I guess we like it here. Our first camping reservation was for 5 nights, then we added 3, and soon after that we signed up for 6 more. We love the mountains dotted with barrel cacti and scrubby mesquite trees. The canyon panoramas expand our hearts. Sunsets are inspiring, and this lake! This 265-acre dammed up lake, fed by Sonoita Creek lies calmly in a broad valley, sun sparkling water edged by tall reeds inviting many species of water fowl. The surrounding woods of mesquite, cottonwoods and sycamores host all sorts of seasonal and permanent birds.
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It was our first time
on the birding trail which leaves from the east end of the campground, when we
happened upon a man and a woman armed with a camera that
sported a lens about a mile long. They were shooting photos of the resident
Elegant Trogon, perched on a nearby branch. It hung around for quite a while,
flitting from one tree to another, branch to branch, then sitting stock still
for the photographers. Michael snapped hundreds of pictures – close ups. This is when we found out that birders come
to the park just to catch sight of the Trogon – and many go away disappointed.
It’s an elusive bird. Funny that we just naively happened on it without even
trying.
Ruby crowned
kinglets, canyon towhees, finches, cardinals, robins, western bluebirds,
verdins, and flycatchers abound …. Oh, and I love watching the Great Blue Heron
by the marina, as well as the coots, egrets, mallards, cormorants and cinnamon
teal, and at dusk the night herons fly in to perch by the water.
Since this is a state park, and February in Arizona is equivalent to July in northern Michigan, rangers provide activities. There are guided bird walks three days a week, Saturday evening programs at the Visitor’s Center, weekend pontoon boat rides around the lake, and, of course, the daily/weekly updated ongoing bird count list.
We're going to move on in a couple of days, but I'm as certain as I can be that these two snowbirds will return to this oasis next year.
What magnificent bird pictures! We so enjoyed "hosting" you guys in Green Valley. It was one of those things that just works out perfectly after not having seen you for how many years? And then we got to see Lake Patagonia and the cows when we visited. Your posted pictures and blog make it come to life again, even though we didn't see a whole lot of birds. You guys are having a blast and sound so content. It was nice meeting Nina too. Come back whenever you wish. Happy further trails and try to avoid the snow. Cory sends greetings too.
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