Change of plans for the day

Friday, March 18

We got up this morning a little later than the last two days since we were not having to be ready to move when summoned. What a great feeling. And, this turned out to be a Vermillion Flycatcher morning around our campsite. They were present in threes and fours. Wow! What a gift!

The last time we were in Tucson and vicinity a couple of years ago, we saw only one of these bright little birds. They are black-backed with red heads, throats, and breasts. If you've never seen one, first imagine the brightest fire engine red you might ever see; that's what the throat and breast of this little bird looks like. Now, imagine that red even brighter and more stunning – that's what the head looks like, especially when the sun illuminates it. We wonder how these birds ever catch insects announcing their presence with such brilliance as they do.

After doing some housekeeping, we set off for the Tucson Audubon Society store, a birders' resource, before driving the 80 miles or so to Tubac and Tumacacori, historic sites southwest of here. However, we spent so much time at the Audubon store that we never made it to the two Ts. One of the things we wanted to look for was a spotting scope to better see birds that say put more than a minute or two. We found one, and after talking with a helpful young man, we purchased a scope and tripod that fit our needs.

We also found that birders vests would be helpful when we were on the bird walk Wednesday morning. You should have see me that day, laden down with my fanny pack (bum bag in the UK), “healthy back” bag for carrying bird book and water, camera and binoculars around my neck. Not to mention sunglasses on a neck strap. I can only imagine that trying to switch from one to the other or get in the bag for water was comical to watch. So, we decided to hunt for vests for each of us. The Audubon store didn't have much, so we drove to two other stores before finding what we wanted at REI-Tucson. Yea for REI.

The day was pretty much gone, so an early dinner at Sweet Tomatoes then a little birding and scope practice at Sweetwater Wetlands right in Tucson again filled the rest of our day. Now, tomorrow we'll be ready for Arivaca, a two hour drive SW of Tucson, where there is an Audubon-led bird walk beginning at 8:00am. So, it's up at 5:00am tomorrow to leave the campground by six. Needless to say, I'm wrapping up this episode of Pam & Duffy's Wanderings right now.

Until next time,

Pam