Backroads Day 4 - Saguaro NP East - 26 Feb 2020
At breakfast folks were discussing whether they should attempt the ride today (Cactus Loop 26.8 miles / 1560 ft elevation). Robin and I decided to hold off riding, and instead do some hiking up at Saguaro National Park East where we'd wait for the die-hard bikers for lunch. Riders would report extremely tough conditions especially in areas where headwinds were prominent.
We took the van ride with Abby to the Visitor Center of Saguaro National Park East and had about 30 minutes to look around while she assisted the riders. A small walkway adjacent to the roadside gave me opportunity to take a few photos and chase birds, particularly Cactus Wrens, Rufous-winged Sparrows, and a semi-cooperative Verdin!
Saguaro NP--East--Rincon Mountain Visitor Center (not Cactus Loop Dr.), Pima, Arizona, US
Feb 26, 2020 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
3 species
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 1
Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Feb 26, 2020 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
3 species
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 1
Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Abby then picked us up and drove to the Cactus Loop area of the park where we hiked the hillside next to the parking lot where we'd have lunch. Winds were significantly lighter up here, and sunny skies made for a pleasant morning. I would spend it photographing the landscape and hoping to see some birds.
We're about a week away from the first spring blooms in the desert. But, there is evidence of flowers already, and I spent some time grabbing some early bloomers. A couple of neat websites I found while trying to ID some of these critters include wildflowersearch.org, which provides a pictorial list of wildflowers in whatever region you're in at whatever time of the year, and inaturalist.org that provides animal/birds of the Saguaro National Park. Some tentative ID's are provided below (please correct if you please!)
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| some Photoshop liberty of lichens |
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| unknown |
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Pleopsidium chlorophanum - lime burst lichen? or
Lecanora novomexicana - rim lichen?
|
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| Amsinckia menziesii - Menzie's fiddleneck? |
A few birds were frequenting the area. A Curve-billed Thrasher would occasionally call out its "Wheat-Wheat" call, while a Cactus Wren chattered from nearby Cane Cholla. I spotted a possible junco of some sort; it was a bird w/ a sparrow's body but dark, ashy head and dark eye.
A Rock Wren made its presence known across the canyon as it flit from one massive boulder to the next. I could only take long-distance record pics.
Overhead a pair of White-throated Swifts were chattering as they foraged for insects. I created this composite image of them.
I then returned to the parking lot for lunch, where the Backroads crew created a wonderful picnic meal complete w/ wine, cheeses, salads, and deli meats. As we chatted a Canyon Towhee made an appearance on one of the dumpsters. A Cactus Wren would appear about 10 feet away from the picnic table but I was too slow with the camera.
With about 20 minutes before driving back to the Hacienda Del Sol I wandered over to a picnic area where a family was eating; there was faunal activity afoot! I found a Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Black-throated Sparrow foraging and chasing each other in trail surrounding me, while a Harris' Antelope Squirrel scampered through the area. This quick burst of activity was a nice end to lunch!
A Rock Wren made its presence known across the canyon as it flit from one massive boulder to the next. I could only take long-distance record pics.
Overhead a pair of White-throated Swifts were chattering as they foraged for insects. I created this composite image of them.
I then returned to the parking lot for lunch, where the Backroads crew created a wonderful picnic meal complete w/ wine, cheeses, salads, and deli meats. As we chatted a Canyon Towhee made an appearance on one of the dumpsters. A Cactus Wren would appear about 10 feet away from the picnic table but I was too slow with the camera.
With about 20 minutes before driving back to the Hacienda Del Sol I wandered over to a picnic area where a family was eating; there was faunal activity afoot! I found a Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Black-throated Sparrow foraging and chasing each other in trail surrounding me, while a Harris' Antelope Squirrel scampered through the area. This quick burst of activity was a nice end to lunch!
Saguaro NP--East--Cactus Forest Overlook, Pima, Arizona, US
Feb 26, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
7 species
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) 2
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 3
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) 2 Thrasher with distinct downcurved bill calling a loud, distinct "Whit-Wheet". Gray w/ smudgy-spotted chest, orange eye. Canyon area of Cactus Loop Trail and campground.
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 1
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2 Pale-gray towhee with orange cap, buffy throat and orange-red eye (not dark), pale orange vent. More gray than brown (California Towhee). PHotos.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Feb 26, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
7 species
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) 2
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 3
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) 2 Thrasher with distinct downcurved bill calling a loud, distinct "Whit-Wheet". Gray w/ smudgy-spotted chest, orange eye. Canyon area of Cactus Loop Trail and campground.
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 1
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2 Pale-gray towhee with orange cap, buffy throat and orange-red eye (not dark), pale orange vent. More gray than brown (California Towhee). PHotos.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Abby drove us back to Tuscon where we'd take a short afternoon nap before meeting for drinks and dinner at Sandy's Vista, which is the patio area on the north side of the Grill at Hacienda Del Sol. After all, it was our last night together. Tomorrow we'd hike or ride Sabino Canyon before lunch and official end of the trip.
We were supposed to have a local astronomer meet us after dinner for some star gazing, but a last-second emergency cancelled his visit. I decided to walk outside the grounds to attempt a few star photos. Camera issues and star trails were plaguing me, but I managed a couple of captures.
A great day!
