Arizona Adventure

Zone-tailed Hawk

This Zone-tailed Hawk was photographed in Patagonia, Arizona. They are a much sought-after bird, more often seen flying with Turkey Vultures, where they blend in well, as their marking are much the same. They are a little smaller, and watch for the white bands on the tails in flight (vultures' tails are all black). You seldom get to see one perched in a tree, but I was out early and saw this one fly into the tree. Not a great shot, as it was overcast, early, and he was mostly silhouetted up in the tree. It still made me happy to get any shot at all.

Checkerspot Butterfly

This butterfly was on a flowering shrub in Madera Canyon, Arizona. It is some type of Checkerspot, but I wasn't able to get a for-sure ID.

Yellow-eyed Junco

Most of the Juncos that occur all over North America are the Dark-eyed Junco. This Yellow-eyed Junco occurs in a very limited area of the US, in SE Arizona. Can you tell where they got their name??

Grasshopper on Cactus

These cactus flowers are on the Fishhoop Barrel Cactus, which bloom in August in Arizona. They are quite attractive to insects, and on this one I found this grasshopper, which was cooperative enough to stay in place for a quick shot.

The Blue Door

In the small town of Rodeo, New Mexico, I happened on this wall outside a home, and was taken by the blue doors, or gate in the wall.

Lucifer Hummingbird

This male Lucifer Hummingbird was photographed at Ash Canyon, Arizona. This species is fairly rare, and it is always a real treat to be lucky enough to see one. It is noted for its purple-pink gorget and his long, decurved bill. 9/6/19 Judith Sparhawk

Texas Canyon

This is just a small sample of the beautiful rock formations at Texas Canyon rest stop on Interstate 10, about 20 miles east of Benson, Arizona. It is a better-than-average rest area, and worth a stop to enjoy the great rocks. History says that David A. Adams, from Texas, came and settled the area in the mid-1880's, followed by other family members. It got its name because of "the bunch of damned Texans" settled there. The descendents of the family continue to ranch the area. 9/4/19 Judith Sparhawk

Varied Bunting

The very pretty male Varied Bunting was photographed off the Proctor Road trail at the bottom of Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Varied Bunting Male

The only other view I got of the Varied Bunting in which he wasn't obscured by foliage. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Berylline Hummingbird

Not a great shot, as he was mostly in silhouette, and I had to pull out his colors, but this is the way he looked. He was a life bird for me, photographed out of Portal, Arizona.

Berylline Hummingbird

This very special hummingbird was photographed in the Chiricahua Mountains, out of Portal, Arizona. This species is a very rare visitor to SE Arizona, and when I was there I made a special trip to this location to see it. This was a life bird for me, that is, the first one I have seen in my life. I was lucky enough to see it on my first try, which made me very happy, as I only had one day there before heading back to Tucson to fly home. 9/12/19 Judith Sparhawk

Columbine Sunshine

These very pretty yellow columbines were flowering at 8,000 feet elevation in Summerhaven, on Mount Lemmon, out of Tucson Arizona. August, 2019

Cactus Bloom

I believe this was a Fishhook Barrel Cactus, which was blooming in August in several location throughout SE Arizona. The blooms form a corona at the top of the barrel. This one shows one in bloom and many buds yet to open.

Surprise Sunset

August is a monsoon month in SE Arizona, with periodic thunderstorms and rain. One early evening in Madera Canyon the thunder and lighting were almost continuous for quite a long time. After awhile I went out on the porch of the cabin where I was staying, and looking west, this is what I saw. It was raining on me, and I was watching this sunset!

Surprise Sunset

August is a monsoon month in SE Arizona, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. One early evening in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains, there was a big storm, with almost continuous lightning and thunder, as well as torrential rains. After awhile I stepped out on the porch of the cabin I was staying in, looked west, and this sunset was what I saw. It was raining on me, and the sky looked like this! I couldn't scope out a great landscape like Loyd does for his sunsets, but I couldn't resist taking a few shots of that night's sky. 9/5/19 Judith Sparhawk

Acorn Woodpecker at the Nest

This woodpecker was at the nest hole, and putting his head in and out, apparently feeding young, but I was not able to see any babies. Arizona, August 2019

Elegant Trogon

This beautiful male Elegant Trogon was very cooperative for posing for his portrait. Usually they are very hard to find, and if you do, you get a quick glimpse as they fly away. Very happy that this one stayed put! Madera Canyon

Abert's Squirrel

I thought this squirrel had very different and interesting coloration, and as best I can tell it is an Abert's Squirrel. Most Aberts have tufts in the ears, and some are very dark, but this definitely has the long pointy ears and the Arizona coloring. Mt. Lemmon, Tucson, AZ.

Painted Redstart

This Painted Redstart was at about 8,000 feet elevation on Mt. Lemmon, Tucson AZ.

Painted Redstart

A different view of the Painted Redstart, with just a tiny peek at his bright red breast.