Pipe

Curve-billed Thrashers

Large Organ Pipe Cactus

Gambel's Quail

We drove the 21 mile auto tour of the Ajo Mountains, it took us 7 hours due to many stops for any bird that came our way.

This double arch is high above the road and "some" people choose to climb to the top.

Pair of Gila Woodpeckers

Harris's Antelope Squirrel

One of the many varities of cacti in the park

Cactus Wren on Teddy Bear Cholla

We then drove to Tucson and visited the East Saguaro National Monument and its 8 mile auto tour and several trails.  Finding some new birds in new habitat is always fun.

Fish-hook Barrel Cactus Fruit

American Kestrel on Saguaro

Staghorn Cholla

Black-throated Sparrow

A Cristate Saguaro, woodpecker hole created rare formation

Canyon Wren

On a drizzly day we drove 29 miles up over the 8,000 foot Mt. Lemmon to Summerhaven to find some high altitude birds.  We weren't disappopinted at all, finding, Pygmy Nuthatches, Steller's Jays, Acorn Woodpeckers, Pine Siskins, Hairy Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee, Canyon Wren,  and Yellow-eyed Juncos.  Of course, we also encountered snow, but we didn't have to stay in it for long.

Yellow-eyed Junco

Due to snow accumulation after we left, the road was closed to non-resident traffic.

Abert's Squirrel

Steller's Jay

Arizona Woodpecker

We then went south to Green Valley to stay and went up to Madera Canyon three days.  At the Santa Rita Lodge they have a great viewing area at the feeders for a great variety of birds and a special mammal.

Bridled Titmouse

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Merriam's Wild Turkeys

Hepatic Tanager

Rivoli's Hummingbird (formerly Magnificient and he still is)

Hutton's Vireo along the trail

Olive Warbler female

Yellow-eyed Junco

Our special mammal - Coati napping in the sun

Huge yawn, time to wake up and explore the feeders

Ymm!  How sweet it is!   Chugging the whole feeder full

What? Gone already?

As we were about to leave on the last day, we had the great blessing of finding an Elegant Trogon.  Amazingly, he posed for over 100 photos but you don't have to look at all of them.

So onward through southern Arizona, with many favorite places to stop.

Thanks for joining us on this adventure!
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann