Sonoran Connection

Picture of the Week

2012-02-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

This weeks pic is of the Big Horn Sheep that can be seen at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum here in Tucson. We are fortunate to live a short distance from the museum and I frequently take my early morning walk around the grounds. More information on the Desert Big Horn can be found at the Cabeza Prieta NWR site here: www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/cabighrn.html

Picture of the Week

2012-02-04T05:53:00.000-08:00

It is my intention to post a new photograph each week just because I happen to like it and with the hopes that you will enjoy it too. Here's is this weeks offering. This female Anna's Hummingbird kept a close eye on me! www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Annas_Hummingbird/id/ac

Agua Caliente Park

2012-02-02T05:31:00.000-08:00

We set out early this morning to visit Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park which is nestled in the northeastern corner of Tucson. With the Santa Catalina's and the Rincon Mountains as back drops. Agua Caliente is an unusual desert oasis loaded with birdwatching opportunities.

As we stepped out of the car we were greeted by this "empidonax". There is no grouping of birds that is harder to identify but they make for a great picture. You can learn more about the trials and tribulations of identification of emphidonax here: 10000birds.com/what-is-an-empidonax-flycatcher.htm

We are originally from New England and immediately were aware of the familiar call of Robin Red Breast. There were perhaps 15 or so that I counted during our visit. Learn more about American Robins here: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_robin/id/ac

Agua Caliente which translates to "Hot Water" is a year round source of warm water that comes from the Santa Catalina's. There is a spot in the park where the water bubbles up out of the ground and turns into a small stream that feeds the ponds at Agua Caliente. The park was planted many years ago with non native palm trees that have grown to magnificent size and are the most notable plant around the main pond.

I loved this walk through the wooded area of the park. It has a variety of trees but is mostly Mesquite. This path leads to the smaller ponds that are fed water after the main pond is full and while we were there the water was coming in at a very slow rate. These ponds were by no means at capacity and we saw very little activity here.

Most of the palms were not pruned and had the fronds hanging all the way to the ground which provides a home for many birds and other desert creatures.

Another surprise was the presence of Cedar Waxwings which were near the water and feeding in the palms as shown here. I estimate that there were around two dozen Waxwings in the park and everyone was trying to get a good picture. I have to admit that when I'm in the field the excitement of the moment sometimes overcomes my technical sensibilities and when I load the images onto my computer there is always the possibility that I will be disappointed with the results. The waxwings is one such incident and I am considering an early morning return to try once again. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_waxwing/id/ac

There are many picnic tables at the first pond which has a contingent of resident mallards and other ducks that are very comfortable around humans and some dogs. Most were scattered along the waters edge sleeping and barely noticed our presence if at all.

The three photos above show the size of the palms which must have been planted many years ago. While not native to the Sonoran Desert there are many palms throughout the Tucson area.

This Great Blue Heron spent the entire time we were there observing the water around this platform. Moving from side to side but we never saw it enter the water or catch any food. You can read more about Great Blue Herons here at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/id/ac

These two photos show the Santa Catalina's in the background and the "oasis" quality of the first pond juxtaposed against the traditional dry desert mountains. It's a contrast that's worth seeing as there are so few permanent water sources here in the desert.

The rule for bird watching here in southern Arizona in expect the unexpected and I didn't expect to see a pair of male Ring-necked Ducks today but here is the proof. Check out Ring-necked Ducks here: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Duck/id/ac

It was a nice visit and I will return to Agua Caliente in the future as it has allot to offer those of us who seek to spend our days in and around nature.

Saguaro Forest?

2012-01-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have tried on many occasions to shoot a photo that would illustrate the term "Saguaro Forest". Saguaros have a tendency to stand out when I look at them and then blend into their surroundings when I snap the shutter. On more than one occasion I have thought that I captured the essence of the "forest" only to find out later that it was not to be.

I took this shot this morning at Gates Pass looking west toward the Baboquivari Mountain Range in the background. To get the full impact of the term "forest" click on the photo to see the enlarged version. Enjoy.

Grand Canyon Photo Group

2012-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is a grouping of photos that I took on a whirlwind trip to the Grand Canyon in April of 2010. I have sold one of these photos multiple times and the others are printed and framed for the first time. As you will see all four photos were taken at the south rim within a 6 hour period. I couldn't help but notice how many different looks the canyon has in a short period of time.

I've started doing my own mats and framing and really actually enjoy the process especially when the results are close to what I envisioned in the first place. This "Blue Canyon" was taken at 5:27 A.M. We had arrived while it was still dark and hung out to see what would happen. Overall size is approx. 14x24 and will be priced at around $65

I call this one "Rise" This is a much larger sunrise photo at right around 21x27 inches. It will be priced at $125. As these are pictures of pictures some of the detail in this photo near the bottom is not visible and the sun rays are much more pronounced in the actual photo. It was taken at 5:50 A.M

This photo has sold multiple times in this exact format. Even when placed with lots of other options this photo is a standout. This one reminds me of the Maxfield Parrish print that I used to buy at auction in New England. This is without a doubt my most popular art photograph and in this configuration sells for $125. This one was taken at 6:55 A.M.

When I first saw this photo I immediately thought what a great black and white print it would make. Smaller than most of my works and in a square format this one retails for $75 at 16x16 inches overall dimension including the frame. All dimensions given include the frames. This photo was taken mid morning. I can't wait to have another opportunity to photograph the Grand Canyon which is a project in the planning.

A Visit to the Sandhills

2011-12-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since I've checked in on the Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw so I thought I would use a little of my new found freedom and make the journey on Tuesday. Now it's about a 240 mile round trip so it's more time in the car then actually watching the cranes but it is a spectacular sight to see thousands of Sandhills return from feeding in the grain fields of area farms.

If you have ever been to this area you already know how "out there" you are due to long stretches of almost nothing. Fortunately Nan and I love to watch for the hawks that winter here and spend their time pole sitting along the roads leading to Whitewater. On this trip this guy caught my eye in the area known as "Sunsites" At first I thought it might be an eagle so I stopped turned around and got out the binoculars to identify the very dark bird. Turned out to be a Dark Morph Red Tail as you can see in the picture. It was munching on some poor bird who apparently wasn't fast enough to stay clear of this magnificent buteo. You can learn more about Red Tails here at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-tailed_hawk/id/ac

Upon arriving at Whitewater it was immediately clear that water levels in the marshes had only recovered to about half their normal level since our last visit. Just to the left of the above picture there is water being pumped into the marsh at a pretty good rate so I expect that levels will continue to rise but it is a big area and without rain this could become quite dry in the summer months ahead.

Where ever I go here in extreme southern Arizona and there are marshes there are usually American Coot around making their distinctive call over and over to make sure everyone is aware of their presence. Learn more about American Coot here at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_coot/id/ac

Cold nights and days in the 60's and 70's make this area a great place to spend time bird watching. When we started out it was with jackets and gloves and ice on the marsh. Beautiful Arizona sun was the order of the day with a slow warming trend that made the outer wear unnecessary.

I have never seen Coots on ice before and it was quite humorous. Their large feet make their strides on the hard surface awkward and I was quite amused when they all fell into line to transition from open water to the ice.

Although water levels were low there was quite a variety of birds at the marsh including many Northern Shovelers and other ducks using the various ponds. Black Phoebes were abundant as were the many sparrows that are always present here at whitewater.

WHO AM I? The above picture shows the one that got away. A beautiful not too often seen because it likes to hide medium sized creature that frequents marshes. Tell me what you think it is by leaving a note in the comment section and I will let you know if you are correct.

The Sandhills started returning to the Draw almost as soon as we arrived. You can pretty much tell time by these guys as they are truly creatures of habit. If you arrive at Whitewater at 10 A.M. and stick around until 2 P.M. you will witness thousands of birds returning from feeding in the grain fields. On this visit the cranes were roosting much farther away than last year. Perhaps due to changes in the water levels or just their natural inclination to land where the first groups land for protection from predators they chose to stay far from the reach of my camera. I would put the numbers of Sandhills at between 10 and 12,000 but I could be wrong because they were for the most part they were hundreds of yards away.

When I first saw Sandhills I thought what awkward flyers they are but I have since come to realize that they are quite masterful in flight especially landing as seen above. Learn about Sandhill Cranes here at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/lifehistory/ac

This is what the skies look like as the cranes return to Whitewater.

There were a few Pied-billed Grebes present which are always fun to watch as they go about their business of feeding which consists of diving over and over for their food source. The grebes also sink out of sight whenever they sense danger as we observed when the Northern Harrier got a little too close for their comfort.

There are a few Northern Harriers at the Draw and they seem to be continually looking for food. Moving in sometimes very large circles and sometimes smaller ones they fly just above the marsh dropping down to grab their meal out of sight in the marsh grasses. A remarkable bird to watch.

2012 at Sonoran Connection

2011-12-24T05:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of you who visited here over the last few years. I hope you have enjoyed your visits to Sonoran Connection and will plan on returning often during the coming year.
2012 promises to be a great year for Sonoran Connection now that my time is no longer devoted to a 40 hour a week job. I will be spending allot more time in the field exploring the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts and expanding outward to places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park and many other interesting and picturesque places here in the west.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and prosperous new year .

Ray Goodwin
Sonoran Connection

Lunar Eclipse 12/10 2011

2011-12-11T06:02:00.001-08:00

4:49 A.M. MST

5:44 A.M. MST

5:50 A.M. MST

5:58 A.M. MST

6:12 A.M. MST

6:18 A.M. MST

6:36 A.M. MST Camera setting change.

6:41 A.M. MST

6:42 A.M. MST

6:43 A.M. MST

A Long Time Coming.....

2011-11-26T04:20:00.001-08:00

I have waited for a very long time to be able to make this announcement. As of December 23, 2011 I will
be leaving my 40 hour a week day job and embarking on a new and hopefully much more fulfilling journey of discovery.
After spending most of the last 33 years working in the healthcare field it is time to turn my attentions to my true passions which are of course photography and the environment. Never before in the history of the world has there been such a pressing need for individuals committed to the revitalization and preservation of the natural world. I intend to be one of those individuals and I intend to encourage others to join with me in a concerted effort to reverse the current trajectory of climate change and the devastation it promises if we are unsuccessful in limiting our impact on the planet.

Regards

Ray Goodwin

Sonoran Connection

We Give Thanks

2011-11-24T04:44:00.001-08:00

From The Buffalo Field Campaign working tirelessly to protect Yellowstone's wild buffalo.

www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

We give thanks that there are still wild buffalo walking the Earth. Buffalo that still follow their migratory instincts and still carry the integral wisdom of the ancients that does not bend or bow to human fences, boundaries, or prejudice. We give thanks for the wild buffalo's instincts to simply place one foot in front of the other and walk the land, regardless of government plans; a drive so deeply rooted in their time before time that man's shallow greed has not yet taken this from them. We give thanks that buffalo still roam, confounding certain humans' selfishly inflicted consequences. We give thanks for the last remaining buffalo that found shelter in Yellowstone's remote Pelican Valley barely 150 years ago; the twenty-three that were all that was left of tens of millions, who ensured the survival and wild integrity of their prehistoric kind. We give thanks that buffalo have biologically withstood diseases brought by invasive cattle, their blood building resistance to the dark gifts from these bovine invaders. We give thanks that it is still possible to look into the eyes of a wild buffalo and remember a time we forgot we once knew, and dream of its return. We give thanks that the land cries out for the return of wild buffalo, welcoming their homecoming when the hearts of humans open to the drumming of the buffalos' foot steps, and the land is again shared, healed and whole with the presence of wild buffalo.

We give thanks for the abundance of snow that has been falling, snow that brings the life giving waters when the sun waxes and the rivers run fast and deep through the veins of the mountains and out to the sea. Bittersweet this gift, as the buffalo will also flow with the deepening snow, and this is as it should be, and though we know harm awaits them, we celebrate their life force and give thanks that they continue in their wild ways despite the obstacles. We give thanks for the persistence, resistance, and endurance of wild buffalo.

We give thanks for those who hear the call of the wild buffalo. We are grateful for the volunteers who come from around the globe to defend the buffalo, joining us for the first time, or coming back again year after year, or returning after an absence. We give thanks for everyone everywhere who cares about wild buffalo and celebrates their wildness and takes action for their right to roam. We give thanks to all of you who make it possible for us to be here standing with the last wild buffalo, bearing witness, sharing their story. We give thanks for the realization that long-term perseverance and passion-turned-action will bring the necessary change we all seek. We give thanks that the status quo that harms the buffalo and the land is an unsustainable and temporary thing in the grand theater of life on earth. We give thanks that there is still time to act, though the time is short, and act we must. We give thanks for the elders who guide us with experience and wisdom and for the flame of passion that burns within the hearts and minds of the youth; for the combined energy and power we hold in our hands to save us from ourselves, and learn to be more like the buffalo. We give thanks for the lessons the buffalo teach us about family, solidarity, fearlessness, abundance, resolve, gentle strength, coexistence, following our instincts without compromise, non-violence and the simplicity of the solutions right before our eyes. We give thanks for the hope and vision of a life for buffalo in which they thrive within their inherent wildness, for a world in which buffalo and all other native wildlife are given precedence on public land, and that buffalo herds will flourish as self-regulating sustainable populations, a rich and viable source for their future evolutionary potential and ambassador for the sovereignty of the land.

We give thanks ~ everyday ~ for the wild buffalo that remain and for each and everyone of you who cares about buffalo and makes the work of Buffalo Field Campaign possible.

Thank you from Buffalo Field Campaign!

Roam Free!

More From Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

2011-11-22T16:08:00.001-08:00

The Grasslands Fair at BANWR

2011-11-20T04:39:00.001-08:00

We set out early and headed to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge which has it's headquarters just north of the Mexican border near Sasabe, Arizona which is a port of entry into the U.S.. Buenos Aires is approximately 118,000 acres of land with a history of cattle ranching that is now the only place in the United States that the endangered Masked Bobwhite Quail can be found in the wild. BANWR also is home to several other endangered species including the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, the Chiracahua Leopard Frog, the Pima Pineapple Cactus, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and the Kearney's Bluestar. Any one of these endangered plants or animals would make this a very special place but to have them all in one small protected place is amazing.

www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=22530

From above the old mesquite cattle pen the effects of all those years of cattle grazing can be seen here as what was once open grassland has been over taken by Mesquite trees. It's all about habitat and changes in a specie's population can almost always be traced back to habitat destruction and habitat destruction can almost always be traced to human intervention.

This time of year the grasses have turned golden brown and when there is water available an abundance of wildlife is present. BANWR is really three separate habitats combined into one great refuge. There is the grasslands, the cienega and the canyon habitats and I have been fortunate enough to have visited and photographed each one of these enormously important and beautiful places.

The fair draws an incredible number of people considering it's remote location. Representatives from Tohono Chul, The Sonoran Desert Museum and many others brought snakes, lizards, tarantula's, hawks, owls, and a variety of exhibits to share knowledge of the natural world and their particular organization. There were presentations throughout the day about the natural history of the area and there was lots of networking with old friends and new.

As everyone that knows me already knows I have a passion for photographing the world of nature and I love to promote places like Buenos Aires. Protecting Americas wildlife and wildlands is one of the most important issues facing the country and the world. It's a shame that pushing wildlife to the brink of extinction is such a common occurrence but by supporting the people on the front lines with our donations and time and especially our voice we can make a huge difference in the lives of many of the species that would simply disappear.

Sally Gall who is the Wildlife Refuge Manager quizzed the crowd on the number of refuges nation wide (555) and when BANWR was first established (1985) and kept everyone informed about the days events. I had a chance to talk to Sally briefly about the Masked Bobwhite Breeding Program and I hope to with, Sally's blessing, do a very special post on the bird and it's progress in the near future.

Plata of Nogales played music during the day and the people really enjoyed their Peruvian origins.

The driving force behind the grasslands fair is Richard Conway, geologist, committed conservationist and all around nice guy. Working through the FOBANWR Richard has made significant contributions to the refuge in both time and spirit.

The highlight of the day came near the end of the fair when Mexicayotl Academy Azteca Dancers performed. With seemingly unlimited energy and a sense of humor the dancers sweep the crowd up in it's rhythms.

I really appreciated the connection between the dance and the care of nature as well as the involvement of everyone present. Truly fun with a touch of spirit and oneness.

The day ended with the auctioning off of the photographs and artwork that was donated in support of BANWR. All in all a great day in a great place with great people. What more could anyone want?

Nature all around us is disappearing and only we can prevent that from happening. Doing nothing is no longer an option. Enjoying the birds is no longer enough. We must speak and be heard. We must consider our own impact upon the planet and we must above all else get involved with places like Buenos Aires or one of the other 555 refuges across the land. Give when and where you can, volunteer and speak out loudly and clearly. Make yourself known everyday and we just might save the planet!

2011-11-13T16:05:00.001-08:00

Only 50 Mexican Grey Wolves in the Wild

This from our friends at Lobos of the Southwest.

www.mexicanwolves.org/index.php/news/540/51/Take-Action-Help-More-Mexican-Wolves-Live-in-the-Wild-Where-They-Belong

Massachusetts You're My Home

2011-11-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Turners Falls Bridge over the Connecticut River

I grew up in Massachusetts, still have family and friends there and love the atmosphere there especially in the western part of the state. This trip made me realize that I need to spend allot more time there in the future. Anyone who has been there during foliage season knows the sheer magnificence of the October maple trees . When I was a teenager I had a close friend whose family owned and operated a "sugar house". Nothing in the whole world smells as good as sap being boiled down into maple syrup and nothing tastes as wonderful as the hot syrup scooped directly from the wood fired evaporator.
Each spring while the snow was still on the ground and nights were cold and days were warm my job was to collect the sap that dripped into buckets from the tapped trees as well as from the "pipe lines" that carried the sap to holding tanks at the bottom of the run. Good memories of a truly great time racing through back roads in our green chevy pick-up loaded with sap headed for the sugar house.

Many of the old manufacturing plants that used to produce paper and tools have been abandoned or turned into things like this education center in Turners Falls.

This is below the Turners Falls dam which was flowing quite nicely.

This is Main Street downtown Greenfield where I graduated from high school in 1967. It really has changed very little in all those years. The real difference is that the cars are much newer but not nicer and I didn't recognize a single soul. When I was a young boy my parents would drive to Main Street on friday night and park the desoto and we would watch the town roll by just like everyone else did. We thought it was quite the fun thing to do.

It's hard to believe but the "Bridge of Flowers" was under water just a few short weeks before the picture. It's literally 30 feet to the water in this shot. During the recent flooding in the Shelburne Falls area houses and businesses were destroyed and entire roads washed away.

This is one of my favorite shots from the Bridge of Flowers which is a must see if you are ever in the area.

On the Bridge

The falls across the street from the Bridge of Flowers.

The serene Deerfield River runs along sections of the Mohawk Trail which is one of the prettiest autumn drives anywhere. Unfortunately this years foliage was just beginning as we were getting ready to head back to Tucson.

This house reminded me of my home in Sheepscot Maine which also sat on the banks of a river.

I spent a fair amount of time in the early AM at the Connecticut River photographing the wildlife and the foliage. I have to say I could not get enough of being near the water. Water is everywhere in New England unlike here in Tucson which has very little water.

There were dozens of Canada Geese at the river and it was really nice to see them again flying overhead in a v formation. These particular geese have been banded but I was not able to see any information on the bands.

The above picture was taken at the Cove in Gill Massachusetts across the river from Turners Falls. There were about 14 swans in the area and I was able to get one of my favorite shots of the trip.

This is the pond across the street from my brother Tom's house in Greenfield and as you can see the foliage was just starting to pop as we came to the end of our trip but we didn't let it stop the sheer fun of the reunion with family and friends.

Farm stands are everywhere and fall is a great time for mums and pumpkins. This one caught my eye in Montague Mass. which is a great little town close to the university of Massachusetts.

These are shots of a waterfall near the Connecticut River in Montague.

I wish I could have been there for the entire season but it was not to be this year but there is always next year!

OTHER VOICES

2011-10-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

I heard other voices but they were shy.
I heard other voices and wanted to cry.
First they were loud and then they were soft
then they were quiet and then they were lost.
So many have come and so many have gone

I heard other voices, they didn’t care
I heard other voices, no need to beware
Them that are left will be leaving soon too
Loud and then soft and then quiet and then lost

I heard other voices none of them mine
I heard other voices that seemed out of time
I heard other voices, saying farewell to the wolf
I heard other voices, saying farewell to the whale

I heard other voices that began to cry out
I heard Rachel and Teddy and Aldo and Al
I heard Henry and visited the "Outermost House"
I heard another voice at first it was shy
Then it was soft and finally loud

I heard other voices, deep down in my heart
I heard other voices so loud and so clear
I heard other voices, calling to the wolf
I heard other voices, calling to the whale

I heard other voices with so little time.
I heard other voices and finally mine.
At first lost and then quiet
then soft and then loud

New England

2011-10-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from our trip to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. We landed in Connecticut and traveled our one rainy day up to the New Hampshire coast and then on to Rockport Maine. It was great to be home again as I hadn't been back in over four years and it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to seeing my family and friends again.

The New Hampshire coast was grey and sullen and beautiful with it's 13 miles of exceptional views of the open ocean and marshes. We lingered as much as the rain would allow and I photographed these very familiar scenes from my past.

Standing on the shore looking out over the ocean is both wonderful and disturbing. The rhythm of the waves, the sudden crash against the rocks, the feeling of belonging, of being home again juxtaposed with a great sense of loss and the sense of an underlying, unseen tragedy. The abundance that once was no longer is, an abundance that is I fear is lost forever. Still I love this place and I can't help but hope that people will come to their senses and find a way to save the oceans of the world by giving them the help they need to recover from the relentless destruction of the last century.
Our second stop was Rockport Maine where we would stay with family and have some time to check out Camden and Rockport harbors. As luck would have it the weather cleared and photography would be much easier without the rain.

I made a couple of visits to Camden Harbor on a truly beautiful day. Camden is one of those famous Maine coastal towns that is picturesque everywhere you look. I have to admit that I've always enjoyed boats and in my youth I spent a summer working in a Maine shipyard building a 99 foot ferry boat and a 138 foot cruise boat.

Next we headed to Rockport Harbor which is more of a working harbor. There is a statue to Andre the seal who adopted a local family and had a movie made about him..

Returning to the village where I lived before coming to Arizona is always special to me. After stopping by the cemetery to visit my Mom and Dad's grave we headed to the Sheepscot River which is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I was fortunate enough to live in the Sheepscot Village for a total of four years and was always happy there.

I loved it here and some times I wish I had never left but the world is so big and there is so much to see.............

Well it's tomorrow and I have added photos from Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells Maine. Our walk through the refuge is just a small part of the total acreage set aside to protect migratory birds and preserve the coast in it's natural beauty. I found the following description of the refuge at the US Fish and Wildlife site.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge: A safe haven for wildlife

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Located along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. It will contain approximately 14,600 acres when land acquisition is complete. The proximity of the refuge to the coast and its location between the eastern deciduous forest and the boreal forest creates a composition of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Maine. Major habitat types present on the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast.

We had a truly wonderful afternoon walk and I can't wait to return and explore the rest of the refuge in the near future. So many places to see and so little time.

The foliage had only just begun to turn as we headed back down the coast and while it was a little disappointing not to see brilliance of the New England annual display this place is so special that it's natural beauty overcomes my senses in any season and reminds me of who I am and what I am all about.

I have spent many, many days and nights here at Wells Beach walking the wonderful sandy beach from end to end stopping for fried clams every now and then. Some of my best memories of my life with Nancy were here in the great state of Maine.

I plan on making the Massachusetts portion of our trip a separate post hopefully this coming weekend. This part of the trip is the area where I grew up and went to high school. Should be fun!

Connections

2011-10-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

In the truest sense we are all connected, bound to a small planet in this vast universe with very limited resources. We have limited space, limited food, limited drinking water, and if nothing changes a limited future.
Plants and animals are disappearing at an alarming rate, the oceans are on the brink of collapse, our energy choices are polluting the air we breathe and the water that sustains our existence. Our choices are causing a global shift toward hotter climates and much more severe weather. Everywhere you look our world is out of balance, spinning out of control and losing the very essence of what it once was. Even those of us who consider ourselves good stewards of the earth are constantly having to re-evaluate the choices we make as we come to realize that in our everyday lives we are unwittingly supporting those among us who are destroying our planet for personal gain. We are connected. Connected to those whose actions are causing irreparable harm to our world.
It's in the food choices we make, the tuna fishing that kills the dolphins, it's the shrimpers that are killing the sea turtles, the cattle ranchers that are overgrazing the public lands and killing the wolves. It's the toilet paper and tissue we use that comes from old growth forests, it's the fracking and the coal and the oil and it's the mining and it's the chemicals we spray relentlessly on our lawns. It's so many things that it would take forever to list them all. All of these things connect us to the people and the corporations that prey on the environment for a personal wealth that is nothing short of obscene.
It's the choices in our everyday lives that have made billionaire moguls of bad guys and bad companies. There will always be people willing to do long term damage for short term gain and they are counting on you not being a savvy consumer who stops and thinks about where the product came from and who's behind it and what is the environmental damage associated with it is. Would you really continue to eat tuna from a company that is using methods that kill thousands of turtles, sharks and other species and is depleting the ocean stocks of tuna to a dangerously unsustainable level? When you throw those steaks on the barbecue do you stop and think about the wolves that are being eradicated by ranchers?
The truth is we have built a world on unsustainable practices and we have now reached the crossroads for the entire planet. The big guys make the kind of choices that damage the environment because they are not held to account by the consumer. They are not held to account by you.
The question is what can we do about a world system built on the total annihilation of species after species? What can we do about people and corporations that believe only in the accumulation of wealth even beyond what they could ever spend in many lifetimes.
The answer is amazingly simple! Stop buying what they are selling. Knowing what you are actually buying and learning which companies are good stewards of the earth is a good start. Joining organizations like Greenpeace or the NRDC will also help you to become a more informed consumer. Just a little research on your part will help you to help save the planet. Remember reusing and recycling are great but not buying it in the first place is better!

Season's First Visit to Whitewater Draw Conservation Area

2011-09-17T05:19:00.000-07:00

We made our first visit of the season to Whitewater Draw on last Saturday arriving just after sunrise on a beautiful, cool ( upper 60's ) morning. Conditions could not have been better as it had rained the night before and no one else was around so at least for a short while Whitewater would be ours to enjoy in solitude.

As you might already know Whitewater Draw is a great place to see the Sandhill Cranes that winter here in the south of Arizona near the Mexican border. After some deliberation and an absolutely wonderful visit there I have decided to continue to my series that I began last October on the Sandhill Cranes.

As a photographer and nature lover I never tire of seeing these amazing creatures up close and although I have some great shots already I know that the quintessential moment is still to come and hopefully I'll be able to capture it.

There were no cranes spotted on this visit but there was plenty to see and it was such a nice morning that we went about our business encountering the small joys that a place like this is rife with including the tiniest frogs I have ever seen and a Great White Egret landing gracefully to feed in the marsh grass.

Bird watching at Whitewater Draw always provides some nice surprises like the flock of White-faced Ibises that flew around us and landed mostly beyond the reach of my 300 mm lens. White-faced Ibises are the western counterpart to the Glossy Ibis which would be considered rare if it was spotted here. It is not unheard of so I am hopeful that someday I'll have the chance to see one here in Arizona.

This is the time of the year that I have been waiting for, a time when the 100+ degree heat diminishes and the humidity begins to abate making outdoor adventures possible once again. If you have never experienced a southern Arizona summer it is hard to imagine a more hostile environment if you are not totally prepared for it. Although monsoon season can be oppressive it is also extremely beautiful with it's spectacular sunrises and sunsets, it's puffy white clouds that build into afternoon downpours and fierce thunder and lightning.

The most amazing thing about being here this time of year is the winged migration that is beginning all around me. So many amazing places to go and enjoy birds as they head back southward in search of food. While most people think of the desert as devoid of life just the opposite is true. There is so much life here including the millions of birds that pass through here each year.

I see quite a few Great Blue Herons in my travels but this one almost went un-noticed as they tend to blend into the marsh.

I have always seen flocks of blackbirds as a harbinger of autumn both in the northeast when I lived there and here in the southwest. There is nothing that says fall like the large undulating masses of birds that seem to have a single mind in the air.

If you have ever been to Whitewater after it has rained recently than you know that the walking is a little on the difficult side as mud sticks to your shoes and ends up weighing about five pounds on each foot after a short distance. It does not take away from the beauty all around and we were fortunate to have the place to ourselves for our entire visit.

It takes some effort to get to Whitewater as it is not just off the highway but it is well worth the effort especially when there are thousands of Sandhills present but you never know when you might see, say a Great Horned Owl or two!

Sweetwater Morning

2011-09-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

Thought people might like to see the birds that you can find in central Tucson Arizona. I spent about 90 minutes walking around Sweetwater Wetlands this morning amazed as usual at the variety of birds that are attracted to water here in the desert.

Black Necked Stilts

Female Mallard

Anatomy of Two Arizona Storms

2011-09-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

If you can imagine it we Tucsonans are longing for the temperature to drop below the century mark into the 90's. Monsoon weather lingers and everyday this week is likely to be 102 degrees or above. Fortunately this produces some fairly spectacular opportunities to photograph the unique storms that arrive in the afternoons here in southwest Arizona. Recently I photographed storms in Tucson Mountain Park adjacent to Saguaro National Park West and atop Kitt Peak the world renowned observatory located on the Tohono O'odham reservation 35 moles west of Tucson.

On August 19th on my way home from work I spotted this storm as I drove up Ajo Way . I decided it was defined enough and the entire system was visible so I grabbed my camera and ran out to the park which is directly behind my house to see if I could get some decent photos. The following four photos are in sequence as the storm moved from the south toward the north as they often do here.

Most rain during monsoon season here in the Sonoran Desert are not wide spread but rather "scattered" and while it was raining quite hard towards the mountains as you can see it was not raining at all in the location where I was standing to take these photos.

A typical monsoon day as I have observed it starts out with early morning scattered clouds that turn pink and red for a very brief time as the sun rises above the horizon in the east. Depending on the amount and placement of the clouds it can be very beautiful if only for a few fleeting moments.

Storms like these along with the more sedate winter rains are responsible for the incredible diversity of plants and animals here in southern Arizona. Some areas get substantial rain while others are completely passed by and people frequently comment on the torrential rains of the previous day that I had no idea even happened because my little corner of the world remained dry this time. These storms in summer are frequently accompanied by thunder, lightning (Tucson is the lightning capital of the world) and high winds that are sometimes extremely violent and do major damage to property and this year have torn down many electric poles leaving residents without air conditioning for hours and days in 100+ degree heat.

The next storm of interest was one that I photographed atop Kitt Peak on what I can only describe as a beautiful, sunny day that was a little too hot at 6000 feet above sea level. As this first picture will show there was not a cloud anywhere to be found at 10:30 A.M. as we ascended the mountain seeking relief from the temperature on the desert floor which was approaching 100 degrees.

One thing that I really enjoy here in the desert is the vast openness of the valley where it is not uncommon to be able to see for hundreds of miles from the right vantage point. I also love the vast blue skies.

At 10:45 we began to see the "puffy whites" forming over the valley in front of Baboquivari which is the sacred mountain of the Tohono O'odham tribe.

Kitt Peak rises 6000 feet above sea level and the views are spectacular on most days. As you can see by 11:13 A.M. the clouds were expanding but still not covering the blue,blue sky.

11:19 A.M.The solar telescope is the mot unusual one on the skyline and give you an idea of how close to the clouds you are standing atop Kitt Peak. I love visiting here just for the view but there is plenty to see including the telescopes, many of which allow you inside for a visit. Kitt Peak Observatory also has many programs during the year that you can read about here: www.noao.edu/kpno/ .

At 11:45 A.M. we are starting to see the energy building out over the valley as the clouds are adding height and darkening just a little.

By12:19 P.M. the first columns of rain and a few lightning strikes appeared in the greatly expanded as well as darkened cloud mass.

12.21 P.M.

12:27 P.M.

12:30 P.M. It's certainly has grown into a force of nature in a very short time and it was really terrific to be able to see the whole process from the top of Kitt Peak.

12:34 P.M A curtain of water has developed from what a short time ago seemed like an empty sky. Amazing!

California Condor Release in Arizona

2011-09-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

On September 24th 2011 three California Condors will be released at Vermillion Cliffs in northern Arizona. The public will be allowed to view the release at 11:00 A.M. from a predetermined viewing area.

California Condor Sweeps the Grand Canyon

More information on the release can be found at the Peregrine Funds website here: www.peregrinefund.org/news-release/217

Rescued and Released in Key West

2011-09-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Sarah releases our Swallow-tailed kite into the air just south of Fort Taylor so it can rejoin the migration to South America. A large kettle of Swallow-tailed Kites was seen heading south soon after this release. This bird was rescued by the crew of The Piscivorious a few miles off of Key West.
By: Key West Wildlife Center

Sarah (my daughter) makes me proud once again. It is people like Sarah around the country that do the day to day hard work involved in saving the planet from all manner of ecologic catastrophe. I can't help but notice the joy in her expression as she releases the Swallow-tailed Kite to resume it's interrupted journey to South America. Kudos to the crew of the Piscivorious!
You can learn more about the Swallow-tailed Kite at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/lifehistory

A Generation that "Could but Wouldn't"

2011-07-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Will we will be the generation that future generations blame for failing to protect the earth. Will we be the generation that could have saved the planet but decided not to?
Each day dozens of e-mails hit my inbox attesting to the perilous state of our environment and the deplorable state of some of our most endangered species. The gray wolf is under attack in many states where complete annihilation is the only thing that will satisfy the cattle industry. The only wild buffalo herd left in the United States is being systematically hazed and killed by those we entrusted with their care. Whales continue to be killed by Japan and Iceland. The oceans are approaching collapse. The National Parks are being starved of funds needed to keep them healthy as mining and gas and oil interests continue to try to encroach on these magnificent places with little regard for the consequences. Our air and water is being polluted at an unbelievable rate and our congress is trying to roll back most of the environmental safeguards that we have managed to put in place over the past few decades.

Politicians pander to those interests that have the deepest pockets, caring little for the future of our country and the world. In some circles environment is a dirty word and cash is king. Many of our leaders seek to undo any regulation that stands in the way of an absolute and total plunder of our resources with little or no regard for the other species that inhabit our planet.
Many sit back watching it happen and it is happening. It's picking up speed , moving at an unprecedented pace toward an irreversible outcome. Imagine a world without eagles, a world without ponderosa pines, a world where every storm turns violent, imagine a world without polar bears, or seals, or hammerhead sharks, one with no whales, no salmon, no sea turtles. All of these things are possible if nothing changes. If we continue to ignore the truth of our planets final chance at redemption then the future is bleak and generations to come will curse our lack of action.
We must get involved now. We must speak out now. Please join an organization that works to protect nature or volunteer at a preserve or perhaps a national park. Become politically aware and help elect environmentally friendly politicians.We must save the eagles, the wolves, the fishes in the oceans and we must do it now or we will become the generation that "could have saved the earth but wouldn't".
Photos taken at Madera Canyon south of Tucson, Arizona.

Monsoon Season

2011-07-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

The rains finally came here in Tucson Arizona. Their brief but welcome stay was the most violent that I had experienced here in the Sonoran Desert. High winds and torrential rains came in the early evenings on several days inside a single week damaging buildings, knocking down power poles and creating rivers across many of the roads. At times there was one to two feet of water in intersections with no traffic lights to guide us. A major dust storm (haboob) was spawned here in Tucson which then traveled northward and engulfed all of Phoenix, truly an amazing event certainly aided but the very dry conditions in the desert. www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/06/phoenix-dust-storm-photos-video_n_891157.html

With all of the inconvenience that the rains bring I was happy for the many animals and plants that have had to struggle to find water during this very serious drought period. A period so serious in fact that national forests were closed due to extreme fire conditions from a lack of moisture, a first since we came here to Tucson. Over 500,000 acres burned in multiple fires across the state including the Sierra Vista fire which leveled many homes and businesses as it marched across the parched earth. I watched the tragedy unfold in Sierra Vista and could not believe how fast thousands of acres were lost.

The rains have left us at least for the time being and the small watering hole that we provide outside our window remains busy with visits from coyote, rabbits, mule deer, all manor of birds and I'm sure many night visitors while we sleep as the water seems to disappear when we are not watching. Birds come to drink and bathe all day long and in the evening the rabbits gingerly approach including our very special three eared one that has been a regular for some time.

I am hopeful that the rains will return soon as the temperatures exceed 100 on most days this time of year and have reached as high as 111 degrees on occasion. Can you imagine temperatures over 100 degrees and not being able to find adequate water? What must it feel like to be thirsty in that kind of environment? Perhaps it's time to stop denying mans impact on the environment, time to admit that global warming is real and that we can and should try to do something about it before it's too late.

P.S. I just startled a coyote getting a drink outside my window.

The Monument Fire- Aftermath Sierra Vista

2011-06-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

I returned to Sierra Vista to see the aftermath of the Monument Fire that has burned for more than a week in that community. It was even more unbelievable than I had could have imagined.

Some homes and businesses were lost while others completely surrounded by fire were spared.
As far as the eye can see the landscape is blackened giving it another world look right out of a science fiction novel. Entire mountains were consumed by flames, thousands of acres charred, that for the moment look lifeless and as if nothing has survived. Not too long ago I studied the effects of the 2003 Aspen Fire on Mt Lemmon and I know that this is not true and that the area will recover over time.
This is the area where the fire broke across fire containment lines and crossed highway 92 on Sunday when the winds were reaching 50 to 60 mph. This is an appropriate place to commend the fire and emergency crews who did an incredible job under extremely harsh conditions. High winds, high temperatures, dry conditions, low humidity and rough terrain all combined to make this an extremely difficult fire and in my opinion it could have been much,much worse were it not for the hard work and dedication of crews from all over.
Several businesses in the path of the fire were completely destroyed. Evacuations must have come fast as lots of vehicles and other things were abandoned to the whims of the flames. Some burned to the ground while others next door were unscathed.

Everything burned except this house for some reason. Truly amazing.

Our Lady of the Sierras was partially destroyed but the huge celtic cross was spared
Another home spared while all around everything else burned.

There is a mop up crew on the mountain and if you enlarge the photo above you might be able to see the dozen or so firefighters doing their job.

Contrast between areas that burned and those that did not.
Flame retardant dropped from planes to stop advancing flames.

Monument Fire Rages 6/19/11

2011-06-19T17:05:00.001-07:00

Urgent Notice! Latest Evacuation Information www.sierravistaaz.gov/

With winds forecast at more than 50 miles per hours I expected that the situation in Sierra Vista to worsen as the day went on and sadly I was right. As we entered the city limits smoke was billowing from Miller Canyon and traveling as far as the eye could see.
Once again I was unable to access the area beyond Ramsey Road but I certainly understand why officials had the area closed off to the public and I do not want to be a problem for firefighters who obviously have their hands full with today's developments.

With the direction of the high winds it was only a matter of time that the fire would move out of the canyon and threaten populated areas and as of this afternoon new mandatory evacuations have been called for as it is reported that the fire has crossed highway 92 and entered the grasslands that are so very dry.
Information on the evacuation order can be found here at: www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/06/19/20110619monument-fire-arizona-update.html

As I took this photo I overheard several residents by the side of the road talking about the pending evacuation order. Behind me are neighborhoods that are threatened and it looks like some have already left the area.

Equipment continues to arrive and the firefighting crew has grown to more than a thousand personnel.

The evacuation information leads me to believe that San Pedro Wildlife Conservation Area could be effected in the next couple of days as this flare up shows.
Planes fighting the fire apparently have been grounded due to the high winds but were to be deployed in the afternoon despite the conditions. I caught this one returning to base for reloading.

The Monument Fire- Sierra Vista Arizona 6/19/11

2011-06-19T05:13:00.000-07:00

We are preparing to travel to Sierra Vista this morning and according to the weather report winds will reach 50 miles per hour this afternoon. I feel extremely bad for those people who have lost their homes and I am also concerned about the effects on local wildlife. Here is a report on today's weather.

50 mph winds possible near Monument Fire Sunday

06/18/2011 06:42 PM

TUCSON - The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Cochise, Graham & Greenlee Counties. This will be in effect Sunday from 12 PM until 7 PM.

A Red Flag Warning will also be in effect Sunday, from 10 AM until 8 PM for all of southern Arizona.

News 4 Meteorologist Jeff Beamish predicts west-southwest winds up to 50 MPH Sunday near the Monument Fire. Gusty winds combined with low relative humidity & dry fuels will lead to an extreme fire danger.

For that reason, Sunday's Wildfire Index has been set at its highest level, which is a 10.

For a complete look at Jeff's True View 4 extended forecast, visit KVOA.com/weather.

I'm not sure what I will encounter today but whatever it is I will report it here tonight. I am hoping for the best but with winds this fierce I am concerned for the people in the area as well as the birds, animals, trees in and around San Pedro.

The Monument Fire- Sierra Vista Arizona 6/18/11

2011-06-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

I left the house this morning at 2:45 A.M. to head to Sierra Vista to check out the Monument Fire. I timed my journey so that I would arrive before daylight hoping that I could see areas where there were flames visible. With the winds calm and the temperatures around 72 degrees there was little apparent activity that I cold see as I headed south on route 90 towards Sierra Vista.

I was able to smell smoke before I spotted the flames on the side of the mountain near Ramsey Canyon. Traveling up and down multiple streets and highways I was unable to get into the evacuated areas due to manned road blocks and barricaded side streets.
These pictures are photos that I took at San Pedro Conservation Area and are included here to show just how much fuel is available and how dry it is here and in most areas of Southern Arizona. I can't remember when the last time we had a significant rain and everywhere I travel in Southern Arizona it is extremely dry.

It is easy to see how a ten foot high wall of flames more than a thousand feet wide driven by high winds could move at a high rate of speed across the desert destroying homes under these conditions.

While I was hiking in San Pedro I could see smoke from fires that had quieted down overnight but by 8 A.M. the winds were starting to pick up which means fire crews may once again have their hands full.
Fires that I could see were not very far from homes but access to the area was closed and I didn't see much evidence of smoke at lower elevations but I'm sure later in the day things heated up.
Route 92 South was closed as was Ramsey Road east. All side streets headed south off Ramsey were blockaded.
From my vantage point I was able to watch a steady stream of wildfire crews, sheriff's vehicles, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles entering the area.
There are some really good photographs of the fire at: www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/06/16/20110616arizona-fires-monument-sierra-vista-abrk16-ON.html
Due to large amounts of particulate in the air the sunrise was spectacular and I was happy to get a few good photos.

As the wind came up I could see that new areas were flaring up on the mountain and I was wondering if this area would soon be visited by one of the five helicopters fighting this enormous blaze.
Tomorrow I will return to Sierra Vista later in the day to see what the expected high winds do to the area.

Yellowstone's Failure to Protect Bison

2011-06-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone National Park has betrayed wild buffalo and the American people. Without giving public notice or seeking any input, Yellowstone National Park consigned fifty-three of America's last wild bison, captured during 2011, to the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) for a population control experiment. This move contradicts numerous public announcements from Yellowstone officials that all wild buffalo captured during 2011 would be released. USDA APHIS plans to use the buffalo to experiment with GonaCon, a chemical immunocontraceptive vaccine.

APHIS claims that they will need up to 100 buffalo for these sterilization experiments, and says that none of the buffalo will be returned to Yellowstone and many will be consigned to slaughter.

Once again Yellowstone National Park has failed to carry out it's duty to protect the wild buffalo herd from harm. These animals have endured what can only be described as extreme cruelty at the hands of the federal government and the State of Montana and it needs to stop before the entire herd vanishes from the landscape.

Please follow the link to The Buffalo Field Campaigns site to get the whole story and to be able to contact Yellowstone's superintendent to let him know that this is wrong and needs to stop immediately.

www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press1011/pressreleases1011/053111.html

Help me save the Yellowstone herd

Ray Goodwin

Sonoran Connection

Gray Hawks at Buenos Aries

2011-05-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

I can always count on some exciting encounters at Buenos Aries National Wildlife Refuge near Sasabe, Arizona which sits on the Mexican border in southern most Pima County. This visit produced Red Tailed Hawks, several Swainson's Hawks, a Black Hawk and many Turkey Vultures.

Baboquivari dominates the mountains to the west of Buenos Aries which also contain Kitt Peak, the world renowned observatory.

A couple of ducks inside an area that has been fenced off to keep bullfrogs out because they are larger than the native frogs and once introduced to an area they soon eradicate the rare leopard frogs that are native inhabitants.
The highlight of the day was a pair of nesting Gray Hawks that were forced to protect their nest from a marauding Raven while we looked on. The Raven is the larger of the two birds and it kept flying close to the nest which had young calling out in it.
The nest was placed perfectly in the tree so that it was impossible to get any more than a glimpse of it from the ground and we never saw the young birds at all.
Information on Gray Hawks can be found here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Hawk

Both the female and male Gray Hawks guarded the young when we were there and put on quite an aerial display. The Raven eventually gave up and went on it's way.

This time of year there are hundreds of vultures in the border areas sometimes they are the most common bird we see.

Help Protect Yellowstone Buffalo

2011-05-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Every day I read about some senseless attack on animals in the wild and I must admit that I am at a loss to explain the inhumane act itself or the kind of person that it takes to willingly participate. Acts of brutality against the Yellowstone bison herd have been going on non-stop for years, supposedly to protect the state of Montana from brucellosis which has never been transmitted from a buffalo to a cow. Not ever!

I am including the following press release from the Buffalo Field Campaign that speaks to the extreme cruelty that the Yellowstone National Park bison herd has to endure for no apparent reason. Check out how your tax dollars are being used to harass and haze innocent animals that are the symbol of our own U.S. Department of the Interior. Please donate to the Buffalo Field Campaign and help them report on the plight of these magnificent creatures that should and must be protected from those who would do them great harm.

www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press1011/pressreleases1011/050511.html

The Mighty Cottonwood Tree

2011-05-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

I spend quite a bit of time in riparian zones in the border area of Southern Arizona and the most impressive living things that I have encountered there are the Cottonwoods. I cannot resist photographing them sometimes over and over again because each time I visit they have a different face or a new inhabitant.

Their amazing size and longevity draws me to them each time I visit San Pedro National Conservation Area or the Arivaca Cienega where the water stays close to the surface and supplies the Cottonwoods with the hundreds of gallons needed on a hot, dry desert day.
Information on the cottonwood can be found here at www.pima.gov/cmo/sdcp/species/fsheets/key/cott.html

Usually growing to 50 feet tall cottonwoods can grow under the right conditions to 100 feet or more. These trees have a life expectancy of 100 year with some lasting more than 150 years.

Cottonwoods are a great indicator of the presence of water as they cannot survive for too many years without proper moisture.

Cottonwoods thrive at the Arivaca Cienega and along Arivaca Creek. They are home to many species of birds and are the best place to find Gray Hawks.

At the end of life this tree might be a victim of the water table dropping out of it's reach or just plain old age.

San Pedro River Riparian National Conservation Area

2011-05-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

Happy International Migratory Bird Day!

On March 18th we made our second visit to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near Sierra Vista. San Pedro is the first officially designated global important bird area in the United States. The San Pedro River winds it's way northward from Mexico and is the life blood of the beautiful cottonwoods that line it's banks as well as the millions of birds that pass through here each year.

The San Pedro House is the primary entry point to the preserves 56,000 acres and is located on route 90 south of Sierra Vista.
Located within the preserve are 100 species of breeding birds as well as 250 species of migrant and wintering birds. 40% 0f all nesting Gray Hawks in the United States are found at San Pedro. Each year approximately 4 million migrating birds pass through San Pedro.
On this trip we decided to head north from San Pedro House which is operated by the Friends of The San Pedro River. Information about the Friends of The San Pedro River can be found here: www.sanpedroriver.org/fsprhome.shtml
On our walk we encountered many of the birds that call San Pedro home but our primary focus was on photographing the trees and the river itself so that we may document the transformation over the year of both the river and the cottonwoods some of which are over 100 years old.
We hope to return once or twice a month through the year to photograph and hike this amazing place. Our next visit will focus on the life at the ponds within San Pedro and frankly I can't wait.
The next time we head to San Pedro these trees will be fully leafed out and will provide a beautiful soft green canopy.
A ribbon of cottonwoods flows northward just like the San Pedro. Here we see that the trees are beginning to shed there winter blahs and will soon provide much needed shade for both the river and it's inhabitants.

Each visit we have made to San Pedro we have been watched closely by this hawk that perches at San Pedro House.

Walk through the Trees at the University of Arizona

2011-04-24T05:12:00.000-07:00

I find walking among mature trees very comforting. There's something about a living being that is able to survive in single location rooted for years through all kinds of weather and subjected to all manner of adversity brought on by the presence of human beings.

As a photographer I can never resist trying to capture the significance, the beauty, the complex relationships of these majestic beings in our environment and in our lives. There is not a single day that goes by that I don't marvel at the reaching for the sunlight, the dependence on life sustaining nutrients being delivered to their precise location or the flowers and the leaves that come and go to assure another season of survival.
The Palo Verde here in Tucson is both a blessing and a curse for allot of us. The yellow flowers that arrive each April are so beautiful it's hard to imagine if you haven't seen them for yourself. Some of us unfortunately are victims of allergies but even so the desert would not be the same without these wonderful displays.
I have been meaning to come to the U of A campus for some time now to see for myself what it had to offer in the way of art and science. I am just beginning a 10 day vacation so I decided to take an early morning walk on campus which sits in the middle of downtown Tucson Arizona. Surprisingly there were very few people out and about when I arrived at 5:30 A.M. I actually expected more runners and bicyclists and walkers but for a while there were just a few of us.
One of the things on my bucket list is a visit to the Arizona State Museum and now that I have seen the outside I can't wait to get inside and see what it has to offer. Perhaps this week as I have no plans that are written in stone.
I didn't take time to identify the types of trees on the grounds but rather just enjoyed my stroll and sat on a few benches listening to the birds. There are some really beautiful buildings and some really utilitarian ones but all in all the campus is quite extraordinary. Signs were everywhere exclaiming the accomplishments of the university in the environment and in space and in all manner of interesting subjects. Sports is huge at U of A and there are lots of venues and monuments to the athleticism that thrives here.
The trunks of olive trees from distant lands are quite amazing and there are many examples around the campus to marvel at.
I was surprised and happy to see a monument to the accomplishments of women in Arizona.

Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees" has stayed with me since childhood.

Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918

Trees

I THINK that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

This is the "Moon Tree". A sycamore whose seeds traveled to the moon on Apollo 14. Read about Moon Trees at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/moon_tree.html The moon tree at the university was planted in 1976 on April 30th which happens to be my birthday.

There were a couple of left over displays from Earth Day and I really liked this one. If you do the math that's 367,920 plastic bottles on one university campus! I wonder how many actually get recycled!

Bighorn, Pronghorn and Ironwood in Arizona

2011-04-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

I have a 10 day vacation coming up at the end of this month and I have decided to use the time making visits to Ironwood Forest National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Cabeza and Organ Pipe are about 125 miles from our home near Saguaro National Park West and Ironwood is a short 30 miles from here. I am hoping to get some pictures of Bighorn, Pronghorn, Ironwood Trees and lots more. Stay tuned to Sonoran Connection to see photos from these remote areas. Vacation starts on April 22nd.

Just a note to let you know that I got sick at the beginning of my vacation and almost none of my plan came to fruition. I have not given up on these visits and hope to try again this fall after I return from my trip to New England.

Burrowing Owl in the Morning

2011-04-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

We originally set out at 4:30 A.M. to see if we could locate wild horses near Casa Grande Arizona. Long story short we didn't see any horses but the sunrise was quite beautiful and held a few surprises for us.

After taking a left when we should have gone right we found ourselves deep in farm country which was quite nice at that time of day. At one point we spotted this little guy sitting beside the road. I have only seen Burrowing Owls a couple of times so I was very happy to have a chance to get a couple of pictures. I expected to get a couple of distant shots and was surprised that this bird was not giving up any ground. At one point it flew to a nearby post and showed it's annoyance with me by bobbing up and down and scolding me but did not offer to fly away.
Burrowing Owls, so named because they live in burrows in the ground, have disappeared in much of their historic range and you can learn more about the Burrowing Owl at: www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/burrowing_owl.php

Fantastic Journey Photography

2011-03-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

This photo will be the front page of my new website which will showcase my photography and serve as a means to sell my images directly to the public. Fantastic Journey Photography will officially open for business in April and will feature landscape, nature, portrait, fashion, and commercial projects. I can be contacted at rpg@thefantasticjourney.com.

It's a Super Moon

2011-03-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken on March 18th in Tucson Mountain Park in Tucson Arizona.

Wa:k Pow Wow-Tucson Arizona

2011-03-19T05:03:00.000-07:00

We headed out to the Wa;k Pow Wow at the San Xavier Mission hosted by the Tohono O'odham Nation. We came early as we had never been to a Pow Wow and really didn't know what to expect.
The Wa:k Pow Wow is an intertribal dance contest that is put on annually to raise funds for the San Xavier community.
We were only able to stay through the opening ceremonies because by then we had all the sun that we could stand. We will know enough next year to go later in the day so that we can see the dance contest.
I hope you enjoy the photos and find the native dress as beautiful and amazingly ornate as I did.

Tucson Supports Wisconsin Workers

2011-02-27T09:30:00.001-08:00

I decided to skip my usual Saturday nature walk and head over to the rally in support of the workers in Wisconsin and across the country. It's sad but not surprising that republicans who ran on an agenda promising smaller government and jobs instead have decided to use government to strip the people of their rights and to pursue a social agenda that can best be described as repressive to the extreme.

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On short notice a crowd of more than 1,500 people showed up to voice there support for Wisconsin workers rights and to express outrage toward the union busting agenda that is targeting teachers, nurses, firefighters, police, women and ultimately all middle class workers.
The signs speak for themselves! The people will be heard.

I was surprised by the age of the crowd and the constant honking of horns in support of the protesters at this busy intersection.
I'm glad I went and was a part of this because I believe that this is the beginning of the rise of the middle class not the end of the American dream. I firmly believe that it's time for the upper class to pay their fair share and that corporations need to ante up and stop free loading on the backs of our middle class workers.
As a side note I fail to see how putting more people out of work is going to solve the financial problems in this country. People need to work in order to by the goods and services that will return our economy to health.
Failing to collect taxes from the wealthy and corporations and then stripping the middle class of their future is immoral. It's un-American and it's not good for the country.
The current agenda is designed to enslave women, children, the elderly and all workers by making sure that they have no right to health care, no right to collective bargaining, no right to retire at a reasonable age and with a reasonable pension, and no social safety net what so ever.
It's good to see folks, ordinary folks speak out for their rights.

Whitewater Draw-Morning with the Sandhill Cranes

2011-02-13T03:49:00.000-08:00

It might seem unusual for this post to start off with a picture of a large flock of Snow Geese but as we arrived in the parking lot these graceful flyers were in the air and in a very short time would be mingled with the in-coming Sandhills as they returned from feeding in the grain fields. With so many birds in the air at one time you would think that they would be colliding all over the place. It just doesn't happen and they manage to sweep and turn in unison or completely randomly without running into each other.
Once again our visit was timed perfectly and we arrived just at the beginning of the Sandhill Cranes returning to roost for the afternoon. They came sometimes by the hundreds and sometimes by the thousands and occasionally a few at a time. Their numbers were impressive but I did not try to count this trip as I just wanted to enjoy what is perhaps my last visit with the cranes this season. By the end of March they will have left for their summer breeding grounds and other important birds will take their place either to spend the summer or just passing through.
There were more visitors than we had encountered in our many visits to Whitewater this year but the cranes seemed oblivious to our presence. The way that the preserve is set up keeps most people on raised paths away from the birds. It is an arrangement that seems to work pretty well for both the birds and the watchers.
This trip had one major surprise in that the returning birds landed mostly in the first pool which put them in closer proximity to the people than you usually see at Whitewater. It was by all accounts a spectacular display and all of the people that I talked to were new to Sandhill watching and quizzed me once they realized that I knew a little about the birds behavior.
It has been a privilege for me to be able to observe the cranes on so many occasions this season and as a novice myself I did manage to learn a few things about their behavior.

The Snow Geese and the Sandhill Cranes seem very compatible even in flight and I frequently observed them together overhead twisting and turning before settling down to earth.

Snow Geese and a few Sandhills.
Sandhills.

I hope that all of you have enjoyed the Sandhill series as much as I have enjoyed doing it. It's time for me to choose a new project to share here at Sonoran Connection and I hope that you will come back from time to time and see what adventures lie ahead.
This lone Sandhill Crane challenged all that I know about their social behavior. It landed in a pool separated from all the other cranes. For the most part cranes stay together for their protection from predators and this is the one time all season that I saw one on the ground by itself. On occasion I have seen single birds in the air but never until now on the ground.

Listen to the calling of the Sandhill Cranes below.

Birds, Birds, Birds Tucson Arizona

2011-01-23T05:21:00.000-08:00

Today was a day to walk and enjoy the weather and practice my photography skills on the sometimes elusive and always challenging birds of Sweetwater. It's as if Sweetwater was designed for practicing both your photography and your birding skills. There's always plenty to see including an occasional rare visitor or two. There are several observation platforms that hug the waters edge throughout the wildlife viewing area similar to the one pictured above.
Sweetwater is an urban wildlife area, a water treatment plant and an outdoor classroom in the middle of Tucson Arizona. cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater

There are many retention ponds which always have a variety of ducks with the most prevalent being the Northern Shoveler this time of year.

There always seem to be quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers present near the bridge. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/yellow-rumped_warbler/id
Black Phoebes are common here. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/black_phoebe/id
Verdins are always fun to photograph as they never sit still for more than a couple of seconds at a time. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Verdin/id
I have seen the Orange Crowned Warbler on my last few visits. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/orange-crowned_warbler/id
As I said there are rare visitors on occasion and we were treated to this Female Black and White Warbler that was in the company of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/lifehistory

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/black-throated_gray_warbler/id
This is one of the resident Harris's Hawks that made several rounds while we were there.

www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/hawks/harrishk.html
Juvenile Northern Shoveler.
Adult male Northern Shoveler. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/id
Mallard. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/mallard/id
Just being cute I guess!
American Widgeons are numerous here also. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Wigeon

Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Preserve

2011-01-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

It's another beautiful day here in Southern Arizona with temperatures projected to be in the 70's. We decided to head up into the Santa Rita's to visit the Nature Conservancy's Sonoita Creek Preserve located in Patagonia. The views along the way are amazing even this time of year when most of the landscape is dressed in various shades of brown and tan.

After living here in the desert southwest for five years and traveling around to different wildlife areas I have come to the realization that it is all about the availability or lack of water. The abundance of plant and animal life depends either on the presence of water or the ability to adapt to the lack of it. In the riparian areas that I visit the abundance and diversity of plants and animals is truly amazing. In the desert scrub and the more arid areas plants and animals have adapted to needing less water to thrive.

The survival of man here is also dependent on a sometimes hard to find commodity and the evidence of wells operated by wind power are scattered across the landscape. As you can see this Red Tailed Hawk has adapted to it's metal perch which has a commanding view of the surrounding grasslands.

When we arrived there were many birds visiting the feeders at the visitors center including an Anna's Hummingbird, purple finches, goldfinches, and white breasted nuthatches and many sparrows that went unidentified as we were anxious to hit the trails.

One of the most impressive things on our visits to Southern Arizona Riparian areas is the majestic Cottonwoods. Some of these trees are massive in size and I can only guess at their age but they must be very old indeed as evidenced by the specimens that have long since crashed to the ground. In either the upright or prone positions they provide lodging and cover for many creatures.

The creek was flowing gently but steadily along and the water looked quite clear. I have to admit I am curious about the origins of this particular creek as in allot of ways it seems oddly out of place. For those of you who are not familiar with the weather here our rainy seasons are summer and winter. Winter rains can be infrequent and are generally more gentle while summer rains are usually more violent and produce large amounts of water in a short period of time. It is not unusual for it to rain heavily in one part of Tucson while being sunny and hot in another. I have driven down the road with thunder and lightning on my left and bright sunshine on my right.

Fact: Sonoita Creek has about 5 miles of perennial flow the first 2 of which are located on the preserve.The Creek's watershed covers approximately 200 square miles.

The Railroad: The railroad trail supported tracks for a line that ran from Benson,Az. to Guaymas Mexico.
There are several trails that loop around the preserve that I would characterize as easy walks suitable for anyone except wheelchair bound individuals. The Railroad Trail travels along where a bygone train used to pass through Patagonia.

The Creek Trail is equally easy but because of it's proximity to the water we saw quite a bit more wildlife activity here.

We spotted five different Mule Deer during our visit including this buck that was the most skittish of the two groups. The shot below is of one of two adolescents that were traveling along the creek with their mother. The two of them still retained some of the colors you would expect to see in a very young animal.

Read about Mule Deer at www.desertusa.com/feb97/du_muledeer.html

The more time I spend in the wild places the less I seem to worry the creatures that I encounter there. These Mule Deer knew that I was there and walked right out of their cover in the woods and crossed in plain view only a hundred feet from me. At one point when the two adolescents were crossing in front of us they stopped and one of them stamped and grunted at us.

I had a similar experience with a roadrunner just last week when it crossed my path within three feet of me totally ignoring the fact that I was there.

We saw quite a few hawks on this trip including this Red Tailed Hawk hunting along the creek. 22 different species of raptors have been seen in the preserve. Several pairs of Gray Hawks nest at the preserve.

There were Goldfinches,Purple Finches,White-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black Phoebes, White-crowned Sparrows, Bridled Titmice and many more who scooted away before positive ID could be made. All in all not too shabby.

We were treated to this sleepy Screech Owl who didn't even acknowledge our presence near his house. For those of you who have never visited Patagonia/Sonoita area it is well worth the trip. On several occasions we have seen Pronghorn Antelope during our trip. Information on the Western Screech Owl can be found at:

www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Megascops&species=kennicottii

Catalina State Park Tucson Arizona

2011-01-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

We arrived at Catalina State Park which is located just north of Tucson at around 10 A.M. on Saturday morning. There are always people there but it is not crowded due to the number and length of the different trails. As you can see it was a beautiful sunny Arizona day which lately have been few and far between. We chose the Nature Trail because it is an easy looping trail that has some great views and we had not hiked this particular section of the park yet.

The trail turned out to be a really easy walk that would be suitable for young families or the elderly and we enjoyed a slow hike around stopping many times to enjoy the magnificent mountain views.

We came across this Roadrunner which is usually very quick to exit when humans are around but this one seemed not to mind our presence although it did keep a pretty good eye on us. When a couple of runners came by it scooted across my feet and disappeared into the desert. Read more about the Greater Roadrunner here: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater_Roadrunner/id

Roadrunners are a classic example of camouflage in nature. If it weren't for it's quick movements as it searches for food you would probably not even notice it.

We headed out the Sutherland Trail which runs along the wash and has a few more birds including Rock Wren, Gila Woodpecker, White Crowned Sparrows, Ruby crowned Kinglets, Aberts Towhee as well as a Stricklands Woodpecker and Chihuahuan Raven.

Catalina has some truly magnificent examples of Saguaro Cactus and it is a very unique experience to walk through a Saguaro forest.

When most folks think of the desert they think of a lack of water and although water is scarce as you can see it is not non existent. This stream is running due to snow melt run off from the Catalina's which still has snow caps from recent snow storms.

Parts of the wash are dry indicating that at times there is lots more water running off the Catalina's perhaps during the summer monsoons which can be quite heavy at times.

Part way up the trail there is a set of stairs that lift you to a second plateau. This is as far as we went on this trip but there is plenty more trail ahead. Perhaps another day.

This is a picture of Nan doing a little bird watching that I included so you can get an idea of the size of the Saguaro. Pretty impressive up close as this one reaches about 25 feet tall.

A relatively new Saguaro which frequently get their start in the shade of other plants which allows them time to get accustomed to the intense sunlight here in Southern Arizona.

I included this photo because I have noticed that coyotes almost always do their business in the road or on a path or on a rock. I don't think I have every seen actually seen any in the sand. I assume it's because so many plants are thorny and it's just plain safer!

Just a note to express our sadness at the shooting of Congresswomen Gabriel Giffords here in Tucson and all of the other victims as we hiked the park yesterday. This kind of violence against our government and the people of the United States has no place in a free society. Our hearts go out to the families of those who perished and also to those families whose loved ones were senselessly harmed. We wish the injured a speedy recovery and will keep them in our thoughts.

Sandhill Crane Watch Whitewater Draw 1/1/11

2011-01-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

We decided to head down Rt. 191 through Elfrida and on to Whitewater Draw Conservation Area and as it turned out we were glad we did. As we traveled through Elfrida I noticed a large black cloud on the horizon which seemed to be undulating. Upon further inspection it was clear we had hit the jackpot. Thousands of Sandhill Cranes were on the move.
Everywhere we looked there were Sandhills flying in all different directions. As it turned out most of the cranes were feeding in a field along 191 or headed back to Whitewater Draw where they roost when not in the fields feeding on the local agricultural abundance that lures them here each year.
This is my second trip in January to see the Sandhills. The first was last year to the Willcox Arizona playa. We are seeing amazing numbers of cranes compared to last year's trip.
The above shot shows the cranes flying in different directions at different altitudes.
The skies were awash with thousands of Sandhills in what has to be the highlight of my visits to see them here in southern Arizona.
Temperatures were in the upper 20's ranging into the 30's for most of the day and there was a smattering of snow on the ground and the peaks in the distance were snow capped. It was really a nice day with a light breeze near the water that kept us bundled up all day.
When we arrived at the Draw the show was as spectacular as any I have seen there. The sky was full of returning cranes and surprisingly hundreds of Snow Geese. It made for a very colorful display with the constant calling of the cranes both on the ground and in the air. We were also treated to the calling of the Snow Geese in the midst of all of the crane talk.

Snow Geese in flight.

There was considerably more water in the ponds this trip than there has been on other visits this year.
I estimate the number of Sandhills at more than 30,000 on this trip but there was really no accurate way to count. It could have been even more. All through the day it was evident how social these birds are and how few disputes there are for the number of individuals that gather either to roost or feed in the fields.
The cranes expanded the amount of land that they were using and gradually inched closer to our location as the day when on. It was clear they were becoming accustomed to people with cameras and binoculars.
There were many Northern Shovelers present and they were very entertaining scooting along the ice upon landing and parading in open water.

As the day wore on the cranes settled down and the skies became empty of all but a few stragglers that flew in occasionally from parts unknown.
The Sandhill cranes were happy to leisurely stroll up and down looking for small morsels.

One of the few flare ups that we witnessed took place in a group that had broken off from the main flock. It was unclear what caused the disagreement but like all Sandhill arguments it didn't last long and they went back to relaxing immediately after.

Mt Lemmon Sky Center-Total Lunar Eclipse/Winter Solstice

2010-12-26T05:38:00.000-08:00

Our journey up the mountain begin with participants gathering at the Babad Do'ag trailhead which is the first overlook as you head up the highway towards Mt. Lemmon. We were met by Adam Block who would be our guide and teacher for the program put on by the Mt Lemmon Sky Center. skycenter.arizona.edu/ Our mission was to ascend to the Sky Center stopping first to see the sun set directly behind Kitt Peak from a vantage point near mile nine on the the highway. Kitt Peak is another renowned southern Arizona observatory located about 35 miles from Tucson to the west. I have visited Kitt Peak a number of times and there are a couple of blog posts in the archives on this site that may be of interest to you.

Twenty-five participants with various telescopes, binoculars, cameras and tripods set up along side the road in hopes of viewing this unique sunset behind Kitt Peak that happens for only a few days each year in this spot. It looked promising for a while but clouds were moving though the Tucson area and as luck would have it the clouds prevented us from seeing the sunset at the precise moment we had prepared for.
As you can see from this picture the sky was quite clear behind us but clouds were the order of the day as we looked toward Kitt Peak which is the flat mountain top to the left in the shot below.

Even though we missed the sunset we had hoped for it was still quite beautiful and nobody was too upset. We headed up the mountain in a caravan until we reached the ski area near the top of Mt. Lemmon. The wind was blowing quite hard and it was apparent we were in for some chilling hours ahead as allot of the program was to be held out of doors. At this point we all loaded into a Sky Center bus with chains to travel the last couple of miles to the education center over snow covered road.

Once at the education center Adam used his computer to see what we could expect for clouds here in the Tucson area. The news was not all that promising for an unobstructed view of the eclipse but it looked as if anything could happen and that meant there was hope that we would have a chance to see this once in a lifetime event.

At around 7 Pm MST, with several hours to go before the eclipse was to begin Adam set out to help us understand the vastness of our universe and our galaxy and other galaxies beyond and to understand the distances in light years that separate us from our nearest known neighbors. It was truly fascinating and Adam's command of the material was evident throughout the presentation. It was also apparent that he loved his avocation and was rightfully proud of his accomplishments in his field. No question went un-answered and it was clear that there was a great deal to be learned from this man on this special night.

We made several trips from the education center to the Schulman 32" Telescope that Adam and the Sky Center use to do their work. At this point I'd like to provide a link to what it is that Adam actually does and some of the remarkable things that he has accomplished. You can read about Adam here: www.sbig.com/award/Block/Block.htm
The Schulman Telescope is an amazing piece of equipment and even though conditions for it's use were less than ideal we were able to open up the observatory and take turns looking at Jupiter and three of it's moons as well as a binary star. These are worlds that most people will never have the chance to see and I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to view them in this manner.
This was only my third outing with my new camera and my first taking pictures in these light conditions so as you can imagine I'm not totally happy with the results especially the shots of the eclipse which were either over exposed or under exposed. I am however happy with the overall experience (even the cold) because seeing new things and being new places is what drives me and if I get a few good pictures along the way to share that's great.
Everyone had multiple chances to use the telescope. At one point Adam showed us a program that he had developed that showed the projected orbits of two stars, three stars, and many stars. It was very helpful in understanding that stars don't follow the same orbital path over millions of years.

The clouds were fairly heavy most of the night and this picture looks allot like what we were seeing with the naked eye. The moon had a bright corona and clouds streaming past at a rapid rate.
photomas.net/pmaspages/appblock.htm

We took a short visit to the 60 inch telescope used by researchers to find asteroids and objects that could possibly impact the earth in the future. This telescope is responsible for finding the most near earth objects of any in the world. Quite an accomplishment. www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/40th-anniversary/Saving-the-World-From-Asteroids.html
Just before the eclipse was too begin something amazing and unexpected happened. The clouds disappeared and the moon shone brightly.
I took a few shots but frankly was more interested in watching the eclipse and also watching Adam use his telescope mounted camera to photograph the eclipse. You can see one of Adams photos here as well as others taken elsewhere. bb.nightskylive.net/asterisk/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22361
I highly recommend a trip to the Mt Lemmon Sky Center and want to thank Adam Block for sharing his interest with those of us that just want to know a little bit about what's out there.

Winter Solstice/Total Eclipse of the Moon

2010-12-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

We will be headed out to Mt. Lemmon Arizona tomorrow afternoon to participate in the Sky Center's Winter Solstice/ Total Eclipse of the Moon program. The program lasts through the night and includes use of the Sky Center's 32 inch Shulman Telescope.

The program takes place mostly outdoors atop Mt Lemmon which is sure to be a challenge for us as we are used to the warmth of the valley which rarely dips below freezing. Information on the upcoming eclipse can be found here at: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2010.html

I of course will bring my camera and attempt to get some interesting shots to share on this blog in the very near future.

Prairie Falcon

2010-12-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

Facts about the Prairie Falcon can be found at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prairie_Falcon/lifehistory

Whitewater Draw Sandhill Crane Visit

2010-12-04T05:00:00.001-08:00

I traveled to Whitewater Draw near McNeil Arizona to see what was up with the Sandhill Cranes that migrate here each year. This was my fourth trip to the area this year with each one filled with Sandhill sightings. Just as I arrived a small plane circled low over the roosting area and a large number of the birds took flight and headed towards Willcox. For the next hour and a half the birds continued to head off to feed in the fields or perhaps to Apache Station. The numbers dwindled until there were no cranes visible from my location. As soon as the last cranes had flown away others began to return which was around 10:30 A.M.. There were allot more people here on this trip, as many as ten cars including one large group of about 10 people. Usually it's very quiet with little if any other activity.
As the birds returned most of them joined the large group but there were a few that landed in the first pool which I find interesting as cranes find comfort in numbers and usually stay together for safety. Fortunately this pool is closer and allows for a more up close view of the birds.

As time when on the Sandhills returned in flocks of varying size from a few birds to one that I estimate contained a thousand or more. As I have discussed before the cranes fly in formations that are not as defined as geese but they do seem to have a coordinated plan and larger flocks tend to break into smaller groups as they approach landing. There are times in flight that the formations disappear into momentary chaos but the birds reassemble and continue without much trouble.
While I was there the smaller flock roosting in the first pool grew to several dozen birds, a few at a time. Just before I left for the drive back to Tucson about half of the birds suddenly flew up and joined the larger group.

I have been listening closely to the vocalizations of the cranes which go from a quiet low guttural sound to a more boisterous vocalization when an individual thinks their space has been violated, to the calling that takes place between groups on the ground and flying birds. They have quite a range of communication skills.

Mexican Gray Wolf- canis lupus bailyi

2010-11-26T05:12:00.000-08:00

Smaller than the wolves that now roam in Yellowstone the Mexican Gray Wolf has a wild population of only 50 individuals in Arizona and New Mexico. Hunted to near extinction throughout the southwest the Mexican Gray Wolf was finally listed as an endangered species 33 years ago. Efforts at reintroduction have not been wildly successful due to a number of factors including the efforts of some grazing interests and ranchers whose narrow self interests have resulted in the deaths of wolves that have taken livestock on public land.

Unfortunately there are those in our society who refuse to see the greater good that comes from the reintroduction of large predators into an ecosystem as has been successfully demonstrated in Yellowstone National Park and other areas of the country. Wolves help to return an ecosystem to it's more natural state by returning the balance to the food chain. Deer and elk populations are controlled naturally, native plant populations recover, erosion is abated. The benefits go on and on but so do the wolf haters.

Where wolves once roamed on public lands there should be no question that they should be allowed to re-establish and make a come back. The question should be why do we allow ranchers and grazing interests to dictate what happens on our public lands. If ranchers want the use of public lands then they need to become stewards of the land and participate in keeping these lands healthy and natural and that means finding a way to live with wolves.

When I read about the Yellowstone Wolves, or Wolves in Arizona and New Mexico or Idaho or Wyoming there is a constant theme that runs though every narrative and that narrative is that these magnificent animals must be destroyed to protect livestock. This issue has caused me to refrain from eating beef altogether, to send financial support when I can and to speak out against those who would drive another species to extinction for personal gain. This is especially disturbing on public lands, lands that belong to you and me.

Some in America have over the past two centuries attempted to eradicate large predators from the landscape out of fear and ignorance. Unfortunately that fear and ignorance is alive and well today in many areas of the country and efforts to eradicate wolves continue even in populations as small and fragile as the Mexican Gray Wolf.

As is the case with most wildlife issues there are dedicated individuals and groups fighting to keep endangered species across the spectrum alive and well. It is these individuals and groups who are the front lines in the efforts to save wolves and many other endangered species from extinction. You. however, are the last line of defense in the ongoing effort to save some of the most significant creatures to walk or fly above the earth today. When you stand up and let yourself be heard in support of Wolves or Bison or California Condors then there is hope. When you make donations to these worthy causes you take a major step towards survival of a species. Don't for a minute think that it's taken care of because every program, every effort depends on the voice and generosity that comes from the everyday man or woman who just wants to help. You can make a huge difference in the efforts of the following organizations whose mission is to save our planet. Won't you please consider helping one of these amazing organizations today?

www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/content/extinction

www.peregrinefund.org/default.as

www.defenders.org

www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

www.mexicanwolves.org/

www.wolfhaven.org/index.php

Here is a list of Endangered Species so you can see how much work is being done and how much needs to be done. eelink.net/EndSpp.old.bak/ES.lists.html

Orange Crowned Warbler

2010-11-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

We went to Sweetwater Wetlands Thanksgiving morning to do a little bird watching and take a few photos. This was one of several Orange Crowned Warblers that were hanging out at the stream near the footbridge. Check out the Orange Crowned Warbler at: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Orange-crowned_Warbler/id

Sandhill Crane Watch Willcox Arizona 11/26/10

2010-11-21T04:25:00.000-08:00

On our way to check up on the Sandhill Cranes we decided to stop at the Cochise Lakes which are actually reclaimed water ponds that the City of Willcox uses to water it's public golf course. I always chuckle at what passes for a lake in these parts but non the less it's always nice to be near water, any water and we had heard that this was an exceptional place to see birds.
As you will see in the these photos the wind was blowing hard and steadily and kicking up dust from the playa which is the dry lake bed that we usually hike when we come here. We decided that under these conditions we should skip walking out onto the lake bed and instead head to Kansas Settlement Road after hiking around the pond to see what wildlife this place has to offer.

Shovelers and Widgeons in the hundreds and about a dozen or so Kildeers, Horned Larks and meadow larks as well as many sparrows which were very difficult to spot until they flew away because of all the movement of the grasses from the high winds. We also saw two Northern Harriers which seem to be everywhere we go in the southern tier of Arizona along the border.
There are two blinds that have been built on the shore and the walk around the pond was longer than it looked at the beginning but even with the wind it was very pleasant.

As we headed to Kansas Settlement Road to check out the farms the wind continued to blow and sometimes blocked out the sun. Dust storms are not uncommon here in Arizona but it is unusual to have them last all day long.
We searched the farms along Kansas Settlement Road and saw no evidence of Sandhill's anywhere. Not a single crane was seen flying or feeding, they just weren't in this area. We speculated that perhaps the high winds had keep them on the ground at their roosting spots but it was unclear where they actually were.
There were lots of other birds along the road including hundreds of sparrows,black birds and dozens of hawks. Our last hope to see Sandhill Cranes was Apache Station which is owned by the local utility that has provided a viewing area that is open weekends. We headed over there and finally found what we were looking for!
Between the dust, the wind, the distance and not being very familiar with my new Canon 7D camera getting good shots was a challenge but it surely was worth trying. There were thousands of Sandhill's visible and they all seemed to be eating and riding out the wind storm. There were also untold thousands of birds that were not visible except for further up to our left as we could occasionally hear them calling.
There were a couple of Snow Geese, A couple of hawks and at least one kildeer mixed in with the Cranes and thousands of blackbirds putting on an absolutely exquisite aerial display.

Most but not all of the Blackbirds were Yellow Headed Blackbirds

We had pretty much concluded that the cranes had settled in for the night when a few birds rose up and headed in the direction of the farms or Whitewater Draw beyond. This was the beginning of an absolutely spectacular hour or more of Sandhill Cranes taking flight in various sized groups.
At first they all pretty much headed in the same direction. As time went on more and more birds took to the skies and they were now headed in multiple directions. It was quite an amazing sight to see and we stayed until the sun had set and the full moon was high in the sky.

Information on Sandhill Cranes can be found in the following places: www.savingcranes.org/sandhill-crane.html

www.wingsoverwillcox.com/images/PDF/Watching_Sandhill_Cranes.pdf

Leopard Frog

2010-11-19T17:49:00.001-08:00

We visited the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to try out the new camera and this is one of my favorite pictures of the day. You can read about the desert Museum and Leopard frogs here: www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_leopard_frog.php

We are headed to Willcox Arizona tomorrow to check out the Sandhill Cranes and hopefully get a few good pictures.

Ramsey Canyon Preserve -Sierra Vista Arizona

2010-11-14T03:14:00.000-08:00

We set out from the Nature Conservancy's visitor center at a little after 9 A.M. at a cool 43 degrees to hike the trail to the Overlook which winds along Ramsey Creek. After a while it turns upward and away from the stream and traverses through a series of switchbacks of varying difficulty.
As we walked along the easier lower section of the trail I could imagine a brisk autumn walk somewhere in the eastern part of the United States. There were sycamores and maples lining the path that were in various stages of fall attire that once again almost made me forget that we were in the desert.
The Nature Conservancy is a private non-profit conservation organization that preserves plants, animals, and natural communities by protecting the lands and waters that they need to survive. Here in Southeastern Arizona they manage the Ramsey Canyon Preserve as well as the Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Preserve and other properties owned by the conservancy. www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/arizona/preserves/
This was my first outing using my new Canon 7D camera and I am still trying to learn it's in's and out's but I think once I get the hang of it I'm going to like the results just fine. It is substantially heavier that my old camera which almost seems like a toy now. However I got some great shots with that camera and I will keep it for use as a backup.
We didn't see much for wildlife on our journey up the trail in fact it was eerily quiet at times. I had hoped to see the wild turkey's and the magnificent and blue-throated hummingbirds that winter here but it was not to be on this day . identify.whatbird.com/obj/219/overview/Blue-throated_Hummingbird.aspx We did see Acorn woodpeckers, kinglets, mexican jay's, Coues Deer which are a smaller version of white tailed deer and evidence of bears along the trail.
The view from the Overlook were quite spectacular and definitely worth the climb. While it was only an elevation change of 700 feet from 5,500 feet at the visitor's center to 6,200 ft above sea level at the Overlook we were on the trail for a little over 3 hours which included taking advantage of the two loop trails which were very nice. The trails do lead past the Overlook to other trails but we only walked about a quarter mile past and then headed down the mountain.
On the way down we tok a break and could hear Mexican Jays calling in the distance so we decided to use our Droid I-Bird Application to see if we could call them in closer. Sure enough after a few calls from the Droid the Mexican Jays swarmed our location.
On the Bledsoe Loop we stopped at the frog ponds even though there was little chance that we would see the Chiracahua Leopard Frogs because it was still quite cool in the canyon. Chiracahua Leopard Frogs are an endangered species that can be found only in a few places here in S. Arizona.

There are several cabins of varying size and age in the canyon that for the most part are in disrepair and left to the animals to inhabit. It was illuminating to see them and the locations that were chosen to build on, mostly because of the views or proximity to the stream.
Views of the canyon walls and the magnificent trees were the highlight of the day especially the sycamores including the Arizona Sycamore just before the Bledsoe Loop that is 250 years old.

This is one of the cabins on the Grand View Loop that is home to resident creatures. I must say they have a great view from the veranda!

Mt. Lemmon on a Clear Day

2010-11-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

We began our trip to Mt Lemmon with the idea that we would do a little bird watching and get some foliage pictures for this blog. As it turned out there was very little bird activity and the foliage was past peak and allot of the leaves had already been shed due to a couple of days of strong winds here in the Tucson area.
That being the case it was a beautiful day in the upper 80's at the base of the mountain where it is classic Sonoran Desert and in the upper 50's at the top of the mountain where mixed conifer forest and high elevation riparian areas are prevalent.

On the way to the top of the mountain you pass through oak woodlands and ponderosa pine forest as well. The 25 mile journey is biologically comparable to the traveling from Mexico to the Canadian border.
Not only is the change in vegetation remarkable but the views are incredible. Everywhere you look there is an amazing vista or an incredible peak.

While the foliage was on the weak side it was still quite enjoyable for this former New England boy to be among deciduous trees with a splash of color.

Most of the color that was still around was on the Quaking Aspens which in full color are very impressive trees.

At the top of the mountain above 10,000 feet above sea level is the Steward Observatory and the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center that offers unique experiences in astronomy and nature. SkyCenter.arizona.edu I have purchased two tickets to the Total Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice Event at the Sky Center on December 21st 2010 as a Christmas present to myself and Nancy.

Conservation Wins in Arizona

2010-11-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

The anti-wildlife, anti-voter Prop 109 was defeated. This awful ballot initiative would have opened the door to extreme wildlife killing methods, put special interests ahead of sound wildlife management and diminished the ability of Arizona voters to protect wildlife in the state.
Proposition 301, a misguided attempt by conservative state legislators to raid State Land Conservation Funds was resoundingly defeated (75% to 25%) showing that, even in difficult economic times, voters choose conservation.
In state Congressional elections, it appears likely that stalwart conservation champion Raul Grijalva will weather a tough challenge to win re-election and continue fighting for wildlife in Arizona and beyond. Congressman Ed Pastor, a longtime friend of Defenders and wildlife conservation overwhelmingly won re-election. And, though not yet official, it looks like Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a stalwart champion of renewable energy, will also prevail.

Thanks to conservation minded voters who turned back initiatives that would have devastated wildlife in Arizona. The diversity and abundance of Arizona wildlife amazes me everyday. I can't express how much I appreciate that the people of Arizona have spoken out in favor of keeping the state a haven for wildlife.

Thank you for supporting the future of conservation in Arizona.

Ray Goodwin

Sonoran Connection

Sandhill Crane Watch Whitewater Draw Arizona

2010-10-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Whitewater Draw Conservation Area at 2:30 P.M. on Friday October 29th. As we were getting our gear together we could see that the number of cranes had increased substantially since our visit two weeks ago when we counted 1,800 cranes. It was sunny, around 87 degrees with an intermittent breeze and very dry. This picture is of the first pool which did not have any cranes on our two previous visits. As you can see there were hundreds of birds here this time, coming and going on a regular basis.
Sandhills in flight can be both graceful and at other times awkward. I have however never witnessed a collision between two birds. This was the first time I had seen a smaller group separated from the main much larger group. They tend to stick together for protection and socialization when they are on the ground. We did witness many singular birds in flight moving from one group to the other as well as small groups of birds doing the same.
Sandhills have several different vocalizations which include contact calls, unison calls, and guard calls. You can hear these calls at: www.savingcranes.org/sandhill-crane.html . At times they were very quiet and at other times they all seemed to be talking at the same time. Birds in flight make the contact call as they prepare to land in a group that is already on the ground.
The cranes in the first pool were as close as we could get as we are always as careful as possible not to disturb them just to get a better picture. Photographing wildlife should always be done with the well being of the subject coming before" getting the shot".
This is a small portion of the larger group which I estimated at between 10,000 and 15, 000 birds! Because the birds instinctively roost as far away from where humans are likely to be it was impossible to get close up shots that really showed the vast numbers of birds that we saw through the binoculars. Hopefully you can get a sense of how many cranes were present from the photographs.
Sandhill Cranes in flight preparing to land among the smaller group. The coming and going from this group went on the entire time we were there with most of the group eventually joining the larger grouping towards dusk.

Cranes feed on on a wide variety of plants and grains as well as small rodents and snakes. The agricultural nature of the area brings these birds here where they feed in the corn fields which we have yet to visit this year.
Truly an amazing sight to see especially when large numbers of them take to the skies at the same time. We have also yet to visit the playa at Willcox Arizona this year but will make our next trip to see cranes to this area where the numbers can be even greater. A playa is a large dry lake bed which is best hiked in cooler weather as there is absolutely no shade to be found.
Our next trip out will be in two weeks. Next week we are planning to head up Mt. Lemmon to see the foliage and take the ski lift to 10,000+ feet above sea level. Spectacular views and crisp air.

The Grasslands- Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

2010-10-24T06:16:00.001-07:00

I can't say enough about the beauty and serenity that can be found at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge near Sasabe Arizona. We headed out to the Grasslands Fair at BANWR early on Saturday so we could do a little bird watching and get in some exercise at the same time.
It was a gorgeous day in the 60's with bright sunshine. BANWR is home to quite a few endangered species including the Masked Bobwhite Quail which we were able to see in the enclosure located near the visitor center. They were quite shy and stayed under cover while we were there so I wasn't able to get the pictures that I had hoped to get but it was nice seeing them and knowing that because of the Refuge that these highly endangered birds have a fair chance of survival.
There is a grasslands restoration project underway at the refuge in an effort to increase Masked Bobwhite Quail habitat. Most of the trees and shrubs that you see are invasive species that developed due to the use of this place to graze cattle for many, many years.
One of the reasons I like this place so much is it's remote location. It's more than 50 miles south of Tucson down rt. 286 which has more hawks than houses. It is a place where you can travel the ten mile loop called Pronghorn Drive making frequent stops and be able to stand and not hear any human activity just the birds and the wind. Amazing!

A young mother prepares her herbs for sale prior to the fair kicking off around 10:30 A.M. There were quite a few food vendors and many exhibits pertaining to the ALTAR VALLEY and conservation issues in general.
We started our walk past the enclosure that has the endangered Chiricahua Leopard Frog and I was fortunate to catch this one sun bathing. One of the most serious threats to native frogs is the invasion of bull frogs which feed on other smaller frogs. We came across a wet area on our walk that had mesh fencing completely around it and later found out it was an attempt to keep it free of bull frogs as they travel across land to find food and water.

These Cassin's Sparrow photo's are my favorites from the day. There were many sparrows everywhere we went including many White Crowned.

As always we see many hawks and falcons when we travel to BANWR including this Cooper's Hawk. Pole sitters all along the way let us know that the annual influx of buteos and acipitors has begun and we should see many of these birds in the coming months. On this trip we saw Northern Harrier, Red Tailed Hawk, Gray Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Turkey Vulture and some that went unidentified.

The weather here has stayed very warm and I was surprised to see two fauns this late in the season but here is the proof! We saw a total of six mule deer in our travels around the refuge which is always a treat. I really have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to shoot these magnificent creatures.

Baboquivari dominates the skyline here at BANWR and our hikes into Brown Canyon with Richard Conway are some of my best memories here at Buenos Aries.

People came and went and everyone seemed to enjoy the day even though the clouds set in and blocked out the sun for a good part of the day.
The music was excellent and the visitor center had some amazing exhibits. I really enjoyed the snakes and the raptors.
Apparently I wasn't the only one hoping to get that great shot!
Richard and Sara are the backbone of the Friends of Buenos Aries National Wildlife Refuge an organization that would be happy to have you as a member. More information about Friends can be found at: /www.friendsofbanwr.org/
Educating the next generation to love the land and respect the creatures that inhabit these special places will ensure Buenos Aries will survive for years to come.
Mariachi Plata entertained us while we enjoyed our food and checked out some of the exhibits.

A Harris's Hawk has become an education bird because of it's inability to fly from a young age. Info on Harris's Hawks: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Harriss_Hawk/id
We didn't see any Pronghorn today but we did see a bevy of Quail fly up on our walk but identifying them was impossible as they came up out of the grass and flew rapidly away from us before going down in the tall grass never to be seen again. They could have been Gambel's or Montazuma's or they could have been Masked Bobwhite's. I'll have to try harder next time!

Hiding in the grass was this Hyles Lineata. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyles_lineata

More Mule Deer.

These man made teepees are for Masked Bobwhite Quail habitat and can be seen on the road into the refuge. More information on Masked Bobwhite's can be found at: www.seazrocks.net/seazrocks.net/Bobwhite_Program.html