This is our last night in the 48th State of the Union of United States of America. Arizona is 102 years old but to me it is as new as a freshly minted quarter. There is much to be concerned about the state of the State of Arizona. The "populist" government, the outward display of intolerance and bigotry by many elected officials, the struggles of the poor to achieve their simple dreams of education and jobs that pay a fair wage for work performed and a society that is deeply divided along economic and political lines. It is not all doom and gloom. There are many people who are active on both sides of the economic and social divide that are working hard to change things. From my small isolated community in Mesa, where, and I have to keep reminding myself, I reside temporarily, it is hard to be optimistic about the future of Arizona. Water is and will continue to be at the forefront of any major policy decisions in the state. Where to develop, where and where not to farm, how much to divert to recreational activity vs conservation or wildlife habitat. Human migration continues to change the face of the population and with it the laws and policies affecting present minorities in the state.
Will we return? Why will we return? Is our mere presence in Arizona, even for 3 months a year contributing to some of the problems that affect this state? Is our economic contribution, small as it, have a positive or negative impact? Do we have any impact on the politics in the state? The answers are both simple and complex. Yes, we plan on returning to the Valley of the Sun in 2015. As for our impact on the environment we try to live simply. Our "foot print" is small. As for the answers to the other questions, I do not have any answers. We have met many wonderful people in Arizona. All I can do is wish them luck in resolving their issues and hope that they can create a more tolerant society.
Now that I have finished my editorial for this years blog, on to the good stuff..... I last wrote about our "wonderful" experiences at Tubac and Madera Canyon. Yesterday we moved on from Green Valley and birded our way south and east to the city of Sierra Vista. First of all, I had quite naively imagined Sierra Vista as a small, quaint town in the middle of the high desert of southern Arizona. Ok, I got the high desert of southern Arizona part right. What I did not get right was the size of the city and the level of economic activity in the area. Plus, either the people here have discovered the fountain of youth or the city is filled with, yes, young people!!! Having spent almost 3 months in a retirement city, it was quite shocking to all of a sudden be surrounded in stores and restaurants by young men, women and even children. A large part of the economic engine here is the Military Base, Fort Hauchaca. It's big, real big. We feel quite safe here. I doubt we will be attacked by any outside forces. We sleep soundly at night....
As this leg of our return trip to Canada is all about birding I will, finally, get right to our adventures of the last 2 days. First of all some numbers:
12. The number of hours we spent birding in the last 2 days. Like any hobby or activity, if you go at it to hard it is going too start feeling like a job. I think I have gone past that threshold.
4. The number of locations we birded at. Patagonia Lake State Park; Paton's House in Patagonia, Az; San Pedro River Riparian Nation Conservation Area, twice.
113. The total number of species we identified at the 4 locations.
17. The number of "new this year" to us species in the last 2 days.
I mentioned that we birded at Paton's House. This was the residence of the Paton family. Until this year the Paton family owned this property. For many years they invited people into their backyard to view the many birds that lived or transited the area. It became a "hotspot"for birders. A few years ago the Paton family decided that it was time to sell. An owner was not found until this year when the Tucson Audubon Society bought the property with money raised for the purpose. Birders are now assured that this property will be preserved and will remain open to the public for bird viewing. A feel good story for sure.
Dana and I are checking the map for a good route to the Chirachaua National Monument, then on to New Mexico. Tomorrow night we are staying in Williamsburg, New Mexico. The following day we want to spend a few hours at Bosque del Apache, a good birding area located on the Rio Grande River. From there we will continue north to points yet unknown. Weather will be the main decision maker. One thing I know for sure, today is the last 80F day we will see until July and then maybe, maybe not. Time to dig out the pants, gloves and toque.
I am including quite a few photos from the last 2 days, mostly hummingbirds at the feeders at Paton's House. Unfortunately not all are good images and many of the terrific birds we saw I did not get to photograph.
Enjoy the photos. Good bye Arizona.......
Ciao!
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| Female Broad-billed Hummingbird. Note the accessories she is wearing on her head.... |
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| Female Broad-billed in flight |
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| Male Broad-billed. Does not look thrilled to be photographed..... |
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| Black-throated Hummingbird |
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| Elegant Trogon at Patagonia State Park. |
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| Green-tailed Towhee. Sitting pretty. |
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| Red-tailed hawk. I can never have too many "hawks in flight" photos.... |
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| Rufous Hummingbird |
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| Violet-crowned Hummingbird |
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