Southeastern Arizona is full of change in the fall and the migration of many bird species to and from the region is part of that change. Sandhill Cranes arrive in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Northern Harriers arrive as well, as Turkey Vultures leave. A kabillion (maybe a zillion) species of sparrows arrive and it’s time to get out your field guide and bone up on those marvelous small gray or brown seed eaters.
The migration of Swainson’s hawks is also part of the great seasonal change. Swainson’s Hawks migrate from as far away as western Canada on their way to the tip of South America. Many of the hawks flying as far as 14,000 miles. Our local Swainson’s join in for the flight to Argentina and we won’t see them until next spring when they come on home to breed and raise some youngsters. It’s all very exciting and I think a field trip to southeastern Arizona in the fall is a good idea.
The riparian woodland where we were hiking is around 6,000 ft. in elevation and I think that may be the upper limits of the...
This is a repetey that I really like. It’s a reminiscence sparked by some photos taken over 60 years ago. My father took the...
Encelia farinosa (brittle bush, incienso) loves rocky hillsides and gravelly desert. And though this native shrub has a large range showing up in the...
