Continental, Madera Canyon

Today I had an enjoyable day in and around Madera Canyon with Kristen Heimerl of Cincinnati, Ohio. We found nine hummingbird species among other exciting highlights.

As is often the case, a few PURPLE MARTINS were flitting over the desert along I-19 south of Tucson. The desert to the west of Continental School had BLACK-THROATED and RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS, COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD, a couple of migrant TREE SWALLOWS, BLUE GROSBEAKS and the usual desert species.

Curve-billed Thrasher

House Finch

CASSIN’S and BOTTERI’S SPARROWS were up and singing around milepost nine, while a presumably breeding LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE there was my third this month.

Mt. Hopkins, one side of Madera Canyon

Between Proctor Road and Whitehouse Picnic Area we found BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW, SUMMER TANAGER and recently fledged PAINTED REDSTART.

Summer Tanager

White-breasted Nuthatch

There was a good selection of wildlife in general throughout the canyon.

Golden-headed Scallopwing

Fungi

Cactus

Ornate Tree Lizard

Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard

Giant Agave Bug

We found a dragonfly which turned out to be a new one for me, a Spot-winged Glider.

Spot-winged Glider

Madera Kubo Cabins had a nice selection of birds, including BERYLLINE and VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS, SUMMER and HEPATIC TANAGERS, BRONZED COWBIRD, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and PLUMBEOUS VIREO. A bit like buses, after waiting for nine years to see one, I saw my second BLACK BEAR of the month, another one-year-old. It ambled across the road right in front of us as we walked uphill from Kubo. It was soaking wet, having taken a bath in the few pools of water along the otherwise dry creek.

Black Bear

Black Bear

We stopped briefly at Chuparosa Inn. As we pulled up we were shown two BLACK-TAILED RATTLESNAKES right by the road, which was thrilling. I got lots of photos which I have included in a separate blog post.

We added a fine male LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD, along with an equally dapper SCOTT’S ORIOLE. The other hummingbirds present were BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED, BLACK-CHINNED, MAGNIFICENT and RUFOUS. Thanks Luis!

Lucifer Hummingbird

Lucifer and Black-chinned Hummingbird

Magnificent and Lucifer Hummingbirds

Scott’s Oriole

On the way back out of the canyon, we found a tarantula on the road, unfortunately dead.

Tarantula (former)

Another fabulous day in SE Arizona!