Thursday, March 24
Our bird sighting identification conversations go something like this:
- Duffy: “See that bird over there?”
- Pam: “Which one?”
- Duffy: “The one up there on the branch.”
- Pam: “I see it.”
- Duffy: “It has a white eyebrow and a light yellow belly.”
- Pam: “It has a black cap, but it's more buffy- or olive-colored than yellow.
- Duffy: “And, it's got a long tail.”
- Pam: “The tail looks short to me.”
- Duffy: “No, the tail is long, and its belly is definitely yellow. Can you see the shape of the bill?”
- Pam: “Yes, it's short and thin.”
- Duffy: “It looks like a finch bill to me – heavy.”
- Pam: “No, it's thin. And, I don't see any definite yellow on the belly.”
- Duffy: “Rats, it flew away.”
- Pam: “No, it's still there.”
- Duffy: “Are you looking at the same bird I am?”
- Pam: “I'm looking at the bird on the branch at the tippy-top of the tree.”
- Duffy: “Mine was on the right side of the tree, down lower. I don't think we were describing the same bird.”
This seems to be a daily occurrence, but not with these big birds in Huachuca Canyon on Ft. Huachuca U.S. Army base. After getting clearance to enter the fort for birding (an easier process than at Ft. Lewis in WA), we drove to Garden Canyon. Seeing signs for No Admittance – High Fire Danger, we backtracked and drove to Huachuca Canyon.
We saw the same signs at Huachuca Canyon that we saw at Garden Canyon. This time Duffy called the MP's number we'd been given, and learned both canyons were accessible, the covers had been removed. So, after a short drive to the end at the creek's widest point along the road, we disturbed a herd of white-tail deer, many of which were young and smaller than the others. Even though we spooked them when we parked the van and got out to look for birds (this is supposed to be a great place for birders), the deer only moved off a short distance up the hill.
Then, without warning we heard commotion from up the hill on the opposite side of the creek from where we were parked. Eventually, we could see a flock of males and females approaching the bottom of the hill and the creek. All but one of the males, about six in all, came down first and gathered on the flat concrete picnic area strutting their stuff, tail feathers broadly displayed to attract the hens. These males seemed to be huddling in discussion, standing tall with bright blue heads and red wattles, tails open and upright just like a peacock during breeding season. Once the hens arrived almost to the bottom of the hill – there must have been more than 20 in the flock – two of them - delivering a quick shot of the foot at the nearest “tom,” kicking him smartly. Nothing deterred the two rivals. We just stood in amazement with binoculars and camera watching the show. The jousting males were oblivious to our presence and at one point worked their way to within 20-30 feet of our van. I caught much of it on video. It became the highlight of the day, and much unexpected.
What we expected to see in the two canyons didn't materialize for the most part. We're beginning to realize that we arrived in SE AZ in between seasons: too late for the winter and migrating birds, too late for the spring birds. That's not to say we aren't enjoying what we see. Beautiful weather, beautiful and varied scenery, much like Cuyamaca or Pine Valley in San Diego County – memories from our past as kids.
After a quick stop in Sierra Vista for supplies, we headed back to the Kartchner Caverns State Park campground for the night. Tomorrow will be a change of pace.
Until next time,
Pam
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